GearWrench Oil Drain Plug Socket Set

[Tallpilot]

Maybe it's a state auto safety inspection issue (in Texas, an oil leak can stop the inspection before it starts), but the three trusted garages I use won't touch an oil drain plug these days. At all three shops, motor oil is removed using a compressor driven oil extractor and during oil filter replacement.

I even use an extractor when doing my own oil and filter changes.

I gotta say I'm a fan of leaving the oil drain plug alone. All of my current vehicles are 10 years old but I can't remember the last time I had any kind of oil leak under the car. And man, I do love a clean driveway.

What keeps you all using the oil drain plug for oil changes?

Just replace the $.50 crush washer and torque it properly. It isn’t going to leak if you do it correctly. But I can see why a shop would want to avoid the potential hassle.

 

[Tonyuk]

Most dealerships now use a vacuum extractor, usual routine for a service for me is open the "dipstick" cap, place in extractor and turn on, change oil filter (if top mounted) Lift the vehicle, inspect wheels, brakes, under body etc..

Lower it, fill with correct quantity of oil and check/top up other fluids.

I haven't pulled a drain plug in months, you can actually get more oil out with the extractor if you push the tube down into the oil cooler, there's about half to 3/4 of a litre in there that wont come out with just pulling the drain plug.