Anybody have any good oil change tips / suggestions?

[Brian]

Had my little guy out to help me for his first time changing the oil on the jeep today. He had a great time, especially when he got to watch the jeep "go pee"...

But it got me thinking - I'm still using the old basic wobbly ol' 7qt pan I got free who knows how long ago, and the nasty old funnel I've been using for years. I still pour the dirty oil back in the bottles and stash them away until I drop them off somewhere. Today with my son it was a little bit of a mess since I let him try most of it, but I'd be lying if I said I was completely spotless every other time too. The worst part is getting the dirty oil back in something to store it in.

Have an oil pan you swear by? Is dumping in a 5gal bucket easier in the long run (I'd be a little afraid of transporting a full bucket to the local shop...)? I'm thinking I might upgrade to one of those fancy $20 pans on amazon with the spouts, but I'm not convinced I'd actually use one of those that are long-term containers as well.

I know there still have to be a few of you out there who still change your own oil. Anybody have any new suggestions for an old process?

[zteknik]

For doing it on the ground the best ting to use is the self contained drip pans like you were talking about.
Other than that the proccess pretty much stayed the same sinec cars were first made..

[fj605]

Speaking from experience, premium, synthetic oil works best if you put the plug back in the oil pan before pouring in the oil. It doesn't do much just passing through.

[Irving]

I've always used a catch pan with a screw on lid and spout. Just throw the whole thing in the car every other oil change and dump it out at the auto parts store. I can't imagine pouring it back into the containers.

[Brian]

Speaking from experience, premium, synthetic oil works best if you put the plug back in the oil pan before pouring in the oil. It doesn't do much just passing through.

LOL I had this exact conversation with my 5yr old. "Why do we have to put the plug back in daddy...?"

[gnihcraes]

I've done the same thing with my kids, young (5?) and when older - 12+

I use an old dishpan. I did two oil changes today with it, poured old oil back into jugs it came out of. I'll take them to walmart sometime in the near future.

If I have a lot of oil - 5 or more jugs, I will make a trip out to Mesa oil on highway 72? - they have a self serve recycle container. (or used to anyway, been a while since I've had that much to donate)

Mobile 1 synthetic and napa gold filters. About the best you can do I believe. (don't use fram filters!)

[Great-Kazoo]

i have these under the pan. They're called Chux. walgreens, walmart carry them
https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.607998001439968236&pid=15.1

[newracer]

Replace the drain plug with a Fumoto valve. You can even get one with a nipple so you can attach tubing. Makes oil changes very easy and less messy. My only vehicle that doesn't have one is my rock crawler since there is a chance it would get hit.

http://www.dodgeforum.com/Drain%20Valve%20HQ2%20(2).JPG

http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/213505_x600.jpg

[Irving]

i have these under the pan. They're called Chux. walgreens, walmart carry them
https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.607998001439968236&pid=15.1

My garage floor is covered with every spare piece of largish cardboard that comes my way. I have a few appliance sized mats of cardboard. They don't soak up real well, but as long as the spill stays on the cardboard, then I don't care. If they get too bad, then I can trash them and get more for free out of the dumpster of any hardware or appliance store.


Replace the drain plug with a Fumoto valve. You can even get one with a nipple so you can attach tubing. Makes oil changes very easy and less messy. My only vehicle that doesn't have one is my rock crawler since there is a chance it would get hit.


Seen these back in my car forum days, but never picked one up. Where do you get yours?

[StagLefty]

http://www.qwikvalve.com/

[Irving]

Thanks

[ben4372]

Cool. But not fool/failproof. I'd be afraid of a fail or a rotten person.
Replace the drain plug with a Fumoto valve. You can even get one with a nipple so you can attach tubing. Makes oil changes very easy and less messy. My only vehicle that doesn't have one is my rock crawler since there is a chance it would get hit.

http://www.dodgeforum.com/Drain%20Valve%20HQ2%20(2).JPG

http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/213505_x600.jpg

[newracer]

I think I got mine from Amazon.


Cool. But not fool/failproof. I'd be afraid of a fail or a rotten person.

I put hose clips on all of mine.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/412sv8TA6EL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[00tec]

I use a home depot 5gal bucket for long term storage. The lids they have go on pretty good. Never had a leak. I dump oil, tranny fluid, and fryer oil all together in it until its full, then dispose of.

[Brian]

That reminds me, I need to change the fluid in the front diff too... hopefully it'll be warm again tomorrow.
That valve looks pretty interesting, but I have the same concern as you. This jeep sees a lot of rocks and "obstacles" :)

[Ah Pook]

Guess I just have good aim. Use an open metal pan and have no problems. I use 5gal "pickle buckets" to store the oil til it is recycled. The local garage lets me dump it in their tank.

Way too familiar with chux, for their intended medical uses. I use cardboard, kitty litter or plywood when needed.

Never was interested in fancy "drain cocks". Just something else to fail or hang up.

