Quote:
Originally Posted by iminhell1
So it relies on what?
Oil Level Sensor and ?
How do you know the sensor is accurate?
I mean you can drain and measure, but that kinda defeats any purpose. Right.
Maybe my American is showing but I find not having a dipstick a serious safety risk. Every engine burns some oil, and that amount can change based on brand preference. Or what if the VC leaks, I can see about a quart fitting in the plug wells and who knows how much elsewhere.
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How do you know if anything in your highly computerized car is accurate? I grew up with point-type distributors so I
knew exactly what my timing was and selected jets for my carburetor based on spark plug color.
I was initially put off by the lack of a dipstick, but the technology is sound and I find that I check my oil level far more often than I normally would. (Hell, while driving most of the time)
From "The New Generation 6-cylinder N52" PDF:
"Function of the Oil Condition Sensor
The sensor consists of two cylindrical capacitors arranged one above the other. The oil condition is determined by the lower, smaller capacitor (6). Two metal tubes (2+3), arranged one in the other, serve as the capacitor electrodes. The dielectric is the engine oil (4) between the electrodes. The electrical property of the engine oil changes as the wear or ageing increases and the fuel additives break down. The capacitance of the capacitor (oil condition sensor) changes in line with the change in the electrical material properties of the engine oil (dielectric). This means that this capacitance value is processed in the evaluation electronics (7) integrated in the sensor to form a digital signal. The digital sensor signal is transferred to the DME as an indication of the status of the engine oil. This actual value is used in the DME to calculate the next oil change service due. The engine oil level is determined in the upper part of the sensor (5). This part of the sensor is located at the same level as the oil in the oil pan.
As the oil level drops (dielectric), the capacitance of the capacitor changes accordingly. The electronic circuitry in the sensor processes this capacitance value to form a digital signal and transfers the signal to the DME. A platinum temperature sensor (9) is installed at the base of the oil condition sensor for the purpose of measuring the engine oil temperature.
The engine oil level, engine oil temperature and engine oil condition are registered continuously as long as voltage is applied at terminal 15. The oil condition sensor is powered via terminal 87."