Where is the Temperature Gauge

[Thunderguts]

Originally Posted by krhodes1

It has nothing to do with "demographics". BMW designed a great oil monitoring system that let them eliminate a source of evaporative emissions. It monitors the oil level FAR more effectively than the driver ever could - you can't check the oil level while driving down the highway at 80mph with a dipstick, can you? Do YOU check the oil level every single time the car is started, before allowing it to start? The computer does both of those things.

Are you suggesting that every car made in the last 40 or so years didn't have an idiot light for oil pressure/level? Thing is, they also had dipsticks. The idiot light is there to do exactly what you're saying, constantly monitor the oil level and alert the driver if there is a problem. I see no improvement in BMW's system except for the ability to get a moderately inaccurate reading while driving. For this I sacrifice the ability to get a very accurate reading with the engine off. I don't consider that an even exchange.

[Gangplank]

On most of the cars I've owned the oil light was oil pressure & the dipstick was oil level. The oil level sensor on my 135i went bad and started giving all sorts of whacky readings. That was fun by the way...

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by Thunderguts

Are you suggesting that every car made in the last 40 or so years didn't have an idiot light for oil pressure/level? Thing is, they also had dipsticks. The idiot light is there to do exactly what you're saying, constantly monitor the oil level and alert the driver if there is a problem. I see no improvement in BMW's system except for the ability to get a moderately inaccurate reading while driving. For this I sacrifice the ability to get a very accurate reading with the engine off. I don't consider that an even exchange.

There have been relatively few cars with a light for oil level (I have had a couple). Most have a light only for oil pressure. Which will be too low if you let the level get too low, at which point the damage is potentially done as that level is FAR more than a single quart low in most cars. If the pressure light comes on, the engine IS being starved of oil at that point. That is not at all how the BMW system works.

If you are so wed to the idea of a dipstick, why did you buy a modern BMW? They have only been lacking it, diesels excepted, for about 16-17 years now. The BMW system is very well proven, and issues with it are quite rare.

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Some of us dip sticks like having a dip stick. Does it cost that much to include one?

I mean just in case your oil level sensor stops working it would be nice to have.... ask me how I know?

It's not cost, it's evaporative emissions reduction primarily. And because it just isn't necessary anymore.

If you are getting wacky readings, change the sensor, it's cheap. And a very rare failure based on being on these forums for a dozen years now. As I have said, I have replaced a LOT of dipsticks over the years for various reasons too.

[blue135]

This thing is pretty simple/complicated. Some of us want a dipstick, but none of us are willing to give up the 1 series since the other things we get offset that (if it mattered that much, we would have jumped ship already).
So compromise is what it is. But if we don't express that opinion, the people who do the design work never enter some things into their thought process if no one cares enough about it to bring it up (though we all recognize they are not going back on this)>

[Thunderguts]

Originally Posted by krhodes1

If you are so wed to the idea of a dipstick, why did you buy a modern BMW?

Now you're just being silly. Manufacturers make changes to beloved products all the time that consumers didn't ask for and don't want. Ask any Apple product owner. Consumers, for their part, are a fickle bunch. We demand unreasonable goals for products that manufacturers cannot meet. This one, however is particularly annoying to many people. I don't hear anyone saying "I hate that my car came with a dipstick."

I've criticized the E82's reliance on electronics and sensors in several posts, but as a whole, it still drives better than most other cars available in the last 20 years.

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by blue135

This thing is pretty simple/complicated. Some of us want a dipstick, but none of us are willing to give up the 1 series since the other things we get offset that (if it mattered that much, we would have jumped ship already).
So compromise is what it is. But if we don't express that opinion, the people who do the design work never enter some things into their thought process if no one cares enough about it to bring it up (though we all recognize they are not going back on this)>

Give it up. The time to whine about it was 16-17 years ago. We are now three generations into BMWs not generally having dipsticks. Mooove on.

The engineers could not possibly care less what you think anyway.

[Lester]

Electric cars wont need either a dipstick or an oil level sensor. We are saved!

[Thunderguts]

Originally Posted by Lester

Electric cars wont need either a dipstick or an oil level sensor. We are saved!

All hail our electric overlords!

[Esteban]

Will probably never own an electric car, certainly not this one (too rich for my blood), but it sure is pretty. And fun to drive, if not all that efficient. Slightly off topic. lol

"What a fantastic car," Cortina said. "The acceleration, the handling, the steering—it all makes sense. It's the car I want to continue driving for hours. It's the one that gives you confidence at the wheel to keep going for more." So what if it's expensive and not very efficient? The Taycan's a Porsche, after all.

https://www.motortrend.com/cars/pors...d-cons-review/

Merry Christmas, you filthy animals! And a Happy New Year!

[MightyMouseTech]

The main reason our cars don't have a dipstick, is because if it was not PERFECTLY inserted, it would allow a vacuum leak (our sumps are run at a vacuum) and the car would run really rough and misfire. Same as leaving the oil cap open.
Really wish people would get over this already.

[Lester]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

The main reason our cars don't have a dipstick, is because if it was not PERFECTLY inserted, it would allow a vacuum leak (our sumps are run at a vacuum) and the car would run really rough and misfire. Same as leaving the oil cap open.
Really wish people would get over this already.

People are bored silly. It's not like there are any other issues going on in the greater world right now.

[Esteban]

Yep, bored silly...

[Esteban]

...silly bored, yep.

[desertman123]

FWIW, it's pretty standard on inboard engine (or I/O) boats to suck the oil through the dipstick tube with a pump. I have one from West Marine I use for basically every fluid - worked great draining my diff and PS fluid.

I'd absolutely use it for engine oil if I could, considering the oil filter housing is located topside too. Wheels would never leave the ground. The filter should be collecting everything anyway.

Also what's a car forum without an oil thread????

Go eat Christmas dinner.