The cults is done it again

[wbowner]

Was topping up oil today and have made a bit of a mess

I travelling and got msg to add some oil, I have been keeping an eye on it and today was first time I got the message

Ok fine I had some oil with me

Yo ensure I did not add to much I used a measuring cup, I did not have a funnel and thought I would be ok
Unfortunately I have spilt a bit of Oil on the cover and around the hole.
I have wiped it up, which sort of spread it a bit

Should this be ok or do I need to something more drastic. Can I drive car. Keep in mind I am not at home but in a caravan park in Esk

Sorry if a dumb question

Richard

[JDNSW]

You do not say which engine you have, but spilled oil will not prevent the vehicle from being driven. If some gets on to the exhaust manifold(s) you are likely to get a smell of burning oil, but it is not a fire risk - just smells like it.

[DieselLSE]

Which vehicle and what engine? But you are right to clean up as much as possible. Remove any plastic engine cover (if you have to remove the oil fill cap, then replace it once the cover is off). Using paper towels or rags, soak up as much as you can. Take your time. It may be handy to use a torch to see into the nooks and crannies. No need to bother with any detergents or engine cleaner as you're only trying to soak up wet oil. Leave the engine and looms and pipes as dry as you can.

[wbowner]

Was topping up oil today and have made a bit of a mess

I travelling and got msg to add some oil, I have been keeping an eye on it and today was first time I got the message

Ok fine I had some oil with me

Yo ensure I did not add to much I used a measuring cup, I did not have a funnel and thought I would be ok
Unfortunately I have spilt a bit of Oil on the cover and around the hole.
I have wiped it up, which sort of spread it a bit

Should this be ok or do I need to something more drastic. Can I drive car. Keep in mind I am not at home but in a caravan park in Esk

Sorry if a dumb question

Richard


Which vehicle and what engine? But you are right to clean up as much as possible. Remove any plastic engine cover (if you have to remove the oil fill cap, then replace it once the cover is off). Using paper towels or rags, soak up as much as you can. Take your time. It may be handy to use a torch to see into the nooks and crannies. No need to bother with any detergents or engine cleaner as you're only trying to soak up wet oil. Leave the engine and looms and pipes as dry as you can.

Many thanks

It is tdv6 D4
The oil is on the cover only.

I have gone over it with rags and hot water with a bit of detergent so am on right track, thanks again.
Seems to have cleaned it up

I will check with torch tomorrow.

I will probably have to put a bit more oil in but was conscious of not putting in to much
I need to run the car a bit before taking another reading, will do after another clean.

I should have got a funnel or made one but smart a me thought my measuring cup would do the trick

Richard

[DieselLSE]

You do know how to check the oil level in a D4 don't you? Do you have the handbook?

[RobMichelle]

Plastic water bottle, empty contents, cut the bum off open cap, up end in oil hole simple funnel. Should be at least one in a bin in park.

[Eric SDV6SE]

You do know how to check the oil level in a D4 don't you? Do you have the handbook?

In case the OP doesn't:
With a warm engine, wait 5-10min for oil to settle.
Ignition on, wait for all the prestart checks to complete, ress the rh ok button on the steering whee and enter the service menu at the bottom. Press ok and you should see oil level check as an option. Select and press ok, oil level should be displayed.

A short cut if it doesn't is to press the cruise control cancel button, this shows instantaneous oil level.

If oil level is displayed, correct level is all white squares filled up the OK mark. Top up oil if needed

[DiscoJeffster]

In case the OP doesn't:
With a warm engine, wait 5-10min for oil to settle.
Ignition on, wait for all the prestart checks to complete, ress the rh ok button on the steering whee and enter the service menu at the bottom. Press ok and you should see oil level check as an option. Select and press ok, oil level should be displayed.

A short cut if it doesn't is to press the cruise control cancel button, this shows instantaneous oil level.

If oil level is displayed, correct level is all white squares filled up the OK mark. Top up oil if needed

The bonnet must be open for the cruise control trick to work and I recall you have to press “cancel” twice.

[scarry]

A dipstick just seems so much easier......and it's accurate.[bigwhistle]

WTF were they thinking.

[wbowner]

Many thanks all

Yep I do know how to check oil and warm it up beforehand. I had been monitoring it regularly as was dropping a bit , I am towing a van.

