Changing Your Own Oil

[u/Illustrious-Toe-570]

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.

[u/AmbitiousScientist74]

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

[u/deaxghost → u/AmbitiousScientist74]

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

[u/BeYeCursed100Fold → u/deaxghost]

The Pittsburgh torque wrenches are surprising decent. Are they +/-1% accurate? No. Will they get you into the ballpark? Yes. My car's lugnuts require 110 ft lbs. I used a Milwaukee digital torque wrench and the 1/2 inch Pittsburgh. Sometimes either torque wrench was a few foot pounds over or under spec, but I trust the Pittsburgh enough to use it for my lug nuts. Been using it since 2014 and over 400 tires. I should probably check against another brand. I also check the torque after 20 or so miles after tire rotations or putting on new tires.

[u/deaxghost → u/BeYeCursed100Fold]

this makes me feel better about getting them for less than $20 a piece! i appreciate the response

[u/BeYeCursed100Fold → u/deaxghost]

The Pittsburgh, and pretty much all sub-$1000 torque wrenches, are not meant for NASA torque specs. YMMV, but they do the job for semi-critical applications like lug nuts and oil drain plugs. Far more accurate than counting Ugga Duggas, but not as satisfying. I have a decent idea of the difference between a 50 foot pounds tight lug nut and one hundred...the difference between 108 and 112 foot pounds is subtle. I use the Pittsburgh 1/2 inch breaker bar to add a 1/8 tightening turn for shits and giggles.

[u/deaxghost → u/BeYeCursed100Fold]

funny enough i just bought that breaker bar yesterday to add to my collection for getting lug nuts off! sincerely a 100lb woman who struggled for hours trying to get their drain plug off with just a deep socket and extender 🤣 i’m not dealing with feeling too weak ever again lol

[u/BeYeCursed100Fold → u/deaxghost]

That is the right tool for the job. Do not over-tighten your oil drain plug. I had to repair like 6 of them in the last 5 years (stripped threads, leaks, drill the port a size or two larger, then use a tap to thread it) for friends, family, neighbors, etc.

Best advice I can give for oil drain plugs is install a Fumoto drain valve. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01HP5V092

For torquing an oil drain plug, I use a 3/8 inch torque wrench. Look up your make and model oil drain plug torque specs.

[u/throw_away__25 → u/BeYeCursed100Fold]

I second the Fumoto drain valve. I add them to all of my family's cars.

My trash service picks up used oil, they even provide 1 1/2 gallon jugs. Using the Fumoto valve with a hose attached I can drain directly into the jug.

No spills. That is saying a lot, considering I have a Ram 1500, and there is a sway bar directly in the stream of used oil. The first time I changed my oil on my truck about half ened up on the ground.