[nisils14]

I use these to minimize drips and spills. Drain pan on top of the drip pan and don't let the pour catch an edge inside the drain pan. Usually pour the old oil back into the 5qt jug the new oil came in. I do that on top of the drip pan with a big funnel on top. Having a drain pan that has pouring corner helps too. I hold the pan high so the pour is narrow near the funnel. I also have kitty litter and pig mats on standby just in case.

http://www.autowares.com/images/product/BLITZ/blitz-11430-400.jpghttp://www.northerntool.com/images/product/400x400/196/19647_400x400.jpghttp://c.shld.net/rpx/i/s/pi/mp/9150/1480598902?src=http%3A%2F%2Fcp75.com%2FABS%2FImage s%2F41JQQFBHPAL._SS400_.jpg&d=a459c78fd9ed83be2afb76943535a8ad94de440ehttp://images.drillspot.com/pimages/24557/2455769_300.jpg

[Fentonite]

I prefer to just drive over a 5 gallon bucket and drain the oil straight into it.
http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz339/fentonite/325EF4BC-B877-49D8-ABF5-46B98563C9D1-41955-0000085D61855891_zps265ef2ba.jpg
[Coffee]

[nisils14]

I prefer to just drive over a 5 gallon bucket and drain the oil straight into it.
[Coffee]

I'd like to see that with a car! :D

[Fentonite]

I'd like to see that with a car! :D

There are probably a few Italian convertibles I could drive over...

(but I'd probably have to put it in Low range)
[LOL]

[Irving]

Is that a Pinz?

[NFATrustGuy]

I'll add a +1 for the Fumoto quick-drain valves. I just ordered a few of them for some of our family cars that don't have them. They've got a new design where the hose nipple (yes, I just said nipple) is removable so it's less likely to snag on anything. I think I like that concept. I hate it when my nipples get all snaggy.

[Irving]

^^ Tow truck driver crawls out from under your wife's vehicle and says, "What can I say ma'am, looks like you snagged your nipple on a rock."

[StagLefty]

^^^ Mechanic crawls out from under and says "your nipple is pretty chewed up "

[kwando]

I don't have this anymore, but i use to have a little scissor jack

My friends NSX
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l166/kwando90/Bendpak%20jack/652_1103555515999_4441909_n_zps4b33cd6e.jpg

My S2000
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l166/kwando90/Bendpak%20jack/IMG_4908_1.jpg

[MarkCO]

Not exactly on topic...but relevant.

My lift blew a seal, but I needed the change the oil in my drag car. US West was out in the street with the manhole off. I walked over and asked if I drove my car over the hole, if he would mind draining the oil into a bucket. He said sure. I handed him a wrench a a 5 gallon bucket. He drained my oil, put the plug back in. I poured in 10 quarts and pulled it back in the trailer. EZ Peasy. :)

[Fentonite]

Is that a Pinz?

Yep. Good eye!

[rondog]

FWIW - I have a few of those big plastic cat litter jugs that I saved from when we had cats. Been using those to put dirty motor oil in for years. There's all kinds of big plastic jugs out there, some thin, some thick, many for free. Ask at restaurants too, some get cooking oil in big jugs. Or, you could just buy a bigass plastic gas can or steel jerry can. Lots of things to store dirty oil in, but I'd never use something that can't be sealed up, like an open bucket.

[Fentonite]

Lots of things to store dirty oil in, but I'd never use something that can't be sealed up, like an open bucket.

agreed. I always put a lid on the bucket between changes. Remove it to add more oil, snap it back on after. Works great, no spills.

[gnihcraes]

I also have a giant piece of polypropylene that comes on shipping pallets? - I use it to slide around on under the vehicles instead of concrete. Any drips of oil just wipe up.

[jrock]

+1 on the fumoto valve. It keeps things much cleaner. I have one on my powerstroke and take it on some pretty rough trails. No problems so far but I I think for peace of mind I'll put the valve lock on this year just in case.

[kwando]

Installed a fumoto today.... Thx for the tip

[HoneyBadger]

Good thread. The fumoto valve is genius. This makes the process even simpler!

[boomerhc9]

[QUOTE=fj605;1552ing from experience, premium, synthetic oil works best if you put the plug back in the oil pan before pouring in the oil. It doesn't do much just passing through.[/QUOTE]

I work at a ford quicklane and one guy this winter, got fired for forgetting the oil filters on a few cars.

[osok-308]

http://www.qwikvalve.com/

This looks amazing! I'll have to get one of these soon. so sick of always punching something metal when I finally loosen the nut.

[Irving]

so sick of always punching something metal when I finally loosen the nut.

Is this a prison joke?

[buffalobo]

Is this a prison joke?

[ROFL2][facepalm][LOL]

Well played Irving.

[T-Giv]

How funny that I was researching the Fumoto valves and then I found this thread! Ordering one for the Dodge now. The factory drain plug is a JOKE on the Cummins.

[drift_g35]

Another random piece of advice i learned while owning my Infiniti G35... When you finish your oil change and cant get a good read on the dipstick, run it under cold water or stick it in the snow for a few seconds. Oil sticks the the colder metal a little better. Make sure you wipe it clean before and after running it under water though.

[sniper7]

I used one of the self contained containers with a spout on it. Works awesome. Just make sure you open up the plug and vent before you start draining oil. I change my oil on everything (all 3 vehicles, atv, rzr, boat and whatever else needs it). I always use latex gloves to keep the oil off my hands and most of the time I end up spotless.

those fumoto valves look pretty nice, but I'll stick with what works.

[Irving]

If you wear a latex glove under a heavier glove, the thin latex won't rip and you are much more likely to stay clean.

[Hummer]

If you wear a latex glove under a heavier glove, the thin latex won't rip and you are much more likely to stay clean.

Good tip. Nowadays I keep a box of latex gloves handy for anytime I change oil or grease farm machinery. I also keep a supply of inexpensive heavy cotton gloves to wear over the latex glove if I do any wrench work. Protects against busted skin.

I think of all the times I used to clean parts with solvents without protection. Bad deal for the liver, and the clean up time and cost of cleaning grease off the hands isn't worth it. Disposable latex gloves are cheaper than the clean up.

[kawiracer14]

I usually drive to TMLeader and let him do it. [ROFL2]