I just started dating this girl. We were talking about her car. Not a MINI, but anyway. She told me it uses oil and she adds it between changes. So I ask her how often she has to add it and she goes.... " I wait till the oil light goes on then I take it in and they top it off..."

 

Sounds like it's time to show her your dipstick and how it works.

 

Now that's thinking with yer dipstick... Jimmy!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj5ms9PJDNY&feature=related

 

Somebody somewhere around here has a signiture that says something like: "If it uses a dipstick or lipstick, it's gonna cause trouble". I think he's found the source.

 

hahaha you guys are funny

 

Girls can learn about oil. The important thing is, can she cook? You can deal with the oil but a girl who can cook is a keeper! Ask my hubby of 28 years. :-)

 

true

 

A new MINI dealer opened in the area, so i stopped by and checked it out. I was reading one of the MINI mags, and they discussed how hard it was to check the oil, and showed a good procedure to do so. I asked one of the Sales Advisors (or maybe even a manager) if I could Xerox it, and I said he should tell his customers about it. He said, and I quote "Just wait until the red light comes on."

This is from a DEALER!!

Yikes.

 

Oh. My. Goodness. WHAT a maroon.
That article was written by a member here, check the forum for it in one of the oil threads. It works VERY well.

 

Perhaps the girlfriend drives a BMW or Porsche, that don't have a dipstick, and will tell you when it's a qt low...

 

I dont expect girls to know anything about cars. So I really wouldnt care if thats what she does. Its like a girl expecting a guy to know about make up.

 

No, just an old Cavalier. 5 speed though, so she gets points for that. =)

 

I had a different gf long time ago that knew lots about cars. Her dad restored. She had this light blue Chevette with white rally stripes. She did her own breaks etc on it. Not they type that looked like a guy either. hahaha

 

So I'm not condoning waiting till the light comes on but why would anyone assume it a bad thing for the dealer to suggest this? The light is a warning indicator that the level is lower than optimal and action on the part of the driver/owner is required. The level for the warning light is purposely set to trigger at a level that is well within a safe zone; this is to allow time for corrective action to be applied. It would be nonsensical to set it otherwise. Low fuel warning is another such indicator.

=Laserjock=

 

It is extremely difficult to refrain from making a snarky comment about waiting for warning lights that may or may not function as designed to inform the driver that their car is aproaching self destruction.

 

That is a great assumption but that assumption will have you shopping for a new motor if you have a Mini Cooper R56. Many people think that the friendly lights and codes save you and your pocket book from costly repairs. The Mini R56 oil pressure sensor is not an oil level sensor at all. It has no idea how much oil your motor has. It works completely different than your fuel level float. The oil light on the R56 turns on when Low OIL pressure is detected (2 quarts of oil or less in most cases). To get low pressure the pump pickup is not getting oil and not distributing the oil on the moving parts of the motor. Low oil pressure causes problems inside your engine including oil pump failure, damage to bearings and timing chain elongation to name a few. You never want to see that light come on however you can still be damaging your motor due to low oil levels some 2000 - 5000 miles before the light comes on. It is extremely important to maintain proper working oil levels.

 

I knew that the MINI oil pressure light didn't go on until the oil was really low. That's why I was so surprised that anyone who worked at a dealer (any dealer) would say wait to the oil light comes on.

 

see attached

 

Ok, We've cleared up the fact that the Mini has a LOW PRESSURE light, not a low level light. (like BMW's Porsche's... that have no dipstick) The LOW PRESSURE light might as well be called an IT'S probably TOO LATE light. If you see that light, STOP THE ENGINE!!! Just pull over and turn it off to avoid further damage.

For a M.A. to suggest that it's ok, is reckless and irresponsible.

 

LOL, say that to my wife and she will pull the dipstick and smack you upside the head with it!

and she can cook too!

 

This should be in bold....
The comment earlier from an owner about why not wait till the light goes on is why...once some folks have owned ONE make with a add oil lite, the think all oil related lites are like that....
The dipstick is simple, basic, check technology....the light is pretty $$, and kinda rare in the auto world....

 

Dohh!!!
I sense there is a new motor in your future!!
simply put the light has nothing to do withvolume, just psi...like 90+% of the cars on the road!!

 

So sad
I grew up a "motor head". My father had me watch as he rebuilt the engine of my first car - a '65 mustang- so I would comprehend how the engine worked. Should be a skill for every person along with cooking, balancing a checkbook etc. I mean you depend on a car everyday!!!! Part of well rounded education if you ask me for Male or Female.

 

Exactly!

My wife once took her car (Buick Regal) in to Firestone because the water pump blew. They changed it and when she came to pick up the car, they told her it needed a new belt and that it would cost $275 for the part and installation. She put her hand on her hip and looked at the guy and said...

You are going to charge me $275 for a $20 part, 2 min of your time, and use of a 3/8 breaker bar?

So proud of that woman!

 

keeper!!!!!!