I've wondered this for a while and this seems like a good time to ask: Do electric cars use motor oil in the same way as an internal combustion vehicle? Like do you need to get oil changes in an all electric the same way and have a need for a dipstick?
this post was submitted on 23 May 2025
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Electric cars do have oil that will ultimately need changing but it's less exposed to contaminants than the engine oil in a internal combustion engine and therefore will last a lot longer. EVs typically have a reduction gearbox and differential and these will require oil changes in a similar fashion to a manual gearbox or differential in a ICE vehicle - i.e. barring exceptional circumstances it will last long enough to get out of warranty but don't believe it will never need changing.
Nope. The only fluid I worry about in my EV is windshield wiper fluid.
Got my mechanic to replace the transmission fluid in mine after 80,000km, cost $90NZD
And the blinker one right? EVs still have that afaik.
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I'm not sure if this is universally true but I've never seen a fully electric vehicle that uses motor oil. Hybrid vehicles with an internal combustion engine and an electric drive train would still need it, of course.
Not having to take my car for oil changes is bliss.
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Back when I worked at a BMW store we had to, after changing the oil, start up the vehicle and get it up to temperature before it would give us a reading. Several times the vehicle caught on fire for some reason during this process. So fucking stupid.
The real reason is that owners would not reseat the dipstick properly, which would cause a vacuum leak and a lean fuel mixture that would trigger the CEL.
But you can't expect Jalopnik writers to know basic facts like this.
The real reason is that owners would not reseat the dipstick properly, which would cause a vacuum leak and a lean fuel mixture that would trigger the CEL.
That is absolutely piss-poor design. But definitely a BMW thing to do.
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This proactive approach helps to avert potential engine damage
Ah yes, the old "you're too stupid to do anything by yourself, so we kindly prevent you from trying"
I would argue that it adds a new failure point, and a catastrophic one at that.
Yes, many hunans don't monitor their oil properly. I've seen some destroy engines because they thought the low oil light could be ignored for a week.
Even if you still had the dipstick, owners would become reliant on the sensor and grenade the engine when it gets it wrong. Remember how Teslas had hoods that flew open while driving? The problem wasn't the latch. The problem was owners relying on a crappy sensor.
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Why the clickbait? Just put why in the title or post description
New Cars Don't All Come With Dipsticks Anymore Because Of Digital Oil Level Measurement
Let me guess, this Digital Measurement is only availible to CeRtIfIeD tEcHnIcIaNs iNtO wHoSe aSsHoLe we pUsHeD oUr fInGeR at lEAsT 30 Cm?
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I hate all these automatic sensors in new cars. I don't usually buy new cars, I get ones that are a few years used. Almost all of them have a light on the dash for a "tire error" because the stupid sensor has died and no one in their right mind wants to spend $300 to replace a thing that tells you your tire pressure is low. Plus, the things die in a few years anyway.
I just do the Homer Simpson solution and put a bit of black tape over the tire error light.
$300? A TPS sensor replacement should cost like $75 including the sensor itself.
A tire pressure sensor sensor? And the tire pressure sensor sensor includes the sensor itself? 😉
TPMS = Tire Pressure Monitoring System
So yes, "TPMS sensor" is a valid term.
About $300 is what the mechanics in the area usually charge. The dealership is more.
They are like 50 bucks for all 4 tires on ebay. Just get a wheel shop to install it.
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About $300 is what the mechanics in the area usually charge.
That's complete robbery. Go to a tire shop.
$70 at Discount Tire.
Each?!?!
Fuck that. I'll pay $300 for the set and let them do the work for me. LOL
Yeah, that's pretty cheap. Is your $300 number for all 4? Because that's more expensive than Discount Tire's price...
Sounds like a scam by big oil to sell more oil.
My wife’s electric car doesn’t have a dipstick.
Unless you're sitting in it. ;)