Is It OK To Wait Until The Low Oil Light Comes ON?

KARNUT · May 3

3 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

If I had to choose between and idiot light or a low oil light and an oil dipstick, I'll take the dip stick. I was raised checking oil is included when using a motor/engine.

I think running them low makes no sense and is a sign of laziness.

I will check my oil regularly.

Well that’s you. I do the same. I’ve never seen a low oil light myself. The manufacturer doesn’t trust people to check their transmission fluid so they removed the dip stick. There’s scores of people who can’t do it for many reasons. No matter how many times I show my idiot grandson stuff on his car I get a blank stare. He just doesn’t care. Now ask him about a computer. I was there a month ago check out his car. It was low on transmission fluid. I said don’t drive it until you put a quart in. What’s he do? He drives it to town to a quick lube place. Please lights on everything. I don’t need it. Probably 3/4 of the population does.

diyer2 · May 3

The removal of the trans dipstick was done to discourage do it yourselfers. Plus to save the cost of the part and installation. They also knew most owners neglect the trans so why have it. IMO

KARNUT · May 3

4 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

The removal of the trans dipstick was done to discourage do it yourselfers. Plus to save the cost of the part and installation. They also knew most owners neglect the trans so why have it. IMO

That’s true. Most people don’t expect to use oil either. I put gas in my wife’s car every week. I like to keep them above half. Between my truck and Odyssey one visit a week. I never see anyone checking their oil. Even diesel trucks. It’s just not common. I sure like the dipstick in my truck it makes pulling the fluid easy. My odyssey is easier to change the transmission fluid than the oil. My Genesis for get about it. The dealer is doing it this week it just so happens.

OnTheReel · May 3

2 hours ago, KARNUT said:

I think some of the usual suspects missed the point of the original post. Then come out with the expected criticism like everyone should check their oil with every fill up. Well that’s not going to happen. So a low oil light while the level is still safe would be a good idea, well that’s reasonable. Every vehicle I’ve experienced the oil pick up is close to the bottom of the pan. Still able to pump oil even if there’s just two quarts or less left. Running low doesn’t change the oil pressure, that doesn’t make any sense. Running two quarts low doesn’t change oil pressure. You have to be on a pretty good hill to starve the pickup for oil. So the engine doesn’t know, let’s be real. For decades vehicles come with a low tire pressure light. Most come on at 30 psi. Normal pressure is usually 32 psi. Pressure changes with ambient temperature. Do we check pressure every day? Is it safe to drive at 30 psi? Which could be less safe? A simple question was asked. If there isn’t a safe low or check oil light there should be.

https://thelemonfirm.com/2022/03/01/jeep-cherokee-2-4l-tigershark-oil-consumption-causes-engine-to-stall/

Grumpy Bear · May 3

17 hours ago, KARNUT said:

So who’s sensitive? Not me. I share experiences without the condensing remarks or funny little so please put me a box. I don’t care.

Here's the thing Stanley, the post you are objecting to was a reply to @diyer2 not you. I didn't quote your, I didn't reference you, I wasn't speaking to you or about you. I explained myself. Offered an apology. You have no reasonable complaint. I'm not boxing you. You are unaware, not willful. Those people get the doghouse.

Allow me to example you not being condescending: (And yes, now I am.)

1 hour ago, KARNUT said:

No matter how many times I show my idiot grandson stuff on his car I get a blank stare.

Now that's funny stuff right there. How about you show him that post and see how he reacts.

KARNUT · May 3

20 minutes ago, OnTheReel said:

https://thelemonfirm.com/2022/03/01/jeep-cherokee-2-4l-tigershark-oil-consumption-causes-engine-to-stall/

So they have a defective system and a horrible engine. I would agree 3.5 is a little late in the game. My last new GMC held 8 QTs. I would imagine in that case 2 qt low light would be acceptable. And lastly there’s certain vehicles that have reputations that if I happened to purchase one that was a good deal. I would be more diligent keeping my eye on it. I don’t think my 84 year old mother would drive one of those. Who would be part of the group a light would be a good idea.

Grumpy Bear · May 3

52 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

The removal of the trans dipstick was done to discourage do it yourselfers. Plus to save the cost of the part and installation. They also knew most owners neglect the trans so why have it. IMO

Agree completely.