It sometimes takes longer than 10 min before I get a reading
I had heard there was a bit of trick to doing sooner but was not sure how

I have used the cut bottle technique previously. I had just thought I found a better and more accurate way to do it. Good theory just bad implementation on my part
M

[Eric SDV6SE]

Many thanks all

Yep I do know how to check oil and warm it up beforehand. I had been monitoring it regularly as was dropping a bit , I am towing a van.

It sometimes takes longer than 10 min before I get a reading
I had heard there was a bit of trick to doing sooner but was not sure how

I have used the cut bottle technique previously. I had just thought I found a better and more accurate way to do it. Good theory just bad implementation on my part
M
Hmm I've towed a camper van all over the place and never ever has the engine used a skerric (technical term-slightly less than a smidge) of oil between oil changes that is noticeable on the level indicator. Me suspects something else is going on....

[wbowner]

Yep
I normally don’t use much oil if any and have a feeling something wrong, I have it booked in for a service later in the month, the earliest I could get it done as I am on the road traveling.

Richard

[DieselLSE]

Don't be concerned if the 3.0L TDV6 uses about 250ml in about 10k kms.

[350RRC]

Yep
I normally don’t use much oil if any and have a feeling something wrong, I have it booked in for a service later in the month, the earliest I could get it done as I am on the road traveling.

Richard

Diesel dilution? Doesn't cost much to get a sample analysed.

DL

[josh.huber]

A dipstick just seems so much easier......and it's accurate.[bigwhistle]

WTF were they thinking.

Yeah we get it, you bought a different vehicle!

The vehicle you bought actually needs a dipstick. Why do I say that, they drank oil, I had one and I lived through 3 engines.

Sorry if I come off rude, but this is the D4 Forum, not the LC justification forum, we bought them, still have them, have to live with them.

[scarry]

Yeah we get it, you bought a different vehicle!

The vehicle you bought actually needs a dipstick. Why do I say that, they drank oil, I had one and I lived through 3 engines.

Sorry if I come off rude, but this is the D4 Forum, not the LC justification forum, we bought them, still have them, have to live with them.

You are definitely on the completely wrong track here,i had a D4 for 10yrs with a dipstick.

And every other vehicle i have ever had has had a dipstick for the engine oil,easy to check when doing other regular checks,or whenever.

Never had an issue,wait until you have to replace the electronic level device,if its not a dumb idea with no advantage over a dipstick,why go away from one.

The later Ingenium engines have dipsticks.

Go figure.

Maybe think before you type......

And no,the D4,and the new vehicle both have never used any oil.None.

[JDNSW]

Worth a thought - If I remember correctly, the early postwar Rover cars had a dashboard switch which allowed the fuel gauge to read oil level. And my father's 1923 Reo had a mechanical float operated gauge on the side of the engine to show the oil level. Then there is the ford T system - two petcocks on the sump (which is also the flywheel housing) - if oil does not come out the lower one when opened, oil is low - close it, open the top one and fill until oil runs out, then close. But almost all motor vehicles ever built use dipsticks for engine oil level, so there does seem to be a bit of experience to support the idea.

[AK83]

Worth a thought - If I remember correctly, the early postwar Rover cars had a dashboard switch which allowed the fuel gauge to read oil level. ...

Yeah, this is probably the ideal method.

dipsticks themselves can have various issues, and remote displays can have issues too.
My '79 Lancia HPE had a gauge that did same(could have been fuel gauge too).
IIRC I think it used a vacuum/pressure setup to operate. It seemed fairly accurate from what I could tell.

My dads 307HDI Peugeot has a dash readout(about 5 small circles) when ignition is on, and stays lit after startup.

LR should have at least added a remote fluid level monitor for the dipstickless later model(D2 and later) auto transmissions.
It's nice to have one in the D1, and sorely missed in the D2.

[gavinwibrow]

Yeah, this is probably the ideal method.

dipsticks themselves can have various issues, and remote displays can have issues too.
My '79 Lancia HPE had a gauge that did same(could have been fuel gauge too).
IIRC I think it used a vacuum/pressure setup to operate. It seemed fairly accurate from what I could tell.

My dads 307HDI Peugeot has a dash readout(about 5 small circles) when ignition is on, and stays lit after startup.

LR should have at least added a remote fluid level monitor for the dipstickless later model(D2 and later) auto transmissions.
It's nice to have one in the D1, and sorely missed in the D2.


