I agree that the dynamic oil warning system adds little over the older
single switch system but a gauge doesn't add much either IMHO. The point
of either of the switch based warning system is to immediately alert the
driver with a red light in his face. A gauge is a useful supplement to
the warning light at the most. The sudden red light in your face is a
handy thing when something causes a leak of the engine oil.

I once was dozing in the passenger seat at 70 mph when my SO says, 'HEY,
WHAT'S this red light for?' It would have been a multi thousand $$$ loss
without a working red light. A blown valve cover gasket had gradually
leaked most of the oil out. I ran that VW boxer engine ran for 10 more
years before selling it after someone crashed into me.

Gadgets guys like extra stuff on their dash for reasons that largely
escape me.  I drove a friends TDI Syncro last week and he had so many
extra gauges that they were a safety hazard due to the distractions. At
least when VW added the gauge package to their cars it was positioned
where the driver didn't have to look at it unless he wanted to.

Mark

John Bange wrote:
>> Do keep in mind that with the switch set an .9bar, (12.7 psi) you can be in
>> trouble if you can't maintain that pressure above 2,000 rpm.
>>
>
> I've always wondered if it wouldn't have been cheaper for VW to simply
> add an oil pressure gauge rather than shoehorn in that dynamic oil
> pressure sensing board. The dual-range monitoring circuit thing on the
> 86+ models seems awfully complicated for something that's not much
> more than a "change engine" light...
>
> --
> John Bange
> '90 Vanagon - "Lastwagen"
> '90 Vanagon GL - "Wiesel"
>
>
>