I suppose General Motors figured Chevrolet Traverse owners would be in such a sleep-deprived, zombified, parental state that they'd never bother checking the oil. But oil change intervals are long on this crossover SUV -- the Traverse had its first service at 10,000 miles and isn't due to go back until 20,000 miles.
So it's not inconceivable to think that a certain percentage of owners would have the presence of mind to check the oil before setting out on a long road trip.
And this simple act is a hassle in the Traverse. Yep, Chevrolet gets points for putting a strut on the hood so you don't need a prop rod. But the dipstick tube is way short, so you have to reach down 5-6 inches to grab the yellow ring. In addition to worrying about getting your hand dirty (if you didn't don work gloves), you have to take care not to burn yourself on any of the warm metal bits.
Mind you, I still checked the oil. The level was fine. But it wouldn't have taken much effort on some engineer's part to make this a easier task.
Erin Riches, Senior Editor
lmbvette says:
07:31 AM, 01/28/11
Erin, looking at the two pictures that you've supplied, I can't see how that location is a negative in any way.
hybris says:
08:29 AM, 01/28/11
Go find a Budget or Enterprise rental cargo van either a Ford Econoline or Chevy Express\GMC Savanna and find the oil dipstick then you can reconsider complaining about the placement on the Traverse.
bimmerjay says:
08:42 AM, 01/28/11
"Go find a Budget or Enterprise rental cargo van either a Ford Econoline or Chevy Express\GMC Savanna and find the oil dipstick then you can reconsider complaining about the placement on the Traverse."
Just because other vehicles have even worse placement of the dipstick doesn't make this one any better. Especially when it looks like it could very easily be improved.
ptcdawg says:
08:46 AM, 01/28/11
It seems fine to me...something that is foreign to new BMW's.
texases says:
09:05 AM, 01/28/11
Yep, 4" too short. Ford's are much easier to get to. Look how it's below the edge of the intake cover.
hybris says:
09:47 AM, 01/28/11
"Just because other vehicles have even worse placement of the dipstick doesn't make this one any better. Especially when it looks like it could very easily be improved."
How is this one bad? Its up front and visible with plenty of room all around it for your hand.
pauldun170 says:
10:49 AM, 01/28/11
I know (at least in the non internet world) of one person who actually pops the hood of the car and checks the oil.
That would be me.
I'm sure others check the oil two but nowadays I cant think of anyone who actually lifts the hood.
joefrompa says:
11:07 AM, 01/28/11
Looks short, but was it made short because otherwise servicing of other parts would require removal of the entire dipstick tube?
Honestly, by my standards, that's pretty readily accessible. It's easy to spot, in front of the engine, and has a wide berth of space around it for your hand to slip down.
Would your hand get more dirty? Sure. But my hand gets dirty every time I touch a dipstick that's on top....dirt accumulates on the handle. So I assume I'm going to need to wash.
Would I risk burning myself? Sure, but that's pretty much the run of the mill when working on a hot engine.
Does the manual recommend you check the oil on a hot engine or cold engine? Not mentioned, but seemingly important to the validity of the complaint.
bimmerjay says:
11:08 AM, 01/28/11
"How is this one bad? Its up front and visible with plenty of room all around it for your hand."
Well, not according to Erin.
northsparrow says:
01:12 PM, 01/28/11
Keep a cheap pair of gloves in the back of the car to protect your hands when you reach for the dipstick .
This car is scheduled for 10, 000 mile oil change intervals which presumably means it comes with synthetic oil. I would be curious to know what used oil analysis tells us about the state of the oil when you reach your next service date. Does IL have the budget to get the oil tested?
firstwagon says:
04:27 PM, 01/28/11
Well I've seen worse but you're right, it would have been easy to make it a few inches longer.
Sadly most cars show a surprising lack of concern for service when it comes to the details.
brn says:
06:57 PM, 01/28/11
With this kind of nitpicking, are you sure this isn't the Ford Flex?
See if Dan can wedge his cell phone in there...
:)
bimmerjay says:
01:08 AM, 01/30/11
"This car is scheduled for 10, 000 mile oil change intervals which presumably means it comes with synthetic oil. I would be curious to know what used oil analysis tells us about the state of the oil when you reach your next service date. Does IL have the budget to get the oil tested?"
Look in the GMC Terrain archives - it also has extended intervals and IL conducted a Blackstone analysis on oil pulled from the car. The bottom line is the intervals were completely appropriate.
livininfortfun says:
08:08 PM, 03/10/11
"But the dipstick tube is way short, so you have to reach down 5-6 inches to grab the yellow ring. In addition to worrying about getting your hand dirty (if you didn't don work gloves), you have to take care not to burn yourself on any of the warm metal bits."
I doubt Chevy engineers were worried about building cars for pansies either . . .