You can add a D1 auto trans dipstick to a D2. I have one fitted to my D2/TD5 RRC

[DiscoJeffster]

You are definitely on the completely wrong track here,i had a D4 for 10yrs with a dipstick.

And every other vehicle i have ever had has had a dipstick for the engine oil,easy to check when doing other regular checks,or whenever.

Never had an issue,wait until you have to replace the electronic level device,if its not a dumb idea with no advantage over a dipstick,why go away from one.

The later Ingenium engines have dipsticks.

Go figure.

Maybe think before you type......

And no,the D4,and the new vehicle both have never used any oil.None.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220904/5fa9dbf5b503270cbab09dca62238165.jpg

[RichardK]

Worth a thought - If I remember correctly, the early postwar Rover cars had a dashboard switch which allowed the fuel gauge to read oil level. And my father's 1923 Reo had a mechanical float operated gauge on the side of the engine to show the oil level. Then there is the ford T system - two petcocks on the sump (which is also the flywheel housing) - if oil does not come out the lower one when opened, oil is low - close it, open the top one and fill until oil runs out, then close. But almost all motor vehicles ever built use dipsticks for engine oil level, so there does seem to be a bit of experience to support the idea.

You have just reminded me that the oldies 1949 Rover 75 had that system, I was too young to take notice of haw effective it was though, another different arrangement on the 6 cylinder engine as well was overhead inlet valves and side exhaust valves which were not easy to adjust.

Cheers
RichardK

[BMKal]

Yeah we get it, you bought a different vehicle!

The vehicle you bought actually needs a dipstick. Why do I say that, they drank oil, I had one and I lived through 3 engines.

Sorry if I come off rude, but this is the D4 Forum, not the LC justification forum, we bought them, still have them, have to live with them.

[bigrolf][bigrolf][bigrolf][bigrolf][bigrolf][bigrolf][bigrolf][bigrolf]

Given that my car is a D4, with a V6 diesel engine, WITH a dipstick to check the oil level, I couldn't help cracking up laughing when I read this rubbish. [bigwhistle]

[JDNSW]

You have just reminded me that the oldies 1949 Rover 75 had that system, I was too young to take notice of haw effective it was though, another different arrangement on the 6 cylinder engine as well was overhead inlet valves and side exhaust valves which were not easy to adjust.

Cheers
RichardK

Yes I was aware of these around 1950 when I first became interested in cars and started reading car magazines. But none of my family ever had one, although I did try to talk my father into buying a Rover in 1959 when he bought a new car for the first time (he bought a Simca V8).

[AK83]

You can add a D1 auto trans dipstick to a D2. I have one fitted to my D2/TD5 RRC

yep, planning to do soon as well. I found a donor trans, but as it basically hasn't stopped raining since about Sept last year .. haven't had the chance yet.

Funny thing happened to my D1 a short while back ... the Tdi vibrate so much, that the trans dipstick tube snapped at the holding bracket(about half way up the tube).
Trans did a weird thing one day, and next day I thought best to check the dipstick .. pulled the stick .. zero fluid. Oh! start it up and put it in drive(idiot I am! [bigwhistle])
Stick back in, pulled it out again ... this time half the tube and all! [bigrolf]
Well, that explained the weird moment that the trans had, at least. So drained trans, pulled dipstick tube, welded up, petrol checked for leaks, cleaned up, spray painted refitted, this time with a bodge job second bracket support coming from the fuel filter area to hold the top of the dipstick tube more firmly. The std dipstick support bracket sits only half way up the tube, so the top half vibrates badly when engine is at idle(which TDi does at idle). So after so many klms it was bound to vibrate itself half off.

So .. did someone mention that dipsticks are the best option! [biggrin]

[RichardK]

Yes I was aware of these around 1950 when I first became interested in cars and started reading car magazines. But none of my family ever had one, although I did try to talk my father into buying a Rover in 1959 when he bought a new car for the first time (he bought a Simca V8).

Hi JDNSW, would that be the Simca VDETTE?

Cheers
RichardK

[Arapiles]

My '79 Lancia HPE had a gauge that did same(could have been fuel gauge too).
IIRC I think it used a vacuum/pressure setup to operate. It seemed fairly accurate from what I could tell.
.


A '79 Lancia .... how many litres of oil per 100km did it use?

