Agree Joe; the value of the forum is usually the collective opinion and experience of the contributors. That helps to tone down exaggerated and outrageous opinions, as well as the single unique experience of one contributor which totally differs from the norm.
However, the “expert opinion” has value in settling a difference of opinion by stating “how the world really works” under the circumstances of the problem in question. Since the operating environment is critical, it often takes a specialist to explain why a certain problem exists, and what the best solution is.
For instance, when Consumer Reports did an oil study in New York taxis, they automatically assumed (incorrectly) that this aplication was “severe” and found that any oil would do, and long drain intervals were OK. CR in this case was not an “expert”, and should have consulted with reputable lube engineers what really severe applications were; such as extreme heat, frequent cold starts and heavy loads.
A naive reader of this article may conclude that any cheap dino oil in a light grade would be OK in his vehicle to haul a heavy tralier across the Mojave Desert in July. Or that frequent cold starts and short trips in Minnesota would still allow 7500 miles oil changes
With that in mind, the average consumer is as much an expert in his own frame of reference. This is why a forum format instead of “Ask the expert” makes sense and why two valid opinions can be in opposition. “This is the way it is for me, that’s the way it is for you.”
All of us are old enough to have survived “expert opinions” and re think their advice to accommodate our own situations. And, this forum is an excellent reference with it’s varied opinions from all to reach that end while celebrating and using the opinions of the few who are indeed experts in their areas.
Case in point being the responses to the “test questions” on driver safety given by experts in a previous post. If some of us followed the implied advice to the letter without account to our individual circumstances to of all these questions, we may not be alive today.
Well said Joe and Doc. Especially the comment abuot “novices asking simple questions that challange our assumptions”. “Experts” challanging one another is another great source. If forces us to think through what we’ve claimed…often with surprizing results.
Historical assumptions challanged:
the earth is flat
the sun revolves around the earth
we’re the center of the universe
the universe is a vast emptiness
the atom is the smallest particle
planetary systems (suns with planets) are rare
life cannot exist without sunlight (recently changed: see Bob Ballard’s discoveries on tube worms)
the [federal] government shall make no law abridging state’s rights (threw that in to see if y’all were awake).
add to the list the apropos Infinite Monkey Theorem
1996 ? Robert Wilensky once jocularly remarked, “We’ve all heard that a million monkeys banging on a million typewriters will eventually reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the Internet, we know this is not true.”
One great value of this forum is to expose bogus claims by product sellers, as well as collectively identify wrongly held beliefs about the benefits of certain products.
The placebo effect is alive and well in medical as well as automotive products.
The bulk of my experience has been VW, SAAB, Subaru, Honda, Nissan, and a bit of Fiat; with the latter contributing greatly to the demise of that multi-line dealership.
However, I’ve got quite a bit of experience with both 2 and 4 wheeled vehicles and even vehicles with wings.
Don’t think I’d be interested though. Some of the misinformation on this forum keeps me frustrated and irritated enough; the main reason I’ve been easing out of this forum a bit.
Hmmm…I worry about formalizing this, to the extent that if someone follows an ‘expert’s’ advice and it doesn’t work/breaks/someone gets hurt, lawyers may follow…‘expert’ has a very specific meaning in legal circles…
A so-called expert advisor is not an “expert witness” as used in a court of law. Expert here refers to sufficient expertise in a certain field to recomend what appears to be the best solution to a problem as stated by a poster.
I believe it is important here to ask more questions up fron when an OP asks for advice. Ususally there is some very important information left out.
I normally give my friends and colleagues several options with cost estimates so they can judge for themslves what course of action to take.
I’ll take the opposite view somtimes. We sometimes have to monitor our so called “expert opinions”. Most of us have a difficult time taking the advice from an “expert” who stands to gain from their opinions. The Tire Warehouse employee expert, the Toyota mechanic and my stock broker have disappointed more than a few with their expert advice. They may be an engineer, but shilling for the oil company or a particular car company while under their employment or collecting a retirement check from them makes their advice in directly related areas more than a little suspect. I’d listen to people here in a heartbeat who share a common set of circumstances before a distant, bias expert.
Holy Cow… This ‘brain pool’ is full of pontificating windbags… {If you’re not one, then I’m not talking about you, LOL) How about, use some good old fashion American know-how and make this ‘phone an expert’ thing work?
I am no ‘expert’, but I can fix cars, so if you want me to sign up on the ‘expert’ list, I’d love to help! That’s really what it’s all about. None of us are perfect, and none of us will ever get a perfect diagnosis every time. I’ve have over 30 years of experience, both in a garage, and under a ‘shade tree’. I have owned over 70 automobiles, most I have repaired extensively in some way. I currently am interested in, and know a lot about, Gen 2 Plymouth Minivans, VW Jetta Diesels, and older Jeeps. If you want an normal guy, with a college education and a whole bunch of knowledge of cars; mostly from personal experience, then sign me up…
We’re more like a social club that all throw in ideas to try to help people with car problems…and sometimes marital problems. We learn from one another and we learn from the questioners and the novices. We step (invited) into the lives of strangers for a moment to offer assistance. The open format allows us to keep one another honest. IMHO creating a panel of “experts” would adversely impact the free flow of thoughts that makes this forum my favorite.
Besides, the true experts float to the top and become obvious anyway. We have among us an expert on tires, and expert on transmissions, an expert on american muscle “iron”, a few foreign car experts, and experts in other specific areas. We all know who they are and respect them, while at the same time learning from them…sometimes by challenging them. And we respect the novices (like me) and the questioners also.
I like the format as-is. Everyone is treated with equal respect regardless of their level of expertise. I personally would vote against creating a panel of experts.
Agree that this should not be a “formal” and structured system. I too would prefer an informal recognition that certain induviduals had in-depth knowledge in specific areas in addition to having good general car knowledge. That would focus any discussion and problem solving in the right direction.
So far, this seems to be happening; compared to 2 years ago there are fewer exaggerated rants about certain cars and products. Most posters now agree that both US cars and foreign cars have their good and bad points.
The "expert’ quagmire. What I can add that is as a pro auto mechanic confidence in yourself is of major importance. I am not talking about being delusional but when the SA turns to you and asks "can I tell them to come and get it at 5 o’clock you had better be able to say yes and not hem and haw, be decisive and believe in yourself.
Ever called in to one of those “expert mechanic” services? they put their pants on the same way we do.
With the form we get so questions presented in it is sometimes difficult to give any answer but 'see a mechanic"
Let’s take home AC work. If you were an AC expert would your response to any question involving the recover,evac,charge process or even diagnostic work be to take it to a mechanic?
When we get the “Who is responsible” type questions whould an expert withold giving an answer? and would he be correct in doing this?
