On Wed, 3 Mar 2004, y_p_w wrote:

I'm not necessarily advocating the dipstick method. I was just thinking
that the filter should stop the large bits from reaching the sensitive
areas of the engine, unless the oil pump comes before the filter. This
of course assumes that the filter is changed before it gets clogged or
falls apart. Someone who doesn't want to crawl under the car to drain a
bolt likely won't want to change the filter either.

If that's the case, the whole question becomes moot, for the engine will
grind itself to pieces before too many oil change intervals go by.