[Tombie]

A dipstick just seems so much easier......and it's accurate.[bigwhistle]

WTF were they thinking.

Simple - a dipstick only reads if you take it out and read it right (which many no longer know how to do properly).

An oil level sensor - ties directly to the ECU and adds a level of safety. If level gets critical, vehicle faults and shuts down. Preventing a Numpty from seizing their engine.

A dip stick does not does this, nor does the idiot light - often when it’s come on some level of damage has been done.


By the same logic - why have a temperature gauge? Surely the old Torana “you’re stuffed” light is all that’s needed?

Perhaps get rid of the fuel gauge? Put a dip stick on the tank? Works for my boat….

[trout1105]

Simple - a dipstick only reads if you take it out and read it right (which many no longer know how to do properly).

An oil level sensor - ties directly to the ECU and adds a level of safety. If level gets critical, vehicle faults and shuts down. Preventing a Numpty from seizing their engine.

A dip stick does not does this, nor does the idiot light - often when it’s come on some level of damage has been done.


By the same logic - why have a temperature gauge? Surely the old Torana “you’re stuffed” light is all that’s needed?

Perhaps get rid of the fuel gauge? Put a dip stick on the tank? Works for my boat….

Many 4 stroke engines including outboards have oil level sensors fitted that either shut the engine down or restrict the revs AND a dipstick as well.
What is wrong with having both fitted[thumbsupbig]

With the amount of money we have to pay for our vehcles adding a dipstick isn't a Massive expense or an unsurmuntable engineering feat.
NOT having a dipstick fitted is a major oversight as far as I am concerned.

[JDNSW]

Hi JDNSW, would that be the Simca VDETTE?

Cheers
RichardK

Yes. The Vedette was built in Australia by Chrysler for two or three years before being replaced by the Valiant in 1961?.

For those not familiar with the model, it was basically the French version of the Ford Zephyr, only fitted with the side valve V8 instead of the six, and slightly larger. Ford was unable to make it work for them, and sold the Vedette works complete to Simca in about 1955. Simca dropped the larger of the V8s and used only the smaller one, fitting alloy heads and increasing compression to produce the same power. The lighter weight enabled them to change the steering ratio, and going to 15" wheels enabled brake drums to be upped to 11", which in turn enabled the pivot point of the McPherson strut to move inside the drum. These changes transformed handling. It was restyled by Farina in 1958, ending up with "wraparound" windscreen and high tailfins.

It was better equipped than most Australian cars at the time - it even had a heater! Upholstery and trim were not up to the standard of the French model. It was larger, roomier, faster, and handled better and much better braked than the contemporary Holden, but suffered from a three speed column shift that did not have a very brilliant RHD conversion! Boot was particularly cavernous - large enough that the spare stood upright on the left of the boot, inside the tailfin. Also had better lights than the Holden.

[veebs]

On the dipstick, I wonder if some enterprising person can’t find a way to use the vacuum extraction tube to retrofit a manual check device for those keen to have one?

[Tombie]

Many 4 stroke engines including outboards have oil level sensors fitted that either shut the engine down or restrict the revs AND a dipstick as well.
What is wrong with having both fitted[thumbsupbig]

With the amount of money we have to pay for our vehcles adding a dipstick isn't a Massive expense or an unsurmuntable engineering feat.
NOT having a dipstick fitted is a major oversight as far as I am concerned.


Very few Autos since about 2000 have one
Many engines of several makes no longer have one

Checking on the dash is easy - it takes very little time, it’s clean, no risk of contamination and the average punter doesn’t need to ‘get their hands dirty’ to give it a check.

It’s also far more accurate compared to how some people read a dipstick!

By the logic above - why don’t we have a crank handle still installed [emoji56]

[trout1105]

Very few Autos since about 2000 have one
Many engines of several makes no longer have one

Checking on the dash is easy - it takes very little time, it’s clean, no risk of contamination and the average punter doesn’t need to ‘get their hands dirty’ to give it a check.

It’s also far more accurate compared to how some people read a dipstick!

By the logic above - why don’t we have a crank handle still installed [emoji56]

Using a dipstick not only gives you an accurate reading of the oil level it also gives you an indication of the condition of the oil, Something a didgital readout cannot do.
Just because some auto gearbox manufacturers don't fit a dipstick to their gearboxes doesn't make it a Good idea and it makes the oil change of these gearboxes more expensive as well.
As far as those that cannot read a dipstick goes they would most likely Never look under the bonnet anyway.

