Electronic Dipstick?
Went to check the oil of the 2014 Land Rover LR4 yesterday. It is due for an oil change, and I wanted to check the level prior to being told that at 70,000 miles it was drinking oil and needed the high mileage variant.
There is no dipstick. The engine is a 5 liter Ford powerplant, but the Brits have decided that a century of history with a slim steel rod was pass?, and that an electonical method would be much better.
Not finding a dipstick, I had to go to the emasculating refuge of the owner's manual to divine how one is to check the oil level. It was there, and a few pushes of the proper buttons in the proper order revealed that there was sufficient oil in the engine.
I love the vehicle, but this, coupled with a $ 43.00 oil filter on an engine that should have a $ 10.00 oil filter is a bit disappointing.
There is no dipstick. The engine is a 5 liter Ford powerplant, but the Brits have decided that a century of history with a slim steel rod was pass?, and that an electonical method would be much better.
Not finding a dipstick, I had to go to the emasculating refuge of the owner's manual to divine how one is to check the oil level. It was there, and a few pushes of the proper buttons in the proper order revealed that there was sufficient oil in the engine.
I love the vehicle, but this, coupled with a $ 43.00 oil filter on an engine that should have a $ 10.00 oil filter is a bit disappointing.
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That's (sigh) progress. 0 -
As a mechanic buddy of mine says, "too many engineers". 0 -
I have known a few dipsticks, but none electronic.
Don't like the owners manual? Ask a 10 year old.0 -
A lot of vehicles are like that anymore. Does not make much sense from a maintenance standpoint, but what do I know.
"An engineer is someone who will walk past five hot blonds just to fu@k a mechanic"0 -
?...emasculating refuge of the owner's manual...?
May I borrow that phrase?[:D]0 -
My 987 is the same. Wish it had a dipstick also. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by SG
My 987 is the same. Wish it had a dipstick also.
If for no other reason than to verify the electronic reading.0 -
My Honda has a sensor that tells me exactly how much life is left in the oil. I actually like it. 0 -
quote:Electronic Dipstick?We usually call em a computer geek.... 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Horse Plains Drifter
quote:Electronic Dipstick?We usually call em a computer geek....
[:D][:D]0 -
Yep. It's common for sending units to fail. It is a cool feature though since it forces you to check your oil every time you start the car.
quote:Originally posted by droptop
quote:Originally posted by SG
My 987 is the same. Wish it had a dipstick also.
If for no other reason than to verify the electronic reading.0 -
Yes but that also keeps water out when the thing goes thru 6 feet of water, the system is sealed. 0 -
I,m guessing the LR doesn't use Lucas Electric anymore ?? 0 -
I almost bought a used Land Rover a few years ago. My older brother has worked for a Ford dealer in the parts department most of his adult life. His advise, that I asked for was....just keep looking for another brand of vehicle![:0]
IMHO, electronics are nice but without manual verification on such important matters, I strongly take a pass.0 -
If the engineers were so worried about water immersion (They must ford rivers on a regular basis) they could have designed a dip stick with a simple o-ring seal instead of a no-backup non-verifiable prone-to-failure electronic doodad. KISS 0 -
quote:Originally posted by jimdeere
?...emasculating refuge of the owner's manual...?
May I borrow that phrase?[:D]
Why of course.
Glad to hear someone else feels the same way.[:I]0 -
quote:Originally posted by Brookwood
I almost bought a used Land Rover a few years ago. My older brother has worked for a Ford dealer in the parts department most of his adult life. His advise, that I asked for was....just keep looking for another brand of vehicle![:0]
IMHO, electronics are nice but without manual verification on such important matters, I strongly take a pass.
I had thought, well assumed, that given the long history of the Ford 302 V-8, I would have a fairly simple engine. Seems very good was not good enough in this case.0 -
"I had thought, well assumed, that given the long history of the Ford 302 V-8,"
From my past experience with several FixOrRepairDaily V-8's, the best compromise would be a 5 gallon reservoir fully visible from the driver's seat.0 -
I have had several British cars(Spitfires and Triumphs) and a few British Motorcycles(70, 71 and a 68 Norton 750's and a Greaves 250 dirt bike)
All were picky due to electronics and carbs.
None had a good electrical system.
I try to stay away from them now.
In Africa I have been forced to drive in them and all were less than reliable and not all that capable, YMMV but I really have no use for them. They are pretty though.0 -
I will admit when I started working at a car manufacture they kept saying oil level gauge >>> then I realized it was just a dip stick [B)][B)]
this was told to me about 25 + years ago so I am sure its changed
if even true I never followed up all the cars exported to some "country " in Africa were not permitted to have a dip stick in them the leader / ruler of the area had a company that produced dip sticks and each car arriving had to have his brand installed to be sold in his country ..?0 -
My son asked my help checking the transmission fluid in his 2016 Toyota Tacoma I looked for 10 minutes trying to find the dipstick . Finally resorted to the manual ther is no dipstick . You must put it on a lift and remove a plug on the side of the transmission to check fluid . Ain?t progress wonderful! 0 -
My son asked my help checking the transmission fluid in his 2016 Toyota Tacoma I looked for 10 minutes trying to find the dipstick . Finally resorted to the manual ther is no dipstick . You must put it on a lift and remove a plug on the side of the transmission to check fluid . Ain?t progress wonderful! 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Rocky Raab
If the engineers were so worried about water immersion (They must ford rivers on a regular basis) they could have designed a dip stick with a simple o-ring seal instead of a no-backup non-verifiable prone-to-failure electronic doodad. KISS
That has been standard for a long time. Engines do not have any crankcase venting to the outside air, all is pulled into the intake and burned.
I believe the real reason is modern engines "burn" so little oil between services and the vast majority of drivers never even open the hood, so it is simply not needed.0 -
quote:Originally posted by pulsarnc
My son asked my help checking the transmission fluid in his 2016 Toyota Tacoma I looked for 10 minutes trying to find the dipstick . Finally resorted to the manual there is no dipstick . You must put it on a lift and remove a plug on the side of the transmission to check fluid . Ain?t progress wonderful!
There are many transmissions that have no way to even check the level. When servicing you drain, replace the filter and pump a specific amount back through the drain port.0 -
quote:Originally posted by pulsarnc
My son asked my help checking the transmission fluid in his 2016 Toyota Tacoma I looked for 10 minutes trying to find the dipstick . Finally resorted to the manual ther is no dipstick . You must put it on a lift and remove a plug on the side of the transmission to check fluid . Ain?t progress wonderful!
The Exploder doesn't have a tranny dip stick either.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
My Honda has a sensor that tells me exactly how much life is left in the oil. I actually like it.
So does my Cruze. But it still has a dipstick.
But nothing for the Auto Trans.0 -
Speaking of dipsticks, I have to just say that my nickname, given me from a late uncle matches the thread title....without the electronic part. [:0] 0 -
Most lose their dipstick upon becoming a tranny.. [:D]
quote:Originally posted by armilite
quote:Originally posted by pulsarnc
My son asked my help checking the transmission fluid in his 2016 Toyota Tacoma I looked for 10 minutes trying to find the dipstick . Finally resorted to the manual ther is no dipstick . You must put it on a lift and remove a plug on the side of the transmission to check fluid . Ain?t progress wonderful!
The Exploder doesn't have a tranny dip stick either.0 -
In college I once hooked up with a girl who fed me a bunch of psychedelic mushrooms and then pulled out an electronic dipstick. She was something else. 0
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