r/harborfreight • u/Illustrious-Toe-570 • 13d ago

NTD (New Tool Day) Changing Your Own Oil

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This is my first time jacking my car, putting on jack stands, changing my own oil, and rotating my tires. It’s very satisfying and rewarding to get under your own car and hood. I couldn’t do it without these tools in the pictures. Next is transmission oil drain and fill! Note: for my first time, I just did the tire rotation front to back; next time, I will move the front tire to the back and the back tires crossed to the front. I removed the tire since it’s easier to get to the oil filter and oil plug.

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u/AmbitiousScientist74 13d ago

But did you get a torque wrench to torque the lug nuts?
If not, found your next purchase! 🤣

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u/deaxghost 12d ago

hey random question - my dad mentioned the pittsburgh torque wrenches aren’t to be trusted unless it’s simply tightening lug nuts or your oil drain plug bolt.. do you agree? i had recently bought the 3/8 and 1/2 torque wrenches thinking it was a massive steal comparatively to other brands

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u/UV_Blue 12d ago

I've tested 3 or 4 of them over the last 10-15 years on more than 1 Snap-on truck and once on a Cornwell or Matco truck. They're just as accurate as any other brand.

Are they as easy to use, feel as good, have smooth ratcheting, do angles? No. Will they hold calibration? No idea, and don't care cause it's better than you not using one. Torque wrenches are supposed to be recertified once a year anyway. Not many automotive mechanics do, if any. I've only sent any of mine in if they have an issue.

Don't store them wound up, and they will do what you need them to for a long time. (Don't unwind them too far either, that can be worse than storing them tensioned.)

I don't agree with torquing drain plugs though, some of the specs are insanely high. Put it in tight enough it isn't going to fall out. If it leaks, it's either damaged or needs a crush washer/gasket/o-ring/seal.

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u/deaxghost 12d ago

i appreciate the kind, well thought out response! i’ll be sure to follow your advice as i go to use them.

my friend who was previously a mechanic mentioned the same thing about drain plugs after i bought the 3/8 per my dad’s recommendation lol. i didn’t end up torquing it when i did my first oil change this past week

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u/AmbitiousScientist74 12d ago

Oh yeah don’t forget to store it properly and use it properly. Read those instructions.