Electronic Dipstick

Electronic Dipstick FARM SHOP Maintenance 6-2-33 You'll never have to take a chance with your oil level again, or waste time checking it when it's full, thanks to a new electronic dipstick developed by the 3M Company, St. Paul, Minn. According to Joe Minarovic, manager of sales for the first-of-its-kind dipstick, it replaces the conventional dipstick and has an electronic sensor that monitors fluid levels. It will work in cars, pickups, vans. "This is a much more fool-proof way to keep track of oil. The present use of oil pressure gauges may not warn you until damage has already been done. And in cars, with the growth of self-service gasoline stations, many car owners are not checking their oil as often. Many of the new cars have only three quarts of oil and, if you're a quart down. you can be cutting your engine's protection by one third," explains Minarovic. Every time you start your car or truck and the dipstick finds the oil a quart low, a tiny memory chip activates a red "Add Oil" light mounted on the dash board, which blinks on and off. If the oil level is adequate, a steady green "Oil OK" indicator lights for 30 sec. Initially, the new dipstick will be sold only for automobiles. New car dealers will sell them, and they'll also be available by mail direct from 3M Company. Suggested retail price is $39.95. For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Oil Sentry, 3M Company, Dept. AA, P.O. Box 33133, St. Paul, MN 55133 (ph 612 733-3124).

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