[DiscoJeffster]

Using a dipstick not only gives you an accurate reading of the oil level it also gives you an indication of the condition of the oil, Something a didgital readout cannot do.
Just because some auto gearbox manufacturers don't fit a dipstick to their gearboxes doesn't make it a Good idea and it makes the oil change of these gearboxes more expensive as well.
As far as those that cannot read a dipstick goes they would most likely Never look under the bonnet anyway.

You can tell the condition of an oil by eye? Who needs all that fancy testing then!

A dipstick does not necessarily give you an accurate reading. The VW golf 2005 dipstick is a woeful design and contaminates itself on each read. It’s flexy cable design to get into the sump leaves oil behind in the tube and then each subsequent attempt to read is worsened.

[trout1105]

You can tell the condition of an oil by eye? Who needs all that fancy testing then!

You can get a Good indication of the oil condition by looking at the colour, the smell and feeling the texture of it.
Impossible to do looking at a readout on the dash.

[trout1105]

Perhaps get rid of the fuel gauge? Put a dip stick on the tank? Works for my boat….

I never said to get rid of the oil level gauge on the dash, In fact I think that it is a good idea to have one.
My point is that why NOT have a dipstick fitted as well so just like on your boat you can physically check the level/condition as well.

With service reccomendations of 24000ks it would be benificial to be able to have a look at the oil in the sump occasionally don't you think[thumbsupbig]

[AK83]

....
As far as those that cannot read a dipstick goes they would most likely Never look under the bonnet anyway.

Yeah/Nah!(traditional Aussie answer ... [biggrin])

So, by this comment you're implying that you were born with the ability to read/understand/know every single aspect of looking under the bonnet?
Kudos to your parents!

Your comment disregards the most important point about wanting to learn. It singles out those who don't want to learn, and don't care .. and that they only react to the warning light, and don't understand basic preparation regarding some vehicles.

I see it differently, and some examples for you to consider:

I currently have access to a Peugeot 307 diesel. My partner knows nothing about cars, and doesn't want to know about pre checking some basics before a drive. She would be the type that simply takes car to service place and they enlighten her on the various issues once a year or so. Said Peugeot DOES have an indicator for the oil level(and from what I've noted recently seems to work) .. it shows small digital circles over the odometer for a short period before and after start up .. this way the driver "should" notice the level. It also does have a dipstick, so if the dash indicator only shows 4 of the usual 5 markings, one could then verify via the dipstick. My partner is the type NOT ... I think most definitely not the type to check dipstick, nor even notice the 4 marks rather than the usual 5 on the dash.

On the other hand, my nephew is a bit of a car nut. At 19, he simply doesn't have the experience to simply know everything about everything. He contemplated getting into mechanical stuff at one stage, but since got into a non technical/mechanical employment opportunity. That is, he will never officially be taught correct procedures about vehicle maintenance, so relies on others to show him. Last time I checked, he definitely wasn't born with the knowledge on how to check the oil level on a dipstick .. but was keen to do it. One time he did it wrong. Had he been the owner of the Peugeot, he may have seen at some point that the oil level was low at a start up point AFTER reading the dipstick wrongly tho.
What happened one day, he was checking the oil level on his little VW, and saw that the level was about right(near enough to the top). I explained to him that you don't check the dipstick with the car parked at the kerb on such an angle as it will almost always give a wrong reading. Took it onto the driveway, I had to explain to him, let it sit for a while(maybe half hour maybe less ... ). He took it all on board, so hope he can remember it all down the track, for his sake.
ps. it probably needed about half a Lt, but it was due for service soon, so we left it as is.

So like Tombie mentioned, the dash level type setup will have it own advantage as it will most probably monitor levels continuously, and either throw a warning or even shut down vehicle if critical .. something a dipstick certain could do.
The dipstick can be prone to errors, in that while it going to be accurate in the right circumstances, not everyone was born with the knowledge of how to be sure it is accurate(ie. my nephew).

