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2015 Ford Mustang GT Long-Term Road Test | Edmunds.com
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Our 2015 Ford Mustang GT wins the award for the most awkwardly placed dipstick of this model year. There it is on the right, tucked down beneath the strut tower brace. The dipstick pulls out about 3 inches before it must be bent significantly to circumvent its neighbors.
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Does the car have an oil monitoring system, either for oil change duration or oil level? I know they're not particularly accurate for the level sensors, but I could see the vast majority of car owners utilizing that way more often than actually popping the hood and checking the fluids. It's a sign of the changing of the times. I'm not that old (37) but I've actually met "adults" that had no clue how to check their own fluids or change a tire. And I know it's sexist, but it surprises me more when it's a guy than when it's a girl.
This dipstick is not that big a deal. Check the oil 5 times and you'll have it down pat. No issue on my '11 GT w/ a STB.
I'm right at 6', depending on what 7-11 I'm in. Luckily, I've got long arms, so I've not had an issue, so long as I reach from the Driver's Side with my 2013 F-150. I haven't got a 2015, so I can't say if there's a difference.
You know, it's amazing when you consider that the 5.0 Coyote with it's 360 HP (at least on my 2013) has greater horsepower rating than the 5.4 Liter V8 from just a few years ago.
How many miles do you put on your car every few weeks? Also keeping your oil topped off has nothing to do with "smoother running". There is no reason to add oil unless it needs a half a quart or so. Our cars do not leak oil so I check them every few thousand miles. I just had the oil changed today in my wifes 2007 PT Cruiser 2.4Turbo (72K miles). I changed at 7500 miles (just a bit over a year) and it had used 1/2qt of Mobil 1 in that time (and had just turned a bit brown). I noticed it being 1/2 qt low about a month ago but I knew I was going to change it soon so there was no reason to add any. $26 for the 5qt jug of Mobil 1 with a Mopar filter for $8 at Wal Mart and I took it to the shop I have been going to for years and they changed it for $15 for a bit over $50 for full synthetic and factory filter change. Its a great shop but of course they put the sticker on the windshield that says "Change oil every 3000/5000 miles reg/synthetic oil".
You misquoted my original post. I did not state that keeping the oil topped off results in "smoother running". I stated that using a premium synthetic oil results in smooth running (better lubrication, cleaning and protection). I have also noticed that higher quality synthetic motor oils resist break down/deterioration better than conventional motor oils. As a result, the oil level does not fall as quickly. I put between 150 and 200 miles per week on my DD for commuting to work. I can put an additional 400 miles on it on any given weekend, if I choose to see my parents who live in another state, which I do periodically. I have two older cars, an economy car (DD) and a well preserved sports coupe (weekend car) with a reputation for consuming oil between recommended maintenance intervals . I know from experience, it is easy to overlook and forget about the oil level in your car and risk it getting too low. On one occasion, it got dangerously low (the sports coupe) in between the recommended maintenance intervals. After this experience, I learned to check my oil level periodically, top it off if needed, and have the peace of mind. I still maintain that this is good practice, but you are free to do whatever you choose.
Which leads to my main point. Just think if the only experience you have is with bad cars. You're cruising around in your car, perfectly content with it, think it's great, but you don't understand just how horribly this car is compared to just about everything else. What everyone else derides, you consider THE ride. It'd be like not knowing that you can get beef in any other form than either ground chuck or MAYBE Lean. The guy that's had a chance to sample Sirloin isn't happy with Ground Chuck. He'll eat it if he has too, but only till he can afford the Sirloin.
So when we get to a point of a car that there is an article devoted to the dipstick (which I'm not disputing can be irritating), think how far we've come with vehicles.
I've had some great cars. I've had some horrible cars. Okay, one horrible car, the 2006 PT Loser that my wife talked me into. I've had some middling cars that weren't bad, but weren't exceptional. I've had vehicles that were perfectly suited for what I needed from them, I've had others that I forced to fit a role they weren't designed for. But if all I knew was my WORST car, the PT Cruiser, to me, it'd be normal and not that bad.
Imagine if someone from the 60s took a modern car out for a drive without the passage of time, where they could see the advancements progress. They'd be blown away by a freaking Civic or Focus on the speed, acceleration, and handling. And the tech gadgets would confuse the snot out them.
Just a thought.
Ummm ok, BUT, although I agree that synthetic oils are far superior to organic ones, they still dont keep an engine running "smoother".
Which leads to my main point. Just think if the only experience you have is with bad cars. You're cruising around in your car, perfectly content with it, think it's great, but you don't understand just how horribly this car is compared to just about everything else. What everyone else derides, you consider THE ride. It'd be like not knowing that you can get beef in any other form than either ground chuck or MAYBE Lean. The guy that's had a chance to sample Sirloin isn't happy with Ground Chuck. He'll eat it if he has too, but only till he can afford the Sirloin.
So when we get to a point of a car that there is an article devoted to the dipstick (which I'm not disputing can be irritating), think how far we've come with vehicles.
I've had some great cars. I've had some horrible cars. Okay, one horrible car, the 2006 PT Loser that my wife talked me into. I've had some middling cars that weren't bad, but weren't exceptional. I've had vehicles that were perfectly suited for what I needed from them, I've had others that I forced to fit a role they weren't designed for. But if all I knew was my WORST car, the PT Cruiser, to me, it'd be normal and not that bad.
Imagine if someone from the 60s took a modern car out for a drive without the passage of time, where they could see the advancements progress. They'd be blown away by a freaking Civic or Focus on the speed, acceleration, and handling. And the tech gadgets would confuse the snot out them.
Just a thought.</blockquote>
One does not have to go that far back to realize how much better newer cars are. I recently changed a main fuel pump relay on an friend's 89 Acura Legend L. This is a one owner car garaged all its life but driven a decent amount (199K miles) that has been pretty reliable but YUCK! Uncomfortable seats with the steering wheel too far away, horrible plastics and in typical Honda fashion, every thing you want to do requres you do it twice......want to use the cruise? First turn on the switch on the dash (American cars stopped this in the 70s) then use it. Want to set the seat memory? Turn on the master switch on the dash. Want to pop the trunk? Dont forget to keep the master switch on in the glovebox. All in all, a pretty miserable car to have to drive......not too bad to ride in but driving is not in the least bit enjoyable.
You can't simply hit the Set button after you start the vehicle.
http://www.dallasnews.com/business/columnists/car-talk/20121116-cruise-controls-on-off-switch-there-for-a-reason.ece