Should the U.S. auto industry and road system convert to the metric system?
07-02-16, 06:47 AM
#1
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Should the U.S. auto industry and road system convert to the metric system?
There have been a number of calls in the past (and even some present bills) to convert the U.S. system of auto-specs and roadways from inches/feet/gallons/miles/MPH, etc..... to the metric system currently in use in most of the rest of the world? We, of course, have already done that, to some extent, with the use of engine-displacement in liters (as opposed to the former cubic inches), and the use of some metric-sized nuts/bolts/hardware on the vehicles. But most of our basic measurements on both vehicles and roads are still in the traditional English system. Auto manufacturers argue (with perhaps some merit) that this complicates parts-systems/design, requires extra time and effort in engineering, and ultimately increases cost of production. Of course, this would also beg the question if Britain, Japan, and Australia should convert to left-hand drive vehicles and roadways to also conform to most of the rest of the world......though Britain's recent vote to leave the EU makes that even less likely.
The pros and cons of each, of course, are quite complex, and I can't explain all the issues here (nor would I try to). But I thought it would be an interesting thread to at least discuss and get some of your opinions on it.
The pros and cons of each, of course, are quite complex, and I can't explain all the issues here (nor would I try to). But I thought it would be an interesting thread to at least discuss and get some of your opinions on it.
Last edited by mmarshall; 07-02-16 at 06:56 AM.
07-02-16, 07:10 AM
#2
Its going to be a huge expense, and other industries will need to convert as well (construction, manufacturing, etc). Quite frankly, its not that difficult to familiarize yourself with both systems - much simpler than trying to convert.
On the other hand, I do wish Farengheit system would be abandoned and we would switch to Celsius.
On the other hand, I do wish Farengheit system would be abandoned and we would switch to Celsius.
07-02-16, 10:01 AM
#5
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
we should, but oddly the brits, while having gone metric for everything else (including liters for gas) did NOT go metric for the roads.
it's weird to drive from the republic or ireland into northern ireland and go from km to mi just like that.
it's weird to drive from the republic or ireland into northern ireland and go from km to mi just like that.
07-02-16, 11:40 AM
#6
07-03-16, 01:21 PM
#7
Marshall, just about any newer domestic car built in the past 20 years or so is going to have metric size bolts on it. Granted there are some holdovers, like your 90's Chevy trucks and vans that still had the 350 SBC V8 that had some standard size bolts on it.
As for converting to the metric system, it will never happen. People hate change and quite frankly this country doesn't need to convert to the metric system. We are the largest economy in the world, its not like we're some little squat of land with 5 million people using an oddball system.
As for converting to the metric system, it will never happen. People hate change and quite frankly this country doesn't need to convert to the metric system. We are the largest economy in the world, its not like we're some little squat of land with 5 million people using an oddball system.
Last edited by Aron9000; 07-03-16 at 01:40 PM.
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07-03-16, 01:30 PM
#8
Lexus Fanatic
No, I like my miles just fine.
07-03-16, 03:41 PM
#9
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
As for converting to the metric system, it will never happen. People hate change and quite frankly this country doesn't need to convert to the metric system. We are the largest economy in the world, its not like we're some little squat of land with 5 million people using an oddball system.
07-03-16, 04:50 PM
#10
Lexus Champion
As an engineer, I do like the metric system, but as a tax payer, no way do I want to cover the astronomical cost of the change for no real benefit.
07-03-16, 06:32 PM
#11
Lexus Champion
07-03-16, 07:18 PM
#12
Lexus Champion
And, in a few years time, when all cars have adopted the virtual, reconfigurable instrument displays that right now are proliferating in the German makes, switching between English and Metric systems of measurement will be but a button push away.
07-03-16, 08:18 PM
#13
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
07-04-16, 05:49 AM
#14
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
With our crumbling infrastructure, it's hard to argue against that.....except that I don't think that tax dollars are the only solution. It's large, heavy trucks and buses that do much of the pavement damage (along with winter salt and freeze/thaw cycles, of course)....so, IMO, the companies that operate those large heavy vehicles and profit from them should shoulder a significant part of the cost, not just the taxpayers.
07-04-16, 05:50 AM
#15
