Miata Mailing List: May 1995, Message #167
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   From: jared.stack@amp.com (Jared Stack)
Subject: Redline MTL survey results
   Date: Thu, 4 May 1995 14:08:31 -0400

This is the results of the Redline MTL survey. The survey was conducted
from 4/28 to 5/4. The survey questions are printed at the end.

There were 16 participants in this informal survey. The average MTL use
mileage of all the participants was around 20k. The lowest mileage reported
was 500mi., the highest was 83200. 15 of the participants said they could
tell a difference in day to day driving. 13 of the participants said they
could tell a difference in cold weather driving (the other 3 participants
had not driven in cold weather). 25% of respondants stated that they had
experienced backup switch failure while using MTL. Although not a survey
question, 15.6% stated that they had switch failure prior to use of Redline
MTL. 1.5 people (one wasn't sure) or 37.5% of those that reported a switch
failure during use of MTL also had a failure prior to MTL use.

The mileage breakdown of MTL users can be divided into two camps, low and
modest mileage. This is somewhat reflected in the overall standard
deviation of approx. 26k miles. 10 respondents had used MTL for 10k miles
or less. The remaining 6 had used MTL for 20k or more. There were no
responses between 10k-20k miles. Of the low mileage group, only 1 person
experienced backup switch failure, or 10%. Of the modest mileage group, 3
people or 50% of this group had switch failure, some being multiple
failures.

My motivation for this little survey was to see if there was a correlation
between the use of Redline MTL and incidences of backup light switch
failures. For the mechanically impaired members of our listening audience,
the backup switch is attached to the transmission. This survey was prompted
by the experiences of switch failures of a BMW owner who had used MTL for a
high number of miles. A non-conducting film would seep past the o-ring and
form on the electrical contact of the switch causing the failure.

It was pointed out to me that a large number of the early 90-91 Miatas had
backup light switch failures and there may be a tech bulletin issued on
this subject. Someone can check the tech bulletin registry and report to
the group. Unfortunately, I did not ask for overall mileage or model year
during my survey. BTW, the survey is over; don't send me your mileage!! :-)

You can draw your own conclusions. Thanks to all participants.

Survey questionaire follows. Questionaire is corrected for spelling :-)
SURVEY IS OVER.

I am taking an informal survey among Miata owners who use Redline MTL. Send
responses direct to me. Do not post replies to the listserver unless you
wish to discuss something. I will summarize and post results next Friday
5/5.

1. How many miles have you used Redline MTL?

2. Could you tell a difference in day to day driving? (y/n)

3. Could you tell a difference in cold weather driving? (y/n)

4. Have you had any backup light switch failures while using MTL? (y/n)

Jared Stack
Classic Red, '91B