Do we trust the oil level monitor as much as we trust the fuel gauge? What are we getting at with all this fuel tank talk?
I believe I may have started that. I was wondering why thereâs so much distrust of an oil level sensor when we trust our fuel level sensors and temperature sensors without question.
Wait until people find out we can diagnose and repair their cars using a laptop and bluetoothâŠ
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My 59 VW didnât have a gas gauge either but had a spare tank. Seemed like every Friday at about the same place on the way to work it would stumble and Iâd reach down and switch tanks. Then fill up on the way home that night.
Now after I had the tank replaced in my riv, the gauge no longer worked. It was a $300 part so for years I lived without. Just punched the trip meter and usually filled up every night. Who needs a stick with a computer?
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No Way! (In my most sarcastic voice) 
Here is what I consider weird, my car does not allow me to view oil life on the in dash menu, but I get a monthly report link that provides oil life remaining.
Truck is a â13, can view OLM on the dash.
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My 2012 Odyssey can identify a low pressure tire(s) but does not display any info on them. My 2008 TB displays each individual tire pressure reading. The Ody has a significantly more modern GUI but offers less informationâŠ
Dipstick or no dipstick - We had two 2004 BMWs that had both dipsticks and oil level/temperatures sensors. The sensors were notoriously unreliable, generating false low oil warnings within a year or two. Some were new defective right out of the box, and the sensors made by a half-dozen aftermarket parts manufacturers were no better than the BMW branded sensors. One of BMWâs less endearing traits is that when they screw up, they donât admit that they screwed up, they double down. Our 2014 and 2018 BMWs have electronic sensors and NO dipsticks.
Thatâs definitely concerning. The dipstick method is considerably less convenient, but if it is more relieable than the sensor method, it would be hard to claim the sensor method is preferred. Maybe sensor and dipstick configuration is the best, until a reliable sensor is available. BMWâs desire to make use of high tech seems a good thing, as long as it does the needed jobâŠ
With no dipstick, the oil level monitor is a necessity. How many times have you repaired the oil level monitors on these two vehicles?
How would you know it needs to be repaired? Engine clatter?
When it wonât show the oil level. These are not like the old cars that only close a switch when the oil level is below a certain level, the monitor shows if the oil level is one quart low, two quarts low or too high.
There are RV water tank level monitors that provide a similar function.
And you still buy BMWâs. Must not concern you too much.
I check my oil regularly and itâs never low enough to add any, but some people in this forum have. So if you have one of these dipstickless vehicles, do you change your oil just before a long trip, or bring oil with you? Would be nice to check oil level before trip and add some if needed instead of waiting for the light to come on in the middle of the trip.
Most newer vehicles provide a relative measurement, not just a threshold detection. So you can access the oil level reading at any time and see how much oil is in it.
Funny! Thanks for the chuckle!
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Such would requireffort and thought. I do not wanto hurt myself.
(Concerned that turning the ignition ON may start the engine.)
Though I be agnostic, I check the oil religiously.
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