The hardest vehicle to work on...
Back in the `80's, when life in the automotive world was sunshine and roses, I bought a 1969 Ford Ranchero GT with a 390 CI V8 that needed a tune-up. Paid $500 to the original owner.
After replacing the points in about ten minutes, and the air filter in five minutes, I embarked on changing the spark plugs. I soon discovered that the driver's side rear plug required, according to my Chilton's Manual, that the motor mount be removed, and a jack deployed under the motor, in order to raise the motor about 2 inches. This would then allow access to the #8 plug due to clearance issues with the brake booster and steering column.
Back in the `80's, I thought this to be ridiculous.
Which it was. But in today's increasingly insane world of nonsensical reasoning and engineering, I continue to come across situations and engineering that defies all reason and sanity.
Today, I decided to check the air filter of my 2007 Chevy HHR.
Now, this vehicle was purchased new by my father and was promoted as a "retro" vehicle that evoked the styling of a `40's Chevy delivery sedan. Opening the hood reveals a very simplistic and spartan engine bay with a 2.0 liter 4cyl "Ecotec" engine that puts out more horsepower than any 6 or 8 cyl motor in the `40's.
However, checking the air filter proved beyond my capability as a seasoned engine re-builder, shade-tree mechanic, and person with above-average mechanical aptitude and abilities.
After studying the engine bay for a few minutes and poking around, I could not figure out how to access the air filter.
Let that sink in for a few minutes...
a 52 year old man, with decades of mechanical experience, years of building hot rods, and a love of mechanical engineering, could not figure out how to change the air filter on a 2007 GM vehicle...
I finally had to relent to searching YouTube on how to do it.
After watching the video, I do not feel bad one bit regarding my intelligence or mechanical aptitude.
The GM engineers who designed the air intake system should be ashamed.
No. They should be fired. Then brought into the public square in shackles and flogged and spat upon by the public for their absolute idiocy and failure in engineering.
What used to be a wingnut and 5 seconds was turned into two hand tools and three different processes in order to check a freaking air filter.
This is a perfect example of how America is failing and devolving into a 3rd world country right before our eyes.