Can I get any super secret advice on oil changes?

Any accessories or tools you all like for the process?

I do need to find a new oil drain pan as mine the plugs are kinda shot up. Any suggestions?

I realize I still have one of those Topsider oil extractors sitting around, but I could never make the thing seal up properly for some reason. I dunno what I was doing wrong. I thought I had the right gaskets in place etc, but the cap that held the tube for extraction always leaked pressure.

Nope. 17mm wrench, medium oil filter wrench. Done. 

Nothing.  I bought a strap wrench at s garage sale that is my favorite.   I own the giant filter socket for my Chebie.   

Use good oil and a good filter, maybe replace the car's drain plug with a magnetic one...that's all I got.

Fumoto valves if you have the space. So much less messy.

Do the twist to open drain plugs make sense? Seems like an unnecessary risk to me. 

grover said:

Do the twist to open drain plugs make sense? Seems like an unnecessary risk to me. 

You posted seconds after me. The way my drain plugs are situated if I lost the valve I've lost the oil pan. 

It's not like they hang straight down, or even down at an angle that often anymore 

I like the pliers style oil filter wrenches, personally.  this kind https://cloudfront.zoro.com/product/full/Z1t41wpcpEx_.JPG

Replace the crush washer?

Oh and make sure your drain pan actually drains if your using a new one.....

Make sure to take your time and dont forget to put oil in it. 

+1 on Fumoto valves. Love those things, all my cars get them.

I put a Stahlbus drain valve in my 128i and I'm very happy with it. Never really saw the need on previous vehicles, but the way the drain plug and the access door are set up on this one it was either this or make a mess every time.

I have access to a lift. I still berkeleying hate changing oil. I got nothing constructive.

When you buy a new drain pan buy one of the big, wide-mouth plastic jugs that are specifically for taking oil back to the recycling box. It makes it so much easier to collect the used oil than trying to pour it back in gallon jugs or, god forbid, quart bottles. Also, most hold a couple oil changes in smaller cars.

I think this drain valve thing qualifies as super secret info. I have never heard of this until now.

And if it's your first Diesel truck, make sure that the biggest drain pan in the garage holds more than half of the engine's oil capacity.

Fortunately I figured that out before undoing the drain plug .

I think a Fumoto valve is going to be in order, though.

Fumoto valves always seem like a solution looking for a problem.  I never saw a problem taking out a standard drain plug, and I have changed more oil than I care to count, on everything from lawn tractors to semis, agricultural equipment to race cars.  Only thing I havent changed oil on is an airplane.  

I do love my Channel Lock oil filter  pliers, like these..

I tried Fumoto valves for a while. I removed them because the oil takes forever to drain out of them.

With a paint marker write on the rad shroud the size of the drain plug, filter part number, and filter wrench size if used. 

I can never remember 

I never bother with oil filter wrenches, but I don't overtighten filters. Or drain plugs. Once the crush washer or o ring are crushed, you're good.

Cactus said:

I never bother with oil filter wrenches, but I don't overtighten filters. Or drain plugs. Once the crush washer or o ring are crushed, you're good.

I might be imagining things, but it seems like on some cars the oil filter is tighter on there when I go to take it off than when I put it on.

In reply to Harvey :

I've definitely experienced this phenomenon, and remember one occasion in particular on my Volvo 850 Turbo that was bad enough I think I ultimately had to use a chisel to remove what was left of the filter. But in general, I think if you need tools to take a filter off, you're putting it on way too tight in the first place. It really doesn't take much to get the oring to seal.

Also, whoever invented the cartridge filter and decided to start placing them front and center on top of the engine deserves a Nobel prize. Both SWMBO's JK and my FRS are like that and they're the two easiest cars I've ever had to change the oil on.

In reply to Furious_E :

All of our Korean cars have the filter right in front of the drain plug. You can drain them both at the same time in the same pan. 

I got a top side sucker and the issue was there was still a lot of oil when I pulled the plug/filter :(

What is the valve you guys are talking about I hate messy oil changes

In reply to Bob the REAL oil guy. :

My 4 cylinder Accord was like that.  

My wife’s Pilot got its first change yesterday and the filter is above a frame piece so lots of mess.  I thought Honda’s were above this?