Help me understand why automakers hate dipsticks?

Don't they want the operators to check the fluid without the hassle?

I got a new work van, 2024 MB Sprinter 3500XD AWD 2.0L twin turbo diesel long wheelbase high roof. No dipstick, not engine, not transmission. No oil viscosity on the oil filler, not oil change interval on the operator's manual.

 

Only reason is to have your vehicles serviced by the stealerships.

 

Cheaper to manufacture. It's that simple.
Plus, most people don't check their oil level regularly, or ever.
So they add sensor and a warning light. (And that still doesn't help some people)

 

oh you should mess with a newer Mini cooper you drain the oil, use a whole lot of button and pedal and key cycling to get the thing into a change oil and then fill, and it sometimes tells you your oil is not been changed anyway, but no way to check other then to check the "sensor" on the dash that only shows life left nothing more

 

I think BMW/Mini have been doing this for years.

 

I completely understand and approve of transmission dipsticks going away. I do not agree with oil dipsticks going away. Transmissions are much more complex then 20 years ago, you have to use the correct fluid at the correct level. Modern engines need the correct viscosity to operate correctly and using 10W30 in a engine that calls for 5w15 can cause VCT issues due to the oil being to thick for that engine.
I had a very old coworker at a fleet shop whos vehicle is a 1980's chevy silverado 1500 that he thinks is the pinnacle of vehicle design, he now uses 20W50 motor oil.
He thinks transmission fluid is all the same and thus destroyed a Ford 10 speed trans cause he used trans fluid that is labled not for use in a ULV(ultra low viscosity) trans, which the Ford 10 speed transmission requires.
He is a prime example of why people cannot be trusted with transmission fluid dipsticks, yes 20% of people can understand this and do it correctly, but the other 80% want to use whatever fluid they have on hand from their dads air cooled beatle, which fuck things up and then blame the manufacturers for building crappy vehicles.

 

They have no problem wasting money on the useless tech stuff, causing endless gremlins and millions to fix.

I went to the local MB dealer, to buy an oil change kit because non of the local shops have the 2024 stuff. To my surprise, it uses 5W-30 oil for diesel, not the normal 15W-40. Here is the kicker, the parts guy would only sell me 1ltr(not quart) of oil, because they are short on the supplies. It takes 10 liters/11qt per oil change.

 

11 quarts is almost one balthazar.