Also on the topic of not ideal dipstick designs, the previously mentioned Pug diesel has an annoying dipstick type in that the oil reading section, has this annoying cross sectional hatch texture, which makes it annoying to wipe and get a second reading. Being diesel, it's pretty black, so the first dip stain remains on it, no matter when it was done(eg. just prior to oil change). When fresh oil is added, you simply can't see it's level .. the black stain of the old oil remains. Best way to see an accurate dipstick reading is to clean the oil measuring area with brake clean or similar after every dip .. it's quite stupid really.

Why these modern engineers can't just stick with tried and true practises never ceases to amaze me sometimes ... what's wrong with the good old plain flat shiny steel disptick with small cutouts to show min/max level points?

[BradC]

what's wrong with the good old plain flat shiny steel disptick with small cutouts to show min/max level points?

I think it's to do with todays oils being like water when cold, and ethanol when hot. They just run off the dispstick, so they put some patterning on there to try and retain some.
The old 20w50 was ok when cold or hot. The new 0w30 or 0w20? Not so much.

Just my theory anyway.

[AK83]

I think it's to do with todays oils being like water when cold, and ethanol when hot. They just run off the dispstick, so they put some patterning on there to try and retain some.
The old 20w50 was ok when cold or hot. The new 0w30 or 0w20? Not so much.

Just my theory anyway.

Yeah, good point. Also, steel is more expensive than plastic too .. anyhow .. another aspect of modernisation that seems to be backwards in some respects.

[trout1105]

So, by this comment you're implying that you were born with the ability to read/understand/know every single aspect of looking under the bonnet?
Kudos to your parents!

It's NOT rocket science all you have to do is pull out the dipstick, wipe it then put it back in and pull it out and look at the oil on the end of it.
A trained monkey could do this[bigwhistle]

Seriously IF you can't read a simple dipstick then you have no buisness lifting the bonnet anyway.

[BradC]

It's NOT rocket science all you have to do is pull out the dipstick, wipe it then put it back in and pull it out and look at the oil on the end of it.
A trained monkey could do this[bigwhistle]

That's it. That word right there I put in bold. Monkeys aren't born knowing how to read a dipstick.

I wasn't born knowing how a dipstick worked. I have an incredibly mechanically adept father that taught me, and his uncle George taught him. I have no idea who taught uncle George as having been born in 1902 he grew up with the horse and buggy, and I'm not sure the horses would have appreciated having a dipstick inserted.

I've met many, many people my age and younger that literally have no idea what's under the bonnet. The first time I did a head, it was for my girlfriends brother who doesn't have a mechanical bone in his body. He asked when I learned how to do that, and I replied "now apparently", but I had a good grounding in how to pull things to bits and put them together again because I was either taught, self-taught or "nudged in the right direction". I had a lot of help and I know not only when to ask for assistance, but generally from whom.

Not all kids grow up with that privilege. On the other hand, for my brother it "skipped a generation" so there's probably as much nature in there as nurture.

[DiscoJeffster]

In London back in 2007 I recall a woman getting a flat opposite the pub I was at. Three guys went to help. Ten minutes later they departed, her still with a flat tyre. I went over and asked what the issue was. She said the guys said her jack was broken and they couldn’t help.

I took one look at the scissor jack, still in place, UPSIDE DOWN. I loosened the wheel nuts, flipped the jack, changed the wheel and she was on her way.

Car knowledge isn’t implied these days. As cars have become more reliable and complex, less and less people need to be or are interested.

[BMKal]

Yes. The Vedette was built in Australia by Chrysler for two or three years before being replaced by the Valiant in 1961?.

For those not familiar with the model, it was basically the French version of the Ford Zephyr, only fitted with the side valve V8 instead of the six, and slightly larger. Ford was unable to make it work for them, and sold the Vedette works complete to Simca in about 1955. Simca dropped the larger of the V8s and used only the smaller one, fitting alloy heads and increasing compression to produce the same power. The lighter weight enabled them to change the steering ratio, and going to 15" wheels enabled brake drums to be upped to 11", which in turn enabled the pivot point of the McPherson strut to move inside the drum. These changes transformed handling. It was restyled by Farina in 1958, ending up with "wraparound" windscreen and high tailfins.

It was better equipped than most Australian cars at the time - it even had a heater! Upholstery and trim were not up to the standard of the French model. It was larger, roomier, faster, and handled better and much better braked than the contemporary Holden, but suffered from a three speed column shift that did not have a very brilliant RHD conversion! Boot was particularly cavernous - large enough that the spare stood upright on the left of the boot, inside the tailfin. Also had better lights than the Holden.

