this post was submitted on 23 May 2025
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[–] hperrin 32 points 1 day ago (1 children)

My wife’s electric car doesn’t have a dipstick.

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[–] [email protected] 32 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

The article is really lazy about citing its sources.

many cars don't come with dipsticks anymore. Some sources say

Are these some sources in the room with us?

it's because automakers don't trust us to use them, so why make them? (That's kind of along the lines of rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it, right?) Or maybe it's some kind of conspiracy to keep drivers coming in for oil changes more often.

This is like an eighth grader padding out a book report.

But in actuality, it's because a lot of things are going digital.

Tl;dr: Here's a higher quality source: Why the Reliable Dipstick is Sliding into Obsolescence

[–] [email protected] 2 points 18 hours ago* (last edited 18 hours ago)

The customer has to pop the hood. They might get their hands dirty. It’s not the modern way of doing things

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[–] [email protected] 24 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I don't like it because:

  • I want to look at the oil and smell it, not just check the level.
  • I don't know the failure modes for the sensor, so I can't trust that the absence of a complaint from it means the oil level is correct.
[–] ininewcrow 11 points 1 day ago

Exactly

Right now there is no better detection system than in

  • Seeing the oil level
  • seeing the oil color
  • smelling the oil content
  • feeling the oil viscosity and any contamination
[–] KingPorkChop 11 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I hate all these automatic sensors in new cars. I don't usually buy new cars, I get ones that are a few years used. Almost all of them have a light on the dash for a "tire error" because the stupid sensor has died and no one in their right mind wants to spend $300 to replace a thing that tells you your tire pressure is low. Plus, the things die in a few years anyway.

I just do the Homer Simpson solution and put a bit of black tape over the tire error light.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 23 hours ago (3 children)

$300? A TPS sensor replacement should cost like $75 including the sensor itself.

[–] KingPorkChop 4 points 22 hours ago (3 children)

About $300 is what the mechanics in the area usually charge. The dealership is more.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 19 hours ago (1 children)

They are like 50 bucks for all 4 tires on ebay. Just get a wheel shop to install it.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

or...just look at the tyres ?

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 22 hours ago (1 children)
[–] KingPorkChop 2 points 21 hours ago (1 children)

Each?!?!

Fuck that. I'll pay $300 for the set and let them do the work for me. LOL

[–] [email protected] 2 points 19 hours ago* (last edited 19 hours ago)

Yeah, that's pretty cheap. Is your $300 number for all 4? Because that's more expensive than Discount Tire's price...

[–] [email protected] 1 points 21 hours ago

About $300 is what the mechanics in the area usually charge.

That's complete robbery. Go to a tire shop.

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 day ago (3 children)

This sounds like an old Mercedes problem: Why even having a dipstick when there isn't any drain bolt? The Mechanic sucks all the oil from the top using a vacuum. Grime buildup down in the oil pan? Ain't care! The car will break anyway, once it's out of warranty.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 18 hours ago

many small motorbikes in southeast asia are like this. i do not understand the design

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[–] [email protected] 0 points 14 hours ago

This reminds me of funny American commercial from when I was a kid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj5ms9PJDNY

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Knowing the exact oil level is very important for new cars. The piston rings are now made of softer metal to get a few more mpgs. If you overfill oil, you will get blow by, damage the rings, and start burning oil. Toyota now has an involved process of changing oil, running the engine, then topping off the oil while the engine is hot so as to not overfill. But not even my dealer follows that official procedure Toyota put in their manual.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 19 hours ago

If the dealer isn't doing that and you know about it what are we even talking about. Pretty casual well I'm paying them to fuck my engine oh well anyway

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago

Sounds like a scam by big oil to sell more oil.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago (2 children)

my 2008 BMW doesn't have a dipstick

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 day ago (4 children)

my 2008 BMW doesn't have a dipstick

Sure it does, it is in the driver's seat.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 18 hours ago* (last edited 18 hours ago)

haha yea its a COCK for your ASS lmao

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 day ago (2 children)

My cyber truck doesn't have a dipstick and I'm mad as hell about it. I bought it to feel like more of a man and I feel like less of man without a dipstick.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 day ago

I thought the dipstick in a cybertruck is usually found behind the steering wheel

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