Low Oil Level Mystery

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Moomoo

I would normally concur but I’ve not had a bit of trouble over the last seven years , with electronic handbrakes , on two cars.

I would tend to agree Andrew. The electronic handbrake on my Porsche had to have a 'regrinding procedure' when the motor car was only about 3 years old, costing about £150 I recall. I have had no problems with the normal type handbrakes on my Skoda (operates on the discs) or my Volvos 244 or 122S.

Sometimes technology becomes a solution looking for a problem.

:-)

Alan

[concrete]

Originally Posted by Whyman

Until the cable stretches or seizes!

I’ve never had one seize and it’s a simple adjustment to take up any slack.

[StanC]

Originally Posted by concrete

Some things manufactures put on cars are ridiculous. A dipstick is so simple to use and reliable and the other thing I think is nuts is electronic handbrakes. Why replace something so simple that has worked forever.

I agree. I also agree with Alan's comment about technology becoming a solution looking for a problem. Dipsticks and conventional cable-operated handbrakes are simple, effective devices that have done the job reliably for decades. Why replace them with more complexity? More to go wrong. Both my cars are 'older' so I don't suffer from these 'improvements'.

One of my neighbours recently decided to replace the brake pads/shoes on his Jaguar. Got started but then found he couldn't finish the job without the computer software needed to reprogram the handbrake - which he's never liked because it's got a mind of its own, operating at random.

You've got me started now . . . . . . !!!

Stan.

[AlwaysLearning]

Electric handbrakes ... helps the physically less able to make sure enough pull is made to keep the car still. We've all had that didn't pull it hard enough moments.

Electronic dipstick ... at least if the car tells you you're running low, there's less chance of cooking your engine simply because you had no idea you were out of oil.

Indicators ... by their use, signals to police patrol cars that the Audi in front of them has been stolen. No genuine Audi driver uses indicators.

We are a minority. We take interest in how our mobile money pits work and how to fix them. Most folk have no interest in cars; they buy into the lifestyle image the advertisers push, shell out a monthly fee for having it sit on the drive to impress the neighbours, and at the end of three years, having rarely opened the bonnet, move on to the next shiny thing.

My weekend project will be to eye up where to drill a hole in the engine to fit a manual dipstick. I have already straightened out an old coat hanger so I'm half way there!

[ITSv40]

So true about folks not opening bonnets.

When I bought my V40 I opened the bonnet to check the oil before driving it home. The previous owner was standing there and asked how I knew where the bonnet release was as he had never opened the bonnet, in his 7 years of ownership, and would not have known how to. I explained that I had had a V40 previously so knew my way around and then asked him how he had filled the washer bottle up or changed a headlight bulb. He replied: oh it always went back to Volvo for that. That is what I call full Volvo service history😀

[StanC]

Originally Posted by AlwaysLearning

Electric handbrakes ... helps the physically less able to make sure enough pull is made to keep the car still. We've all had that didn't pull it hard enough moments.

Electronic dipstick ... at least if the car tells you you're running low, there's less chance of cooking your engine simply because you had no idea you were out of oil.

Indicators ... by their use, signals to police patrol cars that the Audi in front of them has been stolen. No genuine Audi driver uses indicators.

We are a minority. We take interest in how our mobile money pits work and how to fix them. Most folk have no interest in cars; they buy into the lifestyle image the advertisers push, shell out a monthly fee for having it sit on the drive to impress the neighbours, and at the end of three years, having rarely opened the bonnet, move on to the next shiny thing.

My weekend project will be to eye up where to drill a hole in the engine to fit a manual dipstick. I have already straightened out an old coat hanger so I'm half way there!

I take your point about electronic handbrakes helping people who have limited strength. Regarding the electronic dipstick warning the driver of low oil level, however, every car I've had - which have had physical dipsticks - has had a low oil level warning light on the dash. My 960 has dashlights warning of both low oil level and low oil pressure. I also agree with what you say about most owners.

Stan.

[techwatcher]

Originally Posted by ITSv40

So true about folks not opening bonnets.

When I bought my V40 I opened the bonnet to check the oil before driving it home. The previous owner was standing there and asked how I knew where the bonnet release was as he had never opened the bonnet, in his 7 years of ownership, and would not have known how to. I explained that I had had a V40 previously so knew my way around and then asked him how he had filled the washer bottle up or changed a headlight bulb. He replied: oh it always went back to Volvo for that. That is what I call full Volvo service history😀

Reminded me of chatting with my manager back in the 90s. We were talking about cars and she was almost proud of the fact that she had never opened the bonnet of her (company) car. I asked 'what about filling the washer bottle?'. Her response - 'if the washer bottle's empty then it needs a service'!