Engine Oil Dipsticks: A Guide to Understanding Different Blades, Handles, and Best Combinations

Engine oil dipsticks are an essential part of any vehicle or equipment. Oil is the lifeblood of engines, and ensuring an engine is healthy and fully optimized means having an efficient dipstick system.

RB Royal dives deep into engine oil dipsticks, covering different blades, handles, and how to create the best combination to serve your applications.

Engine Oil Dipsticks: Blade Types

Not all dipsticks are the same. In fact, most dipsticks vary in some capacity, and the blade type is typically the most common variable of any dipstick system. There are three different types of blades to make note of.

• Flat Wire
  • Stamped or rolled steel, usually stainless
  • Rectangular cross-section for stiffness and to easily read level markings
  • Typically seen in conventional automobiles and light truck engines where the tube path is traditionally straight
• Round or Rod Blades
  • Stainless steel material
  • Torsionally stiff; there can be difficulties in reading oil levels unless markings on the stick are clearly defined
  • Seen in industrial and marine applications where the dipstick tube is short
• Flexible
  • This style of blade is built around an inner cable and is housed in a braided or formed tube
  • Allows for complex routing as the dipstick will bend as needed around the tightest spaces
  • Typically seen where tight engine bays exist, and in marine applications and custom equipment

Handle Options

Much like blades, there are a variety of handle options available for an engine oil dipstick. While handles are different, they have to serve the same basic intention at the core: secure the stick in the tube. Here are common examples of dipstick handles.

• T and Ring handles
  • These handles do not lock in place
  • They feature a ‘T’ shape or a ring (circular) shape for easy access to pull out of the tube
  • Commonly seen in light-duty engines and engine systems that feature lower amounts of pressure compared to heavy-duty equipment and larger-scale vehicles found in construction and shipping
• Locking handles
  • More commonly seen in custom equipment or in systems where large amounts of pressure can cause the dipstick to move, disrupting accurate readings
  • Handle shape is typically an O-ring as it’s used to twist the stick in place within the tube, securing the stick and stabilizing pressure

How to Create the Best Engine Oil Dipstick Combinations

Creating the best combination boils down to a couple of key components and considerations. When those have been assessed, the path to creating the best combination of blade and handle becomes clear, paving the way for manufacturing.

• During design, consider where routing is going to be within your vehicle or equipment. If it’s going to be a tight space, consider using a flexible blade.
• Evaluate your vehicle or equipment’s crankcase pressure to determine if locking handles are necessary.
  • Most personal vehicles, including pickup trucks, can use non-locking handles because the engines are designed to be breathable.
  • In applications that feature high pressure, including racing vehicles, diesel engines, high-RPM vehicles and equipment, or boosted engines, a locking handle is going to be essential.
• Be aware of material selection, as that can impact the life span of a product.
  • Most dipsticks are made with stainless steel, which can last for decades.
  • Mild steel can be used, however, but will not last as long as stainless or treated steel products.

Unlock the Best Engine Oil Dipsticks by Partnering With RB Royal Today

Since 1942, RB Royal has been hard at work creating high-quality fluid transfer system components for numerous industries. We started off specializing in brass fittings and have evolved into a full-service, turnkey tube manufacturing company offering fluid transfer system components.

Our custom engine oil dipsticks are built to serve in a broad range of industries and applications. With our design-ufacturing program, our customers are able to create their own vision of a product, and we bring it to life. Backed by our ISO 9001 certification, our customers know that we truly mean it when we say quality comes first.

Contact RB Royal today for more information on our dipstick manufacturing services and how we can best serve your needs.