Jiffy Lube screwed my engine.

Did you ever read the owners manaul? When the oil light comes on that is your clue to immediately turn off the engine. It does not mean drive to a service center. I would say you are partially to blame for the damage to your car.

------------------ Alex

A friend of mine told me that the last time he went to change his oil at home, he discovered that Jiffy Boob had lost or stripped out his original plug bolt and stuck a temporary plastic piece of crap in its place. He didn't know that it was temporary until he took it out and couldn't get it back in. He had to ride a bike to the auto parts store to get a replacement.

By the way, why the hell can't car manufacturers design a better oil gauging system. I get a light that tells me when I'm low on gas and even window washer fluid but they can't make an oil warning light that comes on sooner then 2 minutes before meltdown?

Cost and idiots. Ford used to have a real oil pressure gauge and a low oil light on mustangs. The low oil light would come on when on a hill (of course it would!) and the oil pressure would be change with engine temp as it warmed up (of course!). Some people didn't understand these facts and at least with the oil pressure would take their cars in for warranty service. Ford solved the problem and cut costs by eliminating the low oil level sender. (the light is still in gauge cluster on my '97) and replace the real oil pressure sending unit with a simple switch that when there is pressure it sends the needle to midrange.

they used to manufacture cars with oil pressure gauges but really, the idiot light functions as it should, at around 7 psi (may vary) typically the light goes on to alert the driver there is a BIG PROBLEM and they should SHUT THE ENGINE OFF

another thing about gauges. does anyone actually pay attention to those gauges? i've had people get towed to the shop with a no start condition, and i admit it, the first time i didn't look at the gas gauge first and i did all kinds of diag only to suddenly realize there was NO FSKING FUEL in the tank! now, the first thing i do with a no start is CHECK THE GAS! seems like a shame to charge someone a $35 diag fee to tell them they need gas inthe tank to run the car.

English cars from the fifties had an oil level gauge that worked better than most of their other electricals. Some modern cars also have a low oil level warning. In fact, some years of RX 7s had only a low oil level light- no pressure warning. IMO, that's all that's needed.

Chas Hurst

My '93 Aerostar has a low oil level light and my father-in-law's '99 Olds

98 has one. The one on the Aerostar only samples the level when you start the vehicle, AFAIK, and will stay on until you shut the engine off. I presume the Olds sensor works the same way.

I b'lieve you are mistaken about the quantity of oil trapped in the head(s). Unless you are considering a very old 'Merican V8. Mercedes also has used a low oil level warning. Not sure if they still do. A low oil level warning does not measure quantity of oil in the pan, just warns of a low level. But, how many drivers watch their gauges? Maybe a message on the cell phone would be better.

Chas

I have one of those stupid lights on my 93 Grand Am. The light almost never goes off even when the oil's full.... Thankfully the oil pressure warning is a separate light.

And that little problem can be repaired easy enough. Bob

Not really relevant to an automobile because a shutdown without any warnings could cause an accident. Carmakers have to just warn you of a problem with an idiot light, gauge, whatever and let the driver stop...... or not. Bob

snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com

And if it WAS defective, you can also fault the driver for operating the engine without a major safety system. Still, how many of us really check the idiot light panel when we turn the key to start?

Ed

i want to screw you twice

From where do you obtain this information or derive this analysis? Perhaps automobile manufacturers should also remove electrical fuses and allow wiring harnesses to destroy themselves in the same inevitable manner that an engine without lubrication will. There already exist many a safeguard on auto sub-systems that result in the vehicle being disabled, why the engine should be exempt from such an approach might lead one to a most cynical conclusion.

Ummm. Let's see. I am driving across a railroad crossing and my engine loses oil pressure. I'd rather have a wrecked engine than get hit by a train. Get it now?

Every car on the road has a fantastic onboard computer, some just have really poor programming and I/O.

How tremendously insightful, did you conjure that scenario alone or did it require your soliciting assistance? As aforementioned, "there already exist many a safeguard on auto sub-systems that result in the vehicle being DISABLED..." when reading, at least attempt (or feign, if beyond your abilities) comprehension without resorting to condescension showcasing your incompetence at critical reasoning.

That was a good example, here is another... You're driving down the highway and pull out to pass a slower vehicle. The engine automatically shuts down due to low oil pressure and you slam into an oncoming vehicle. The survivors would sue the piss out of the car maker if they actually designed such a feature. I wouldn't expect a smartass like you to ever understand though. Bob

analysis?

Yes, wholly disregard and not address the issue oriented response of an adversary and instead supply another brain dead-on-arrival example.

This response seems more than fitting for you as well:

How tremendously insightful, did you conjure that scenario alone or did it require your soliciting assistance? As aforementioned, "there already exist many a safeguard on auto sub-systems that result in the vehicle being DISABLED..." when reading, at least attempt (or feign, if beyond your abilities) comprehension without resorting to condescension showcasing your incompetence at critical reasoning.

But you are obviously a slack-jawed imbecile. Why should he, or anyone else, waste their time on you? The only real question here is whether you were born with a brain defect or whether it is the result of some injury.