Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Are Quick Drain Oil Plugs A Great Idea, Or A Disaster Waiting To Happen?
Jalopnik ^ | MAY 5, 2025 | Richard Sachekmay

Posted on 05/06/2025 4:47:52 PM PDT by nickcarraway

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-67 next last
To: Larry Lucido
...to save 20 bucks on an oil change.

You are old. ;^)

41 posted on 05/06/2025 6:40:07 PM PDT by Rinnwald
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: bigdaddy45

I figured so. The next oil change, it is going bye bye.


42 posted on 05/06/2025 6:44:38 PM PDT by crusty old prospector
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: crusty old prospector

“Getting the top O-Ring on and off can be a pain.”

True, but if looks like there is no damage to the oil ring, I just wipe it off, apply fresh oil to it and reinstall the assembly.


43 posted on 05/06/2025 6:45:44 PM PDT by Paladin2 (YMMV)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Rinnwald

Maybe he has a rather large belly.


44 posted on 05/06/2025 6:45:55 PM PDT by crusty old prospector
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: Paladin2

That is what I do. I change the “easy” lower two and shove it back in. The drain plug has o-rings and they never need replacing.


45 posted on 05/06/2025 6:47:20 PM PDT by crusty old prospector
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: Larry Lucido

Most auto parts places will take used motor oil for free.

And the last time I took my car for an oil change at one of those places it was over $100. I can change it myself for $40 in about 30 min.

My car requires the full synthetic oil. Plus younger people can’t change their oil to save their life.


46 posted on 05/06/2025 6:47:44 PM PDT by sloanrb
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

The Fumotod are fine as long as they don’t stick down too far. I still do my own oil changes especially since I busted the dealer on not changing my oil filter. They’re not putting their best people on these menial tasks.


47 posted on 05/06/2025 6:47:46 PM PDT by JZelle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: crusty old prospector
Maybe he has a rather large belly.

I have a large belly, and oil changes still aren't $20.

48 posted on 05/06/2025 6:54:41 PM PDT by Rinnwald
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: posterchild

I worked on cars a lot in my youth including an engine overhaul. Also changed my oil for many years. But for the last decade or more I have given Express Oil the honor of tending to that task. :-)


49 posted on 05/06/2025 7:06:52 PM PDT by plain talk
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Larry Lucido
I’m not climbing under a car anymore to save 20 bucks on an oil change.

20 bucks??? Obviously you haven't paid for an oil change lately. You can't even do it yourself for $20 these days because the oil alone will cost you more than that.

50 posted on 05/06/2025 7:12:01 PM PDT by Bullish (I've never seen such morons... Have you?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Paladin2

I am convinced my tools hate me becauae they are always hiding from me.


51 posted on 05/06/2025 7:13:04 PM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Larry Lucido
From 2017:


52 posted on 05/06/2025 7:18:38 PM PDT by T.B. Yoits
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: posterchild

And you don’t leave out any fasteners or strip any screws, right?

Like my Ford dealer did.


53 posted on 05/06/2025 7:34:31 PM PDT by Scrambler Bob (Running Rampant, and not endorsing nonsense; My pronoun is EXIT. And I am generally full of /S)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Scrambler Bob

Not so far - i try not to be in a hurry but then my car is 19 years old.


54 posted on 05/06/2025 7:37:44 PM PDT by posterchild
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: Rinnwald

Oil and filter at Walmart run $25 here. I have changed my own oil since I was a yute. I pour it back in the container and send it to the dump or pour it out in a hole. Oil is a naturally-occurring substance. The bacteria will eat it.


55 posted on 05/06/2025 7:40:38 PM PDT by crusty old prospector
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

Firestone quoted me $75 for 5 quarts of full synthetic. I drive a Subaru.


56 posted on 05/06/2025 7:46:44 PM PDT by Romulus ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

I have an easy way to get rid of my old oil and filter. Pour it back into the 5-gal plastic jug and put it in the trash barrel. My towns trash all goes into an incinerator, so my old oil stokes the fire.


57 posted on 05/06/2025 8:27:12 PM PDT by dennisw (💯🇺🇸 Truth is Hate to those who Hate the Truth. 🇺🇸💯)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

My car insists on synthetic. I change it myself because the oil change places rape you on synthetic. Plus I am paranoid that they will put in inferior synthetic or a semi-synthetic “blend”.

Amazon has its own brand synthetic in a 5 gallon jug. This is what I used. I know its crazy to be shipping 5 gallon jugs of oil around. Bought the filter there too.


58 posted on 05/06/2025 8:36:37 PM PDT by dennisw (💯🇺🇸 Truth is Hate to those who Hate the Truth. 🇺🇸💯)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BobL
“However, one of the more challenging aspects of the home oil change is removing said drain plug. First, you’ll need to remember what size wrench or socket to grab from the toolbox.”

I have a 12" x 18" white board my wife discarded which is gridded off with the following info: vehicle, tire pressure, drain plug size, oil type, filter #, lug nut size, lug nut torque, "notes".

Makes life a little bit easier with 5 vehicles.

59 posted on 05/06/2025 9:47:33 PM PDT by SnuffaBolshevik
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

I change my own Mercedes oil and filter and don’t go near the drain plug. I have an extractor that hooks up to an air compressor that sucks all the old oil out of the dip stick holder.

Without that, I’d have to take the car in to be serviced as there’s a large shield that has to be removed to get at the oil plug.


60 posted on 05/07/2025 1:27:37 AM PDT by FLNittany
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-67 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson