Technology and lubricants. The 1990 domestic automobiles

This paper reviews the latest-model automobiles introduced by Chrysler, General Motors and Ford. Engines continue the trend toward greater sophistication. Fuel injection is nearly universal. Single-overhead camshaft (SOHC) engines are common, while dual-over-head-camshaft (DOHC) engines are becoming more numerous. The V6 engine has becoming the American workhorse. This year, Chrysler offers a turbocharged engine with a new, Variable Nozzle Turbocharger (VNT), which reportedly cuts turbo lag significantly to improve low-speed response. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is the norm; very few new cars are rear-wheel drive. Full-time, 4-wheel-drive (4WD) systems are slowly becoming available for on-road vehicles. For 1990, there are now new lubricants, but the application of existing lubricants has changed. SG motor oils are recommended for most cars this year. GL-5 gear oils are used in a few manual transaxles, typically in cars imported from Japan. Most manual Transaxles now use a motor oil, automatic transmission fluid, or a proprietary lubricant.