I'm not Canadian. And though I do know that the common term is the metric system, having worked in Engineering and much more frequently used metric measurements over imperial measurements, I'm very familiar with IEE/ASTM SI 10, so I've always referred to metric measurements as a whole, as SI. But I don't know why Canadians write S.I., as SI actually stands for International System of Units, so it doesn't directly abbreviate into S.I.
Struggle to commit to a 10,000Km oil change interval
- Thread starter TRX200SX
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Sounds like General Motors in the '80's. I hate working on GM cars that are half metric and half Imperial.
CleanSump
Site Donor 2026
Just one of those "I wonder why" things.
CleanSump
Site Donor 2026
My Mother had a an Olds Cutlass Supreme that was like that. Really frustrating at times. Too big, no too tight. Swap tools back and forth working on the same component.
And Canadians measure level with a bubble stick, whiten your coffee, drink homo milk and like The Tragically Hip.
I jest about our awesome neighbors.
Patman
Staff member
I don’t know any Canadian who refers to the measurement system as anything other than metric
Kinda feel that way driving my JDM car here in the states. Speedometer in km/h, had to memorize that 40km/hr is almost exactly 25mph, 60km/hr is close enough to 35mph, 80km/hr is close enough to 45mph, 100km/hr is 62mph which should be speeding on a 55mph country road but around here you'll still have an angry line of traffic behind you if you try to go that slow. Nice to get in my Chevy pickup and the numbers on the speedometer match the numbers on the signs.
Still haven't gotten used to the celsius thermometer, can't tell you what means what other than 0-32 and 100-212. I know 0 is hoodie weather, 15-18 is comfy, 25 is too warm and 30+ is death.
My Hawaiian mother in law says to add 10 degrees to your temperature ratings.... and 0 is also death.
I worked for Canadians for 5 years, then bought a car from Canada that had a metric speedometer. I can convert with the best of them. It’s always sunny and 20 inside, we used to say up there.We started learning S.I. in Jr High, about five years before Canada started going over. (IIRC, speed limits and distance signs in 1976, new car odometers 1976 and 1977, and everything else January 1, 1979.)
Anyway, I'm pretty much "bilingual", using either S.I. or Imperial as appropriate. Two exceptions are pressure, where I always use PSI rather than kPa, and torque, where I prefer ft-lbs to N-m.
In fact, perhaps I'm a bit trilingual, as I'm also OK with U.S. gallons.
Working in Ag in Canada is fun because they use both Imperial and Metric up there.
Patman
Staff member
80 kmh is 50 mph actually
I said "close enough." When the speed limit is 45mph, I can go 80kmh and no cop will pull me over.
CleanSump
Site Donor 2026
Actually, I can push a couple of buttons and change the digital output in our cars. Plus, they have 2 sets of numbers on the analog dials.
We started learning S.I. in Jr High, about five years before Canada started going over. (IIRC, speed limits and distance signs in 1976, new car odometers 1976 and 1977, and everything else January 1, 1979.)
Anyway, I'm pretty much "bilingual", using either S.I. or Imperial as appropriate. Two exceptions are pressure, where I always use PSI rather than kPa, and torque, where I prefer ft-lbs to N-m.
In fact, perhaps I'm a bit trilingual, as I'm also OK with U.S. gallons.
I use this app with great success for years:
Apple
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/units-plus-converter/id593306620
Android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pericamac12.unitsplus&hl=en_US
CleanSump
Site Donor 2026
I still think measures based on the length of the king's nose and how far he can reach make more sense.
If for you money is not a problem, go for Amsoil 0W-30 Signature Series, you will be more than ok at 10.000km Oil Change.
I understand your logic and a lotta people subscribe to this routine.
I am really happy with 4,500 to 5,500 mile OCIs with quality lubricants.
Heck, I don't even know how much the boutique fluids go for!
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- 16
Ah, yes. My ancient AJS British motorcycle used Whitworth measurements. Can no longer even explain what that was! Using metric measure became baked in for me with VW Bug use and Japanese motorcycles. I was delighted to see that my 2018 Lexus RX had, on the setup screen, a way to switch the display from English to Metric. However, on our trip into BC for our 50th anniversary, I realized that my head would make the translation automatically and I didn't bother changing it. Kept my gas consumption log entries consistent by just doing the math the one time we had to fill up North of the Border. A very pleasant trip. Canadains are nice people and Banff was a real treat. Bison strogonoff was yummy at the Rimrock Hotel......We started learning S.I. in Jr High, about five years before Canada started going over. (IIRC, speed limits and distance signs in 1976, new car odometers 1976 and 1977, and everything else January 1, 1979.)
Anyway, I'm pretty much "bilingual", using either S.I. or Imperial as appropriate. Two exceptions are pressure, where I always use PSI rather than kPa, and torque, where I prefer ft-lbs to N-m.
In fact, perhaps I'm a bit trilingual, as I'm also OK with U.S. gallons.
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2021
- Messages
- 16
The Swedes were guilty of this in the 70's! Volvo 142's had both English and metric fasteners for a time. Techs making the transition had to buy a bunch more tools. Snap-on loved it.Sounds like General Motors in the '80's. I hate working on GM cars that are half metric and half Imperial.
CleanSump
Site Donor 2026
A note to German manufacturing. Mauser, German Government arsenals, and other German manufacturers imported American Pratt & Whitney machines to modernize manufacturing in the 1870s onward. They continued to use Whitworth threads measured in inches even after adopting the metric system for logistics reasons.
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