GM: No dipstick, dipsh*t.

[A112358]

I guess GM is trying to "drive" customers to Ford.

From X:
Hedgie
@HedgieMarkets

GM announced that the 2027 Silverado and Sierra V8 trucks will not have a physical oil dipstick. Drivers will have to use a digital gauge on the dashboard instead. You need to start the engine and wait for the computer to give you a reading. A YouTube mechanic tested a similar system on another GM truck, drained a large amount of oil, and the digital gauge never changed. The sensor costs hundreds to replace. A dipstick costs about $10.

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[HeyBales]

I guess they heard so many horror stories of far too many drivers never checking it - what's the use.
That way they can warn them - maybe at some point refuse to allow ICE to run if too low.

Because really - what a waste of time people making warranty claims when they know full well they skipped on oil changes or never checked and it got too low.

It's just too bad they think removing it, rather than adding the sensor, is the only solution.
I'm sure a huge expense with tube and dipstick!

 

[TrailFit Truck]

Dipsh*ts are free

 

[zen_]

Not really cheering for the demise of GM since they still employ a lot of people in good paying jobs directly and indirectly despite trying to outsource everything, but these decisions are really hard to compute. Actually kinda sad to see a company that has produced a lot of innovative and bulletproof vehicles (like the GMT400) reduced to making such crap.

If I needed a full size truck I'd just get the most basic F-150 with the 2.7L possible before they are gone, although the 3.0L seems fine as well.

 

[Joe Strummer]

Transmissions used to have dipsticks. Now they are sealed units (no dipstick). This prolongs the life of any lubricant since contaminants and water can't get in. At least that's what my Ford Service Department told me.

 

[Carlitos_92]

Meh. Other manufacturers (ze Germans) have been doing this for a while now.

I know this forum tilts towards the "I used to change my own oil and dump the old stuff in a hole in the ground" age group, but the truth is, vehicles (and their owners) are trending to doing less of their own maintenance. Out of all the GM lines of vehicles, the trucks seem an odd choice, and they'll get some pushback, but this is probably going to continue across their brand, and others too.

Personally, I'm not a fan of it, but I never thought the Maverick dipstick was all that foolproof anyway.

 

[A112358]

There is nothing wrong with the low tech, low cost dipstick method to check the oil level. What benefit is there to the expensive electronic method? Is it anything more than another “idiot light” like the low oil pressure indicator?

 

[nbmav]

Meh. Other manufacturers (ze Germans) have been doing this for a while now.

My wife's Minis (2012 and current 2026) both do this, probably due to BMW. If I want to check the oil level I need to drive the car around the block a couple times to warm it up, then park it, and then wait for about a minute while it measures the oil level. What used to take a few seconds now takes 5-10 minutes, very annoying!

 

[Carlitos_92]

My wife's Minis (2012 and current 2026) both do this, probably due to BMW. If I want to check the oil level I need to drive the car around the block a couple times to warm it up, then park it, and then wait for about a minute while it measures the oil level. What used to take a few seconds now takes 5-10 minutes, very annoying!

To be fair, you're typically "supposed to" check your oil with a dipstick when the engine oil is warm, and then allowed to settle in the pan for a bit after you turn off the engine.

Time-wise, I don't see how what you're doing is any slower than driving the car around the block a couple times to warm it up, then parking it, then waiting for about a minute while the oil settles, then grabbing a paper towel, then opening the hood, and then checking the dipstick.

 

[Bdesign]

My wife's Minis (2012 and current 2026) both do this, probably due to BMW. If I want to check the oil level I need to drive the car around the block a couple times to warm it up, then park it, and then wait for about a minute while it measures the oil level. What used to take a few seconds now takes 5-10 minutes, very annoying!

plus you are burning gas- kind of defeats the start-stop argument

 

[Bob The Builder]

Meh. Other manufacturers (ze Germans) have been doing this for a while now.

I know this forum tilts towards the "I used to change my own oil and dump the old stuff in a hole in the ground" age group, but the truth is, vehicles (and their owners) are trending to doing less of their own maintenance. Out of all the GM lines of vehicles, the trucks seem an odd choice, and they'll get some pushback, but this is probably going to continue across their brand, and others too.

Personally, I'm not a fan of it, but I never thought the Maverick dipstick was all that foolproof anyway.

I get your point. What we compare is a hands on do it yourself generation that is giving way to a hands on your cell phone generation and if there is a problem check Tik Tok.

The day I got my driver's license I asked my Dad to borrow his pickup. He told me I may have passed the state test but not his. He wanted me to check the oil, coolant, air in the tires and watched me as I changed a tire. That type of common sense hands on approach is gone and gone forever I fear.

 

[Timothyd]

I guess GM is trying to "drive" customers to Ford.

From X:
Hedgie
@HedgieMarkets

GM announced that the 2027 Silverado and Sierra V8 trucks will not have a physical oil dipstick. Drivers will have to use a digital gauge on the dashboard instead. You need to start the engine and wait for the computer to give you a reading. A YouTube mechanic tested a similar system on another GM truck, drained a large amount of oil, and the digital gauge never changed. The sensor costs hundreds to replace. A dipstick costs about $10.

Just had my oil changed. Checked it before (dark brown) and after (almost clear). I'll miss being able to get that feedback. I wonder about the possibility for fraud with no dipstick.

 

[Carlitos_92]

I get your point. What we compare is a hands on do it yourself generation that is giving way to a hands on your cell phone generation and if there is a problem check Tik Tok.

That's a huge generalization, and one that seems to be the first go-to for "old guys." I'm not going to buy into it.

What I will say, is that there is materially no difference between checking your oil with a dipstick, and checking it in the gauge cluster. Teach "the cell phone generation" or whatever you want to call "the kids" to check their oil either way, and you've taught them well.

As far as dipsticks, you can't determine much from the shade of brown the oil is, and the issues that lead to milky oil or the smell of fuel in oil are far less common than they used to be. In any case, I am not advocating for the removal of dipsticks. I am just here to tell the guys who used to fear the removal of hand-crank windows that it's going to be okay.

 

[ricwan]

Just had my oil changed. Checked it before (dark brown) and after (almost clear). I'll miss being able to get that feedback. I wonder about the possibility for fraud with no lipstick.

as always since the dawn of man, if there is a chance to commit fraud, someone somewhere will. trust but verify.

 

[1929]

2027 Silverado and Sierra pickup trucks will have dipstick. On diesel six and gasoline four engines.

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