Fluid level indicator

In a motor vehicle which includes a reservoir for holding a desired volume of fluid represented by a fluid level, a device for determining whether the fluid level within the reservoir exceeds a desired level comprising:

• said reservoir having an aperture therein;
• a first standpipe defining a passage for the fluid in excess of the desired volume to flow from the reservoir, said first standpipe sealingly engaged with the reservoir at the aperture, said first standpipe indicating a first fluid level in the reservoir and said first standpipe providing a means for draining the reservoir;
• a second standpipe sealingly engaged with the reservoir, said second standpipe indicating a second fluid level in the reservoir;
• and
• a plug to selectively prevent passage of the fluid through one of the standpipes out of the reservoir.

In a motor vehicle which includes a reservoir for holding a desired volume of fluid represented by a fluid level, a device for determining whether the fluid level within the reservoir exceeds a desired level comprising:

• said reservoir having a bottom surface having an aperture therein;
• a standpipe defining a passage for the fluid in excess of the desired volume to flow from the reservoir, said standpipe sealingly engageable and disengageable with the reservoir at the aperture, said standpipe having a length defining a fluid level in the reservoir;
• and
• a plug to selectively prevent passage of the fluid through the standpipe out of the reservoir, said plug including an indicator to indicate the temperature of the fluid.

In a motor vehicle which includes a reservoir for holding fluid, the reservoir having a standpipe projecting therein defining a fluid level and a plug for sealing the standpipe and a drain plug having an indicator to indicate a temperature of the fluid, a method for determining whether the fluid level within the reservoir exceeds a desired level, comprising:

• observing the indicator to determine if the fluid temperature is proper to measure the fluid level;
• sealingly disengaging the plug from the standpipe;
• observing the standpipe to determine whether the fluid flows from the reservoir through the standpipe;
• and
• adding fluid to the reservoir until the fluid flows through the standpipe.

In a motor vehicle which includes a reservoir for holding a measure of fluid, the reservoir having a first standpipe projecting therein defining a first fluid level, a second standpipe projecting therein defining a second fluid level, a first sealing means for sealing the first standpipe and a second sealing means for sealing the second standpipe, a method for determining whether the measure of fluid within the reservoir exceeds a desired level, comprising:

• sealingly disengaging the second sealing means from the second standpipe;
• observing the second standpipe to determine whether the fluid flows from the reservoir through the second standpipe;
• and
• if fluid did not flow from the second standpipe, sealingly disengaging the first sealing means from the first standpipe and observing the first standpipe to determine whether the fluid flows from the reservoir through the first standpipe.

In a motor vehicle which includes a reservoir for holding a measure of fluid, the reservoir having a first standpipe projecting therein defining a first fluid level, a second standpipe projecting therein defining a second fluid level, a first sealing means for sealing the first standpipe, a second sealing means for sealing the second standpipe, and an indicator for indicating a temperature of the fluid, a method for determining whether the measure of fluid within the reservoir exceeds a desired level, comprising:

• observing the temperature indicator to determine if the fluid is warm or cold;
• and
• sealingly disengaging the first sealing means if the fluid is cold;
• sealingly disengaging the second sealing means if the fluid is warm;
• and
• observing the reservoir to determine whether the fluid flows through the standpipe from which the sealing means was removed.