When a motor is running, especially at high rpm, as when towing heavy or passing/playing, most of the oil is not IN the pan so even a bit down can cause loss of pump suction. A crankcase is a hurricane is teacup. I've seen guys suck full OEM sized pan dry racing.

The fact some motor 'limp' out at two quarts is a comment of the large pans vehicles now are fitted with. But even that would not be failsafe in some situations. Cornering hard. You guys all think the on ramp is turn three at Darlington. Overfull has its dangers as well. Frothing. How could that be? HPFP leaking into the pan. Water pump ditto on some vehicles. Flat out overfilling.

Checking the level manually is just a good idea. IMHO of course.

KARNUT · May 3

9 minutes ago, Grumpy Bear said:

Here's the thing Stanley, the post you are objecting to was a reply to @diyer2 not you. I didn't quote your, I didn't reference you, I wasn't speaking to you or about you. I explained myself. Offered an apology. You have no reasonable complaint. I'm not boxing you. You are unaware, not willful. Those people get the doghouse.

Allow me to example you not being condescending: (And yes, now I am.)

Now that's funny stuff right there. How about you show him that post and see how he reacts.

Oh I made my disappointment known. When I park my 185k mile avalanche next to his 150K mile Elantra (the one I gave him) he gets the point.

64BAwagon · May 3

1 hour ago, diyer2 said:

The removal of the trans dipstick was done to discourage do it yourselfers. Plus to save the cost of the part and installation. They also knew most owners neglect the trans so why have it. IMO

The unfortunate result of the missing dipstick is that it makes filling the trans harder after servicing it (which I acknowledge isnt something most people do). I found an inexpensive way to overcome that without buying an expensive pump.

The fact that the serviceability of the new "Allison branded trans" is so poor is a result of Allison not having a larger role in its design. The previous 5 and 6 gear 1000 series were very easy to service unlike the 10R1000.

We had a bunch of the old HT 4 spd along with many 3000 and 4000 series Allisons in our fleet and they were all very well thought out in regards to servicing.

I would have liked to have seen the level check sensors in the 10R1000 but I realize that theres little to no chance that GM would pony up for that.

Edited May 3 by 64BAwagon

OnTheReel · May 3

1 hour ago, KARNUT said:

So they have a defective system and a horrible engine. I would agree 3.5 is a little late in the game. My last new GMC held 8 QTs. I would imagine in that case 2 qt low light would be acceptable. And lastly there’s certain vehicles that have reputations that if I happened to purchase one that was a good deal. I would be more diligent keeping my eye on it. I don’t think my 84 year old mother would drive one of those. Who would be part of the group a light would be a good idea.

I would stop short of saying defective / horrible. It mainly suffers from the same circumstances that most modern engines do. Cheap oil at too long of intervals and owners treating everything like a rent-a-car. You can find similar legal sites with just about any car as the subject. Mine uses none and runs like a sewing machine so it doesn’t matter.

Not against an idiot light until they are used in place of a dipstick. I’ve never had a dipstick fail. Tank level sensors like those used in an oil pan, however, can and do fail really easily.

KARNUT · May 3

2 hours ago, OnTheReel said:

I would stop short of saying defective / horrible. It mainly suffers from the same circumstances that most modern engines do. Cheap oil at too long of intervals and owners treating everything like a rent-a-car. You can find similar legal sites with just about any car as the subject. Mine uses none and runs like a sewing machine so it doesn’t matter.

Not against an idiot light until they are used in place of a dipstick. I’ve never had a dipstick fail. Tank level sensors like those used in an oil pan, however, can and do fail really easily.

I understand that completely. I was speaking for the people who are unable to do the dipstick. A sensor would be good for them. The was my point.

Grumpy Bear · May 4

14 hours ago, diyer2 said:

The removal of the trans dipstick was done to discourage do it yourselfers. Plus to save the cost of the part and installation. They also knew most owners neglect the trans so why have it. IMO

Just dawned on me. Remove the dipstick to save money and replace it with a more expensive. less reliable sensor. :crackup:

Silverado4x4 · May 4

7 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

Just dawned on me. Remove the dipstick to save money and replace it with a more expensive. less reliable sensor.

Naaa you don't need to replace it with anything as the sensor is already in the motor, when you start hearing a audible knocking noise THAT'S when you add oil.

Edited May 4 by Silverado4x4