The dipstick is obviously placed in a rather difficult to reach place. My wife will not even consider checking the oil especially when the engine is hot and I am not thrilled with it either. I am considering extending the length of the dip stick with a stainless piece and adding a new anodized handle. Does this make sense and do you think it will work? If I were able to provide a longer dip stick like this would anyone else be interested? Do you think it would be necessary to also extend the tube or would extending the stick be enough? How much length sounds reasonable?

By the way I believe I could get the handle in silver black, blue and red

So,

To recap what you just said.

You need a dipstick extension to satisfy your wife. :D


Seriously though,
I think you'd be better off extending the handle. You'd want to make it think so it doesn't bend when you go to check it.

Personally, I don't like the idea of that. I think having the chance of burning my hand is all part of car ownership and I wouldn't want to corrupt that pureness.

If extending a dipstick was all that was needed to satisfy a wife...

Hey, I'm only 20, what do I know about wives? Girlfriends are satisfied easily... ;)

I'm pretty satisfied with the length of my dipstick.

So is my wife.

:D

Not joking around here, but my dipstick is bent. LOL can't help but laugh when I say that, but in all honesty...

I pulled it out one time with the engine cover still on it, I was at an awkward position and wouldn't you know the darn thing bent out of shape, and to this day I can't get the kink out of it. My old Camaro had the dipstick attached / inside of the place where you add oil, was a lot easier to look at the oil without having to bipass a bunch of cords and such.

-Rupes

A bent dip stick is no laughing matter!!

Guys your responses are great. I had'nt really thought about the consequences of what I was saying. I was speaking of extending the handle. That is for those who do mind burning there hand and aren't such purist. I was one of those myself about thirty years ago and enjoyed bending over the car and stretching down to find the dipstick. Today I am lazier and fussier.

..... I pulled it out one time with the engine cover still on it, I was at an awkward position and wouldn't you know the darn thing bent out of shape, and to this day I can't get the kink out of it. .....

Yep, you could hurt your dipstick if you do it while in an awkward position :D.

I've never had any problems pulling mine out with the cover on - that must have been one helluva' position you were in.

rx8cited

I don't mind som much the length of my dipstick, but it's awfully dark down there. Half the time, I can't see the hole, so I wind up checking the transmission fluid in the stead. A miners hat or flood lights would be cool. :rolleyes:
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My name is Razpewton Neckbone and I approve of this message.

What transmission fluid?! You have the MT dude! :D You need more than a miners hat if you're checking the wrong car!!


Howard,

Just remember that if you extend the handle, you will have a harder time finding the hole as your dipstick will flop more.

See? I knew there would be a problem if he extended his dipstick. Raz, let's hope you're not putting your dipstick back in the wrong hole. ;)

And don't ever do it without the cover. It's dangerous and could lead to nasty diseases and little Razpewtons running around.

Ok, enough for me...

Geez!

My mind is flooded with all sorts of images now! Everyone needs to put their dipsticks away and let me get back to making more inane comments in these forums!

Most of the postings in this thread aren't worthy of increasing your post count, so I'm moving it to the Lounge ;)

Hey, I actually gave useful advice!

Checking the oil on this car is not particularly difficult once you're used to it.

I agree that there can be a problem seeing the tube. I'd say a light would be more useful than extending the handle.

I agree that a handle extension would be helpful as well as a light. RX8strakes.com has a light they sell that goes on a clip in the engine compartment, but I haven't tested it. Anyone here tried it?

For a car that demands consistant monitoring of the oil they sure do make it difficult. Nothing like trying to snake your hand down into a hot engine.

I kind of like the idea of a longer handle, but you are still in the same spot trying to find the hole in the dark. I usally find myself groping around with my left hand till I find the hole and then shoving in the dipstick with my right hand while guideing it in with my left hand.
All this seems to sound like some other procedure in life ? hmmmmm.

I have been thinking about this inconvenience ever since I got my 8. I think that the best solution would be to extend the tube and move it closer to the top of the engine. Of course you would have to extend the dipstick also but everything would be in an area that would give better access and wouldn't be as hard to re-insert the dipstick. You'd have to angle it out towards the drivers side so as to have clearance to pull it out without hitting your hood.