Performing an oil change is one of the many tasks DIYers tend to tackle to save on labor. While vehicle owners with advanced technical knowledge may find this job easy enough, careless mistakes during a routine oil change can lead to disaster.
A common mistake that people tend to make is not knowing the right torque specifications when tightening the oil drain plug. Read on to find out more about proper torque specs.
Oil Drain Plug: The Basics
The oil drain plug threads into a hole at the lowest point of the engine oil pan so that when it is removed during an oil change, just about all of the engine oil will drain out.
Torque Specs for the Oil Drain Plug
The recommended torque specs for tightening an oil drain plug vary depending on a vehicle’s year, make, and model, the type of oil pan metal, and the size and pitch of the drain plug threads.
For example, the torque specs for an oil drain plug with a large thread diameter can fall anywhere between 10 and 30 lbs ft. but will usually fall between 18 and 25 lbs ft.
Experts claim that applying this amount of force using an oil drain plug torque wrench is enough to bring the plug’s rubber gasket close to the oil pan and seal the hole. Some oil drain plugs have copper gaskets, and some have built-in O-rings.
Pro Tips are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.
Pro Tip: You can get a torque wrench, set it to spec, and use it on the oil drain plug. Of course, there are many DIY folks who know how tight the oil drain plug should be without using a torque wrench and you may be one of them.
Common Issues Surrounding the Oil Drain Plug
The oil drain plug is a rather small component that can cause big problems once it fails. Always replace the oil drain plug if you can’t screw it all the way out with your fingers after loosening it with the wrench.
Stuck or Stripped Oil Drain Plug
Overtightening the oil drain plug can cause its threads to strip so that it turns around and around, making it extremely difficult to remove. Sometimes the oil pan will need to be replaced if you can’t get a thread-stripped oil drain plug out.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Changing Engine Oil
Aside from overtightening the oil drain plug, there are other mistakes DIYers tend to make while changing their engine oil. Here are some of the most common ones:
Mistake #1: Working with a Cold Engine
Oil won’t flow properly under cold temperatures. So if you forget to warm up the engine for at least five to 10 minutes before draining the oil, you can expect the process to take more time than usual. This is a minor mistake, but if you’re draining cold oil, be prepared for it to take more time.
Mistake #2: Reusing the Old Drain Plug Gasket
The oil drain plug gasket seals the plug when it connects to the oil pan. Depending on your vehicle, the gasket might be for single use only or reusable.
Most professionals recommend replacing the oil drain plug gasket after every oil change, especially if the gasket is made from copper that deforms upon tightening the plug.
Failure to use a new drain plug gasket can result in leaks, which can lead to oil starvation.
Mistake #3: Changing the Oil But Not Replacing the Oil Filter
The oil filter is responsible for trapping large particles that can contaminate the engine oil and damage critical mechanical parts. When you don’t change the filter, the old oil that is trapped in the filter contaminates the new oil, tremendously shortening the life of the new oil.
Mistake #4: Double-Gasketing the Oil Filter
Mistake #5: Forgetting to Lubricate the Oil Filter Gasket
A dry oil filter gasket that comes into contact with the engine surface tends to ripple or tear, creating a small leak. Make sure to lubricate the oil filter gasket with fresh engine oil before installation.
Mistake #6: Using the Wrong Engine Oil or the Wrong Oil Filter
It’s important to follow your automaker’s recommended engine oil viscosity and API standards.
Using the wrong type of engine oil can result in major engine damage. In some cases, the damage can be irreversible.
Oil quantity is also another important factor to consider. Adding too little oil will cause the engine to warm up fast and eventually fail.
Pro Tips are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.
Pro Tip: Running the engine a quart low can sauce the engine oil to break down twice as fast.
To avoid such mistakes, always refer to your owner’s manual or the parts counter catalog for the right engine oil specifications.
Pro Tips are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.
Pro Tip: Remember: just because the filter looks the same and has the right threads, it may be different internally. Make sure the filter you’re using is exactly the right one for your engine.
Mistake #7: Forgetting to Install the Oil Cap
Forgetting to put the oil cap back on might seem like a silly mistake, but it does happen sometimes. On some engines that have the timing chain right underneath the oil filler cap, the timing chain can throw all the oil out of the engine in just a few miles and destroy the engine.
Key Takeaways
Oil changes can seem like a simple task to seasoned DIYers, but don’t become complacent and make mistakes. Always double-check everything.
It’s extremely important to know the correct oil drain plug torque specs for your vehicle to avoid over tightening the nut or damaging other related components.
Doing so can lead to oil leaks, which is the last thing you would want to deal with after getting an oil change.
The oil drain plug is a rather small component, but it holds all the oil that flows throughout the engine.
There are also other common mistakes to avoid when getting an oil change: getting the wrong engine oil, forgetting to replace the rubber gasket, and forgetting to put the cap back on.
Getting Your Hands on Engine Oil For Your Vehicle
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Every item in our catalog is carefully selected by a team of professionals to guarantee quality. You won’t have to worry about your engine oil causing problems and other complications across the years.
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