4th Generation Oil Gauge

[Trainmaster]

For many years, Ford oil gauges were fake. -- They were simply "idiot lights with a needle" that displayed slightly above middle if there was some "sufficient" oil pressure.

Now that we have these fancy video gauges, do the new "gauges" actually display different degrees of pressure?

 

[Left Coast Geek]

last car I had with an actual oil pressure gauge, calibrated in BAR, were Mercedes E class from circa late 80s/early 90s. These would go down to ~1 BAR at idle when warmed up, and peg at 3 BAR under loads.

 

[LokiWolf]

For many years, Ford oil gauges were fake. -- They were simply "idiot lights with a needle" that displayed slightly above middle if there was some "sufficient" oil pressure.

Now that we have these fancy video gauges, do the new "gauges" actually display different degrees of pressure?

They do, but they are still somewhat "normalized". They do not move unless there is a certain degree of change, so that the actual fluctuations are not shown that happen under normal RPM changes. I found the smoothing data for our 2020 that was being used at some point, but not sure where I saved that. Let me see if I can find it.

I know using a tool like my HPTuners MPVI2 I can see the real numbers and at a pretty good sampling rate. We used it on the Explorer ST's to discover we were starving the pickup under hard launches, and the factory fill in general was 1 quart low.

 

[sjwhiteley]

It’s funny, but those minute changes of pressure (temperature, or whatever) are the most important indicators of a future problem.

 

[apex96]

They do, but they are still somewhat "normalized". They do not move unless there is a certain degree of change, so that the actual fluctuations are not shown that happen under normal RPM changes. I found the smoothing data for our 2020 that was being used at some point, but not sure where I saved that. Let me see if I can find it.

I know using a tool like my HPTuners MPVI2 I can see the real numbers and at a pretty good sampling rate. We used it on the Explorer ST's to discover we were starving the pickup under hard launches, and the factory fill in general was 1 quart low.

Loki, if you stumble across smoothing data or know of a way to make it show a more realistic real-time reading, I'd be interested in implementing it... Honestly it's one of the things I like about GM trucks/SUVs they show the real time readings. I'm sure it may freak some folks out but that's what the idiot light is for, when you have a serious issue and most folks know to heed the idiot light...

 

[LokiWolf]

Loki, if you stumble across smoothing data or know of a way to make it show a more realistic real-time reading, I'd be interested in implementing it... Honestly it's one of the things I like about GM trucks/SUVs they show the real time readings. I'm sure it may freak some folks out but that's what the idiot light is for, when you have a serious issue and most folks know to heed the idiot light...

Yeah, I had it somewhere. But never dug into changing it. When I get back to work on Monday, I can slow down a little and dig through my files.

 

[LokiWolf]

It’s funny, but those minute changes of pressure (temperature, or whatever) are the most important indicators of a future problem.

Yep!!! Like I said we used it to figure out some important things in the Explorer ST community!

 

[42pilot]

I use a Veepeak OBD bluetooth reader where I can see about 65 difference parameters on my 2020 3.5L model. Oil pressure on this reader shows in psi. At idle, I show about 21 psi. At 2100 rpm its about 30 psi. At 4500 rpm, it shows about 45 psi. I used to tow a 6,000 lb trailer and I watched everything on long trips. Especially when going up grades above 5,000 ft and the divide. Anyway, its cheap, appears to be accurate, and a good tool for monitoring and diagnosing. You can also clear codes if you get one.

 

[JasonH]

I posted my Torque setup before. Very handy for monitoring engine parameters.

 

[dr2024]

…

I know using a tool like my HPTuners MPVI2 I can see the real numbers and at a pretty good sampling rate. We used it on the Explorer ST's to discover we were starving the pickup under hard launches, and the factory fill in general was 1 quart low.

Very interesting.

Was the factory fill also showing 1 quart low on the dipstick?

 

[LokiWolf]

Very interesting.

Was the factory fill also showing 1 quart low on the dipstick?

Yes. Some lower than that. The 3.0 in the Explorer ST's is also known to use some oil. So that is a factor.