I remember as a kid my father always wanted to buy a Vedette / Beaulieu but for reasons I don't know, he never did. Traded in the old Vanguard on a Simca Aronde instead, then an Austin Freeway before a string of Toyotas (my mum still has a Yaris). He always refused to buy an "Australian" car - but loved the VL Commodore I bought in Alice Springs - maybe because it had a Nissan engine in it.

[Tombie]

It's NOT rocket science all you have to do is pull out the dipstick, wipe it then put it back in and pull it out and look at the oil on the end of it.
A trained monkey could do this[bigwhistle]

Seriously IF you can't read a simple dipstick then you have no buisness lifting the bonnet anyway.

Wrong! of you go for retraining Monkey (light hearted chuckle)

Modern dipsticks are sealed - you know, to keep all the nasties in the engine and not breathing to atmosphere....
So when you pull it out, wipe it, then shove it back in, you can - and I HAVE witnessed this - push oil away from the dipstick and get a false reading...
You can also have excess oil dragged into the tube from the first extraction/wipe and get a false high reading.

I've also seen people do it on slight inclines / angles, and others do it when the engines just finished running....



Now tell me - in line with the other "easy" tasks for trained monkeys - how do you disconnect/change a battery on a modern vehicle? Just pop the bonnet and whip off the negative right? [bigwhistle]



It's not difficult - but it is different to what I first began my mechanical / electrical journey working on [thumbsupbig]
And I prefer the new - more complex to work on however much less likely to need working on.

[scarry]

Simple - a dipstick only reads if you take it out and read it right (which many no longer know how to do properly).

Easier than checking the tyre pressures and adjusting,but yes some cant do that either.Maybe they shouldnt have a vehicle,if they cant do the very simple stuff.

An oil level sensor - ties directly to the ECU and adds a level of safety. If level gets critical, vehicle faults and shuts down. Preventing a Numpty from seizing their engine.

A dip stick does not does this, nor does the idiot light - often when it’s come on some level of damage has been done.

Does the D4(staying on topic), do this,that is shuts the engine down if the level gets low?Calibrating the control would be critical to stop nuisance tripping,but stop an engine failure in time.Oil level in a moving operating vehicle continually moves..A better way might be to electronically monitor oil pressure and shut the engine down..Or fit a level float which many vehicles have,and brings an idiot light on,but not shut down the engine, then again,many may ignore it.The level lights generally flash on and off as the oil level in the engine moves up and down,giving the driver an indication the oil is getting low.


By the same logic - why have a temperature gauge? Surely the old Torana “you’re stuffed” light is all that’s needed?

Perhaps get rid of the fuel gauge? Put a dip stick on the tank? Works for my boat….

Great idea,maybe get rid of the wipers?Just have to stop every so often to clean off the screen?[biggrin]
And while stopped,easy to dip the fuel tank.....Temp guages on many vehicles these days are electronically controlled and useless anyway.probably ignored by most no doubt.Why not shut the engine down if the temperature gets too high?Some do,go into limp mode,great idea if the guage is basically useless.

[scarry]

Very few Autos since about 2000 have one
Many engines of several makes no longer have one

So LR must be the odd one out, had a bit of an "experiment" without them,but now almost every late model offering,with the new engines has one.

Seems a bit strange to go "backwards",if they are a great idea.

Maybe they have been listening to customers,but i highly doubt that is correct.

https://www.ownerinfo.landrover.com/

Anyway,i think the Dipstick issue has just about been worn out[smilebigeye]
Each to their own[biggrin]

[Arapiles]

By the logic above - why don’t we have a crank handle still installed [emoji56]

My first car did have a crank handle.

[JDNSW]

One of my two cars (the 2a) has a crankhandle. Very helpful when you have inadvertently left something switched on over the weekend!

[jh972]

My first car did have a crank handle.

My first several cars had crank handles, and it's one of the reasons I loved Range Rovers - until they dropped it too. (Had it longer than most)

[350RRC]

One of my two cars (the 2a) has a crankhandle. Very helpful when you have inadvertently left something switched on over the weekend!

My 74 RRC has the crank handle hole in the front bumper.

Pretty sure the rebuilt 70's 350 in this RRC, with 700,000 k's on it post rebuild, has a crank handle fitting in the crank snout, but they didn't quite line up when I tried it once.

DL