Originally Posted By: AuthorEditor
There seems to be a definite trend toward making cars harder and harder for DIY mechanics to take care of. It's not a conspiracy, just the way it is. I'm frequently surprised though by how there seems to be no thought to access to common maintenance items, meaning that dealers will be spending a lot of time on what should be routine tasks.
I agree with you on this.
In most cases, I think the bottom line is just manufacturing cost and as long as maintenance is possible, no matter how difficult or dirty, the design criteria is met to allow maintenance.
Just look under a new vehicle like the GMC Acadia, not only does a routine oil change dump oil all over frame members and the front motor mount, and the oil filter is no more than 2 inches from the front cat converter, but there is an amazing patchwork quilt of sheetmetal braces, afterthought unibody stiffeners and AC lines/etc just hanging under there waiting for trouble.
Given that most manufacturers were fighting just to stay solvent a few years ago, it makes sense they have to kick out quick designs that are inexpensive to build.