Hmm .. a quote ...

"Along with the oil, the pod contains electronics that monitor flow, usage and quality. For example, it delivers less oil when the engine is cold, to ensure optimum performance and lower emissions. "

So, additional costs (undoubtedly) for the electonics and monitoring hardware/software. Less oil when the engine is cold to help with emissions - but certainly not to help with engine longevity, as that's when engines need max lubrication.

In addition to which, the 'pod' seems to be at the top of the engine, meaning that all the crud is left at the bottom.

Of course, all this assumes we won't be driving around in electric cars with 2,000 miles recharge intervals, doesn't it.

Cracking idea! I can see that taking off big time.

I wouldn't be so sure - its essentially a big inkjet cartridge with oil in it. How often do people have problems with ink cartridges on printers, whether they are well used (like those at work) or not (like mine at home). Never work properly, you always have to fiddle with them and they leak.

Funny how my company done the consultancy work for Aston Martin and not a mention in the story.

I wasn't involved in the project myself but we had the car for three months, designed the system (that looks similar to the one shown in the video). And drove the car almost non stop for three months clocking up loads of miles.

What happens if it needs a top up? Or will the standard acceptable oil use rate move up from whatever dubious figure most manufacturers state?

That is something I'd like to know. I don't trust electronic oil level indicators, I've driven too many vehicles where it has gone wrong. Luckily they also had dispsticks so was easy to check that it was a faulty instrument rather than a real problem.

The video states that it can be done without the car being on a ramp but, I can't see the advantage as other parts of the service are going to require the car to be put on a ramp anyway.

I like the way the chap being questioned said it would cost no more than an oil change currently does, Now factor in reduced labour cost and it means this 'oil pod' is going to ccost more than a gallon of oil and a filter.

It reminds me of that dulux paintpod thing.

It is an attempt to lock the owner into very, very expensive manufacturer only servicing., very much along the lines of ink printer cartridges, which as most should know the price the ink costs more than gold by weight. Plus the obvious benefits to the manufacturer of forcing users to change when the manufacturer says so. Unlike printer cartridges, there will be no alternative, no "compatible replacements", no refilling or resetting. Ecologically very dumb, financially disastrous and no real benefit to an owner. Garages fitting these will have to add £100 a pop to compensate for lost business, so no savings in labour.

If car manufacturers wanted, they could introduce oversized dry or combined wet/dry sumps, oversized main oil filters and superfine bypass filters, along with simple filter monitoring. Stick in twice the quantity of highest quality oil and along with the excellent oil quality sensors now available youcd be able to have many users go 50,000 miles/4 years or longer between oil changes.

Of course their servicing partners wouldnt be happy and it will never happen.

Edited by brum on 17/10/2015 at 14:18