Lighted dipstick hole?
 

Hey everyone! Just wanted to throw an idea out there, as I couldn't find it having been done by anyone yet.

Our dipsticks are located so deep in the engine compartment that they're hard to see in the daytime, let alone a gas station at night. Moving it isnt really an option, so I thought of the next best thing. I'm going to put a lighted led ring (similar looking to the ring around the cig lighter) around the dipstick holder, so it's easier to navigate the dipstick back to its home. Has anyone tried anything similar to this, or have any suggestions?

hard to see in daytime??? i dont think so

How about a luminescent tape around the spout of the dipstick?

^that may work pretty good...

as long as it can withstand the temps

How about a funnel shaped "receptor". that way we have no excuse for not being able to "find the hole" :cool:

How about a keychain LED torch...

i like to keep the crap on my key ring to a minimum, in case i need to put my keys in my pants pocket

I have an LED ear light

Like this

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/pesky-dipstick-44225/

I've never have a problem finding the hole. :D:

thanks guys! The luminescent tape seems like a good idea, maybe coupled to a funnel. Maybe I need to get used to it, since I moved to my 8 from an Audi (where the dipstick is front and center). I'll figure something out and post it if it's decent ;-)

I'd keep it in the coin tray...

For a car that requires frequent oil checking and topping off, the dip stick is in a rather inconvenient place. I wonder why they did not just add like another 6 inches or so onto it so it would be a little easier to reach.

See also https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...nderhood+light

Woah, good find. That little clip may be a good idea, but I like the idea of a more permanent/oem looking solution. I may wire some LEDs and have one focused on the dipstick area. The idea of a plunger-style switch sounds good as well, maybe have it wired to the accessory fuse. I'll post some pics after the jump.

That's where I keep my phone

The problem with luminescent tape is that it needs light first to work. Often times at night under the hood is pitch black, so I don't think it would do much for you.

Maybe you need to put some hair around it.

I thought of that when I read the first post. I did the same as 4_years_to_Supercharge (considered a fancy LED arrangement, then simply bought a little clip light).

Actually I bought 3 different mini-flashlights with clips and put them in the glovebox. The kids sometimes use them as reading lights and the chance off all 3 being broken or dead is small.

I found a two-handed insertion is best for hitting the hole dead center (and not tapping oil on anything or getting crud on the dipstick) so I prefer the clip lights over a squeeze-style keychain light.

Yep same here. I think they were like 3 bucks.

The one I have is portable, battery operated and has a clip on it so it's basically hands free. I keep it in the trunk of the car.

I really don't see the need to run wires,affix it to the hole, worry about heat etc. etc. etc.
when this is a cheap and versatile alternative. Just my .02 :)

Reminds me of one more point I forgot to make -

The ones I found were cheap too (one came free with a cell phone belt holster). There were several that cheap so rather than try one, find it to be junk and return for another I bought all three at once. The one which looked the best (steel, like a maglight) turned out to be junk (loose electrical connections so the light is dim or goes out, plus no clip so I had to tape one onto it). The one which looked the cheapest (all plastic, swivel clip at the back which I expected to be loose) has a strong, tight clip and three hyper-white LEDs and is the best and brightest by far. FYI - it was a dumb fakey-camo camping light in the outdoors section at Wal-Mart.

Well I've decided on putting in led's. A couple down by the dipstick, and a couple in the hood to flood the engine bay. The only thing left to figure out is where to tap some power. I'm right now leaning towards using a plunging mechanism and tapping the accessory fuse in the engine bay fuse box. Anyone have better suggestions before I start cutting up my car's wiring?

LEDs are taking the flashlight industry by storm. Lots of useful quality stuff out there. For a nice car-light a good choice is one of the single-AA lights like the Gerber Infinity

http://www.gerbertools.com/Gerber-In...e-LED-0010.htm

Small, reliable, runs a long time on a single AA battery, and you can put in a Lithium AA for even more run time and a 10-year shelf-life.

For even more high-zoot lights, try Surefire.com

For more flashlight info than you would ever want, try Candlepowerforums.com

I put a mark on the hose near the hole with a Sharpey marker. Then I align that and go straight down with it and that usually works. I may try the glow tape though.

Go to Circuit City or any place that sells rice options for cars like interior LED lights. One brand in particular has a picture of the 8's interior on the packaging and a "press here to try me" button. The light costs about $18.00 but I was able to find one on sale for $1.00. The light is about the same diameter as a quarter and about as thick as 2-3 quarters stacked with 2 wires running out of it. I took this light and stuck it to the underside of the bracket that holds the AC lines right next to the master cylinder with some double sided 3M tape. I then ran the wires behind the firewall insulation over to the side of the engine compartment and then down to the fuse box. I kept whole wiring kit in tact as it came out of the packaging and placed the try me switch and battery close to the fuse box. I've had this set up for several months without a problem. I've even touched it after my 1.5hr commute to work and the light was just barely warm. It works like a charm at night. These lights come in several different colors but I chose red. I no longer need a flashlight to check my oil in my garage or at night. If I had a digital camera I would post pics.

Funny, I thought I was the first to think of this LED solution on the way home yesterday. Heh.

I was thinkign about hooking up about 5-8 red LEDs under the hood anyway, figured I could install them on the underside of the hood conected to a plunge type switch. I was thinking about red LEDs some of the newer brighter ones would work great for not only checking the oil but making the whole engine more visibile in low/no light situations. I'm not talking abotu ricer Joe LED's everywhere, just a nice bright bath of Red Light on the engine.

Cell phone pics? I'm on Verizon so you can send me a picture mail for free if you are on Verizon too (PM me and I'll share the number). Any chance of getting a friend to take a digital snapshot and e-mail it to you?

That was funny.......I'm suprised I'm the first to give you props on your joke.

:spank: :nono: clean shaved is the only way to go, or come, oh, whatever ... :cwm27:


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