My wife’s new 2024 MINI Cooper Countryman S does not even have a dipstick for checking engine oil. There is a way to check oil level electronically on her infotainment screen, but it’s a little complicated to access, it only works under certain conditions, and it’s not nearly as detailed as viewing a physical dipstick with the naked eye.
Just saw that 2025 Ram pickup trucks will not have engine oil dipsticks unless you choose the base model V6 engine that’s been around for 14 years. None of the optional engines will have dipsticks.
There’s been a lot of debate about this. Some say, “who cares?” pointing out that transmission dipsticks went away several years ago, and other fluids like transfer case and axle fluids don’t have dipsticks. Others say that argument is apples to oranges. Those other fluids don’t require changing nearly as often, and in some cases they won’t even cause immediate disabling of the vehicle if they get low or run dry completely. Engine oil, on the other hand, is critically important.
What do y’all think about this new trend? Personally I’m old fashioned. I want to pull a stick and SEE the oil in my engine. The level, condition, etc. can be immediately identified if I can physically see/smell it. And a dipstick never fails. Electronic sensors do.
Just saw that 2025 Ram pickup trucks will not have engine oil dipsticks unless you choose the base model V6 engine that’s been around for 14 years. None of the optional engines will have dipsticks.
There’s been a lot of debate about this. Some say, “who cares?” pointing out that transmission dipsticks went away several years ago, and other fluids like transfer case and axle fluids don’t have dipsticks. Others say that argument is apples to oranges. Those other fluids don’t require changing nearly as often, and in some cases they won’t even cause immediate disabling of the vehicle if they get low or run dry completely. Engine oil, on the other hand, is critically important.
What do y’all think about this new trend? Personally I’m old fashioned. I want to pull a stick and SEE the oil in my engine. The level, condition, etc. can be immediately identified if I can physically see/smell it. And a dipstick never fails. Electronic sensors do.