Jalopnik: Why the Dipstick is Dying

[RobertSmalls]

Originally Posted by Piwoslaw

A few years ago Fiat showed a prototype (not sure if it made it into production) in which the hood didn't open, only the grille would fold open for access to 3-4 things (add washer fluid, etc.).

Which reminds me of this trend, where all the interesting parts are covered:

I used to check my oil dipstick every thousand miles or so, but the result was always the same. Now I do it right before and right after an oil change, just to keep an eye on oil consumption, which is predictably slow. I'd rather have a level sensor, and an X-gauge that reads it.

[gone-ot]

...and then there's that 'Dipstick' guy who runs around 'whooping' people about a synthetic oil?

[Christ]

Think with your dipstick, Jimmy.

My wife's Saturn doesn't have a transmission fluid dipstick. The fill procedure is the same as filling a differential... fill until it comes back out the plug hole. Of course, it's difficult to do this when you're filling from the top of the case, and the plug hole is fairly inconspicuously placed on the lower section of the transaxle.

And there is no sensor to tell me about the fluid level, either.

[Frank Lee]

IMHO dipsticks fall squarely into the K.I.S.S. principle.

[datsundude91]

I drive an "ancient" or at least old car by today's standards. sure IT might be an 1981 Honda Civic wagon with only 60,000 original miles, no A/C, no power steering, manual transmission, no power windows or door locks, and no computer.

But I love the thing because it is a breeze to work on. Nothing to go bad, nothing is "power" powered.
As an amateur mechanic I love being able to pop the hood and actually check the oil level with a dipstick.....heck, I even change the oil myself when it needs it.

It constantly amazes me how few people know how to, or are willing to learn how to change a tire, let alone check the oil level.

[bgd73]

all the different oils out there, maine and arctic thermals, viscosity changes, expansions, and density changes...water in the fluid, other stuff in the fluid, gas washing changing levels...

knowing fuel injected is for and designed by down syndrome already, I wonder what the wannabe smarts did with the electronics now.

can we just go to war? my dainty "hands on" fist versus ...


we are runting to a hermaphrodite society as we know it.

I hope frank lee quotes me.

[jkp1187]

Originally Posted by texanidiot25

A level sending unit is such a simple piece, I doubt there will be a mass of problems with it, like some are suggesting. In reality, what percentage of fuel sending units actually go bad? The pumps die before a variable resistor does.. Of the things to measure on a guage, I have no complaint at oil level. You don't pop your radiator cap to check coolant temp do you?

And those of us who've had a GM "W"-Body with the Buick 3800 engine, will now raise their hands. Sending unit went, fuel pump still doing fine. Luckily there was a "fuel used" calculator in the on-board computer, and that plus judicious use of the trip odometer, and it wasn't a big deal.

(Not that I'm complaining - despite the occasional fuel sending unit going, or intermediate steering shaft needing lubed, the ol' Impala was a great car, and I gave it to my dad. It's 10 years old with 150,000 miles on it and still going strong -- he just drove it down and back to Florida, actually. I kept my wife's 2006 Pontiac G6 GT. I kind of wish I'd kept the Impala and given him the G6. given the glitches I've had with the Pontiac, but that's another story...)

[jkp1187]

Originally Posted by Clev

The more information presented to me in the driver's seat, the better, but I'd still want the dipstick to measure when filling (instead of having to get in and out of the car a few times.)

Then again, do a Google search for "leaking dipstick tube." Maybe we're better off without.

Ouch. I hadn't thought of that.

It isn't as simple as getting in and out of the car a few times to see the oil level -- the display on the BMW on-board computer won't register the oil level until the oil is at operating temperature, so you pretty much have to take a 10 minute drive before you'll know for sure.

That said, it is nice to just be able to check it whenever I'm driving around...

[cfg83]

jkp1187 -

In the olden daze I didn't look at my dipstick either. But, now with my olden car, I know I would have destroyed the engine without it. That's due in-part to my engine's oil-burning design.

RobertSmalls -

I can't stand the plastic engine covers either. When I was in Europe I was anxious to take pictures of my company-car Renault Megane diesel, and I opened the hood to see meaningless plastic covers.

I will miss the dipstick. Every day new cars become less and less attractive to me.

CarloSW2

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by bgd73

can we just go to war? my dainty "hands on" fist versus ...

we are runting to a hermaphrodite society as we know it.

Your wish is my command!