Am I the only one around here who....
06-09-12, 09:46 PM
#1
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Am I the only one around here who....
...is irritated that the automakers have all stopped putting oil pressure and voltmeter gauges in cars? I know it's been quite a while now, 20 years in fact, but it really grinds my gears. My 89 Firebird had the whole set of gauges. I found them useful, the oil pressure gauge in particular. My Lexus has only the fuel and water temp gauges, and I've noticed probably 98% of vehicles produced since the early 90's are the same. GM even got rid of the water temp gauge it seems on some vehicles. Only pickups seem to come with the oil pressure gauge anymore.
I just thought i'd let out a rant.
I just thought i'd let out a rant.
06-09-12, 10:21 PM
#2
Lexus Champion
Join Date: Jan 2003
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A bunch of cars don't even have engine temp gauges on the dash, cost cutting, dash layouts look better,I don't get it, manufactures are taking away useful features that will help prolong the life of the car, benefits them not the customer
06-09-12, 10:43 PM
#3
Lexus Test Driver
I don't see it as a problem. Today's modern cars and engines don't blow out oil all over the place like they did 30 years ago. There's less of a need for such gauges. I rather have the space used for instant and average fuel economy readings or even a G-meter reading. The latter would be handy to see which forces are exerted while tumbling down the side of a mountain.
06-09-12, 11:01 PM
#4
Lexus Champion
Voltmeter I can live without, but an oil pressure gauge I love having. Heck I had an '81 Toyota pickup that I put in factory gauges out of a camperized version that included amp meter, oil pressure, and volt meter. I miss having them.
06-09-12, 11:17 PM
#5
Im sure all the information and some plus the kitchen sink is all there in the ECM firmware and the numerous control modules communicating to the ECM. There should be accelerometer(s) or yaw/pitch IC's to measure G-forces, thermistors etc, everywhere
It's all a matter of what the manufacturer decides to convey to end user, the driver.
It's all a matter of what the manufacturer decides to convey to end user, the driver.
06-10-12, 10:37 AM
#8
Lexus Champion
Yeah my 535i only has the gas and fuel economy gauge which is ridiculous. When I had my 08 350Z it had water temp, voltage and oil pressure which I liked. The new Genesis coupe has them as well as I think the FR-S.
06-10-12, 11:16 AM
#9
Lexus Test Driver
Maybe the manufacturers figured those types of vehicles would be driven harder, where things may be needed to monitor more? I still think those gauges should be standard on all cars tho.
06-10-12, 02:43 PM
#13
Out of Warranty
Most gauges were deleted beginning in the '60's as it became clear that most motorists had no idea how to read or interpret them. Back then the old ammeter very clearly showed that your charging system was working or not - but it also provided verification that your water pump, power steering pump, and probably your AC compressor was turning as well because they shared a common drive belt. No surprises here. By the '80's ammeters had been replaced by voltmeters, but they were confusing to drivers who had no idea that an indication of 12v meant something was failing in the charging system.
("It's a 12 volt system, isn't it?") Yes, but it should be charging at somewhere around 13.8v if the battery is low. Normal voltage should be 12.5 to 12.8v with the engine off. If it's showing 12v or less, you may be in trouble. "Idiot lights" as they were dubbed in the '60's, don't tell you much more than "You sir, are hosed."
Oil pressure on some cars is even more arcane. Basically it depends on your engine, your engine temperature and viscosity of your oil, but 15 - 20 psi hot is generally considered adequate. If you have real instruments for measuring your oil pressure, you should look this up for your specific engine. Some may require 30 psi or even more for proper lubrication under certain conditions.
As people learn less about the internal workings of their automobiles, we have come to rely on warning lights to tell us of imminent failures . . . of course if the light or its sender isn't working properly, it may never come on. You know when your oil pressure's low when the engine seizes.
("It's a 12 volt system, isn't it?") Yes, but it should be charging at somewhere around 13.8v if the battery is low. Normal voltage should be 12.5 to 12.8v with the engine off. If it's showing 12v or less, you may be in trouble. "Idiot lights" as they were dubbed in the '60's, don't tell you much more than "You sir, are hosed."
Oil pressure on some cars is even more arcane. Basically it depends on your engine, your engine temperature and viscosity of your oil, but 15 - 20 psi hot is generally considered adequate. If you have real instruments for measuring your oil pressure, you should look this up for your specific engine. Some may require 30 psi or even more for proper lubrication under certain conditions.
As people learn less about the internal workings of their automobiles, we have come to rely on warning lights to tell us of imminent failures . . . of course if the light or its sender isn't working properly, it may never come on. You know when your oil pressure's low when the engine seizes.
06-10-12, 07:27 PM
#15
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
I had an incident once in my Firebird where I was traveling and as I got off the freeway in my destination city, I started hearing a tick tick tick. I knew it was probably oil, and a glance at the oil pressure gauge provided that confirmation. I stopped, checked it, and sure enough the oil was nearly GONE. Puzzled the hell out of me, as I had just changed it the day before and double checked everything. Had even checked it the day of the trip as well. Filled her back up and she never lost a drop for the rest of the time I owned her.
The gauge is handy. Most people probably wouldn't have noticed the ticking and kept driving. The oil pressure gauge basically confirmed what I suspected though.
Also, @ Jewcano: I don't have an android or OBD2, lol. My car's a 92.
The gauge is handy. Most people probably wouldn't have noticed the ticking and kept driving. The oil pressure gauge basically confirmed what I suspected though.
Also, @ Jewcano: I don't have an android or OBD2, lol. My car's a 92.