Lighted dipstick hole?
03-03-2006, 04:10 PM
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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?
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?
03-03-2006, 06:45 PM
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Originally Posted by RichardK
How about a keychain LED torch...
03-03-2006, 07:07 PM
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Originally Posted by tominavl
How about a funnel shaped "receptor". that way we have no excuse for not being able to "find the hole" 
03-04-2006, 04:20 PM
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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 ;-)
03-04-2006, 05:38 PM
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Originally Posted by mikeschaefer
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
03-04-2006, 06:24 PM
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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.
03-04-2006, 08:18 PM
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03-04-2006, 11:58 PM
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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.
03-07-2006, 06:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Huhwha
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.
03-07-2006, 06:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Cool-Blue-Dad
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.
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
03-07-2006, 06:15 PM
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Originally Posted by tiggerlee
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.
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.
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.
03-20-2006, 10:44 AM
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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?
03-20-2006, 11:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Cool-Blue-Dad
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.
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.
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