Unlike BMW,will Lexus keep the oil dipstick?
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 0
From: International
Lack of a dipstick is not gonna stop me from buying a car, I have a dipstick so I check the oil maybe once every oil change but I have changed the oil in my cars and never even bothered to look at the dipstick
My new 300c has a tire sensors that tells me the exact tire pressure in all 4 tires thats *****in, I will never use a tire pressure gauge again, so bring on the onboard dash monitors that you can flip through to view to the status of everything on the car, technology is about moving forward
My new 300c has a tire sensors that tells me the exact tire pressure in all 4 tires thats *****in, I will never use a tire pressure gauge again, so bring on the onboard dash monitors that you can flip through to view to the status of everything on the car, technology is about moving forward
Some cars had some "headlights suggested" display on the gauge, there was a light sensor wired to detect the environmental light wired to the "headlights suggested" display but it didnt do anything to turn on the lights
thats what happens when you get engineers trying to be too cute and too clever who are out of touch with reality
what does free maintenance have to do with this, not everyone has oodles of free time to screw around at a dealership because the only way of accurately knowing the oil level of your engine is gone. Have to drive to the dealer to check on how much oil I have in a car? Got to be kidding me
thats what happens when you get engineers trying to be too cute and too clever who are out of touch with reality
what does free maintenance have to do with this, not everyone has oodles of free time to screw around at a dealership because the only way of accurately knowing the oil level of your engine is gone. Have to drive to the dealer to check on how much oil I have in a car? Got to be kidding me
Last edited by 4TehNguyen; Dec 29, 2007 at 02:22 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,460
Likes: 251
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Yes, but do NOT check the oil for at least 5 minutes or so after you shut off a warm engine...all of the oil has to have time to flow back down to the crankcase. In fact, if it takes longer then that to get an accurate reading (as it sometimes does with old or poorly maintained engines), the oil passageways may be partially plugged up with dirt or sludge.
personally i dont think anyone would care about the onboard monitoring as much if BMW had just left the dipstick on.
the 300c TPMS may be able to tell u psi on each tire but Chrysler didnt get rid of the valvestem now did it.
the 300c TPMS may be able to tell u psi on each tire but Chrysler didnt get rid of the valvestem now did it.
Driver
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Queens. NY
-King Bimmer
There can only be One
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 1
From: FL
What we are slowly experiencing (and fast in some cases) is the effect of computers on cars. BMW has figured it knows best and will tell you when the car needs an oil change. Car makers WANT you to get service at a dealer, why would they want you to DIY or go elsewhere? More money for them and their dealers. Of course, they will say "its whats best for the car", which maybe true, but there are those that like to DIY....
Its just a matter of time cars tell us when to turn, where to go and where to park!
Its just a matter of time cars tell us when to turn, where to go and where to park!
There are things in the works on cars driving themselves, cars telling you that you left your lights on in your house, sensors for everything are coming, INCLUDING telling you to reduce your speed. Its coming to where the DRIVING machine is going to the WE DRIVE you machine.
You guys think its bad with an oil stick, you wait and see what it is like as Government starts to want more control over MPG regulations, and speeds. Its coming folks. You watch and see.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,460
Likes: 251
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Traffic congestion will put an end to a lot of speeding no matter what Government policy is.
Guest
Posts: n/a
I will say though, they have built so much here, all my fav backroads are packed and I have to drive late at night if I want a "Fun Run".
Yes, but do NOT check the oil for at least 5 minutes or so after you shut off a warm engine...all of the oil has to have time to flow back down to the crankcase. In fact, if it takes longer then that to get an accurate reading (as it sometimes does with old or poorly maintained engines), the oil passageways may be partially plugged up with dirt or sludge.
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 617
Likes: 2
From: New York
I see nothing wrong with a lack of dip stick so long as the oil level sensor is designed to be basically fail proof. I guess ideally you'd have both the sensor and the dip stick but the sensor is MUCH more useful for the other 99.9% of the population that has never pulled an oil dip stick on their car before. At least this way they see the readout on the dash and know what's going on as soon as the problem surfaces (like as soon as they pull out of jiffy lube)
Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
One thing that came to mind when I saw the jiffy lube comment is how would you check on the condition of the oil? Some shady shops tell you they changed your oil when they actually didnt. Not something you would have to worry about with the dealer but there would be no easy way to check.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,854
Likes: 0
From: IL
The fact is, dipsticks are going bye bye - and yep, I bet Toyota will follow shortly. The fact is, they don't make sense for most people as most people never check their oil!
Alas, I have a BMW and it has a dipstick, but to tell you the truth, I've never used it. At a traffic light sitting level, I call up the oil level on my car occasionally (yes, using the iDrive thingy that all non BMW owners love to hate). Even that is rare however - most people (BMW, Lexus, owners etc.) don't do anything until the light comes on and/or don't ever realize they were low because they change their oil on a regular basis.
Last but not least, internal combustion engines NEED oil - the ones that LOVE them are not functioning so well.
