Posted on 05/06/2025 4:47:52 PM PDT by nickcarraway
I might be in the minority of car owners, but I actually enjoy changing my oil. My local big box store has bargain prices for jugs of long-lasting full-synthetic oil and carries OEM filters, so I can usually get out the door for less than $40 in materials for a DIY full-synthetic oil change. Saving money is definitely nice, but so is peace of mind. I'm forever scarred by the time my wife took her SUV to a rapid oil change place that didn't fully tighten the drain plug. Fortunately, we caught the growing oil slick in our driveway before serious engine damage was done.
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. Then, there's the juggling act of maintaining inward pressure on the plug with your fingers while unscrewing to prevent oil from dribbling out. And finally, you pull the liberated drain plug away at lightning speed while still somehow getting hot oil on your hands and the floor.
It was for these reasons that the quick drain oil plug was invented. Quick drain oil plugs allow you to empty the contents of your engine's oil pan by merely twisting a small valve. Many of these gadgets also have a fitting to attach a flexible hose to more precisely direct the outflow. The concept almost seems too good to be true, so why aren't all vehicles equipped with this engineering marvel?
It's more vulnerable than a regular drain plug
It's been speculated that the reasons auto manufacturers don't use drain valves as original equipment is because of their higher cost, and though that may be true, there are other considerations. A quick browse of some automotive message boards shows that drivers are concerned that the quick drain oil valves are considerably taller than a conventional low-profile drain plug. The logic is that it might be damaged or accidentally opened from striking an object, like an SUV-defeating rock.
That's particularly concerning to owners of four-wheel drive vehicles who frequently travel off-road and are exposed to obstacles. Certain products have backup mechanisms like a steel cap to prevent spills in case the valve accidentally gets bumped open. Still, there's no denying that an oil drain valve hangs down lower than a regular thread-in drain plug.
Another concern over quick drain oil plugs is that the drain opening is smaller than a conventional plug. That means that it's going to take longer for all of your used oil to drain from the pan. In fact, some users level the accusation that the oil never drains 100% completely because the tip of the quick drain plug remains protruded into the oil pan while a regular screw-in plug opens the drain hole completely.
But there's plenty of positives, too
Like with so many products, there's going to be pros and cons to buying a quick drain oil plug. So far, we've been pretty pessimistic, but now it's time for the positives, and that's in addition to the basic premise of making oil changes neater and easier. Consider that you won't be repeatedly screwing and unscrewing a threaded drain plug into the oil pan, which can lead to repairing stripped threads if done improperly. And let's be honest, how many shadetree mechanics really use a torque wrench on their drain plugs? That drain plug could regularly be under or over-tightened whereas the quick drain valve is one and done.
Similarly, the rubber gaskets or metal crush washers that seal a traditional oil drain plug need to be replaced periodically. Opinions vary on how many oil changes can be performed in between replacing a drain plug's seal, but the seal that's built into the quick drain plug won't need to be replaced because the valve remains permanently installed.
The grandfather of the oil drain valve is the Japanese company Fumoto, which invented the device in 1976 and began shipping it to the United States in 1984. Since then, others have mimicked the design or developed what they consider to be improved versions. Clearly, there are many fans of the quick drain oil plug concept, while other gearheads don't trust it to stay closed or drain every drop of old oil. Which camp do you fall into?
You are old. ;^)
I figured so. The next oil change, it is going bye bye.
“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.
Maybe he has a rather large belly.
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.
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.
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.
I have a large belly, and oil changes still aren't $20.
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. :-)
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.
I am convinced my tools hate me becauae they are always hiding from me.
And you don’t leave out any fasteners or strip any screws, right?
Like my Ford dealer did.
Not so far - i try not to be in a hurry but then my car is 19 years old.
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.
Firestone quoted me $75 for 5 quarts of full synthetic. I drive a Subaru.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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