
Here are my real thoughts on how things might go down when those customer relations, marketing research people get together with the engineers that design the car engines. Colorful adjectives added for comedic relief.
Customer "Waaaahhh, I want better gas mileage and performance,"
Engineer "Ok, but there are tradeoffs, a smaller turbo motor will have to work harder, lighter weight oil and low tension rings might mean a little more oil consumption, so with longer oil change intervals, you might need to check the level and add a quart occasionally."
Customer "Waaaaaahh, my engine burns oil."
Marketing geniuses "Let's remove the oil level sensor to save money and so the customer won't know he's a couple of quarts low."
Customer "Waaaahhh, my engine blew up because I didn't change the oil for 15k miles and never checked the level" Lawyers "Call the whaaambulance, someone's feelings got hurt."
The pussification of automobile drivers have caused this.
End Rant