Does anyone replace the oil drain plug if specified?

[AZjeff]

My daughter's 2025 Jetta specifies replacing the drain plug and washer at every oil change. I've owned lots of cars and have done countless oil changes and may have replaced 1 drain plug because some previous owner somehow messed it up. Never had a leak from a drain plug. Seems unnecessary and wasteful. Does anyone actually replace the drain plug at ever OC?

 

[UGASpike]

I replaced the drain plug on my new-to-me Aviator. It has that cheap plastic ecoboost plug that was cracked (not leaking) at the ear tabs that lock it in place. It would probably be a good idea to swap it out every 5-6 oil changes - it is also recommended to be changed every OCI.

If yours is a metal plug, I would just swap the crush washer and sleep easily at night.

 

[TheOilWizard]

My daughter's 2025 Jetta specifies replacing the drain plug and washer at every oil change. I've owned lots of cars and have done countless oil changes and may have replaced 1 drain plug because some previous owner somehow messed it up. Never had a leak from a drain plug. Seems unnecessary and wasteful. Does anyone actually replace the drain plug at ever OC?

Wow, I haven't heard about replacing the plug every OCI. Agree, seems wasteful but there could be a good reason for it.

I check my oil levels regularly and park on a clean driveway, so I would identify any small leaks pretty quick. Personally, I wouldn't be too worried about it.

 

[Lubener]

Not the plug but I would replace the washer gasket if specified.

 

[AZjeff]

In the case of a plastic plug makes sense. No metal replacement part?

 

[Trav]

It may have a plastic drain plug, if so yes replace it. AZjeff had the same idea at the same time.

 

[TomYoung]

Not the plug but I would replace the washer gasket if specified.

To be clear, changing the gasket AND the plug are "specified." I have a 2017 Jetta that gets few enough miles to get oil changes only once year. I have changed the plug and gasket once in nine years, and gaskets here and there. I do like following mfr recommendations to the letter, but definitely look at this one as a little over the top. The dealer wants money for the plug and washer, but FCP Euro will hook you up for a little over $5.

 

[Little_Lebowski]

NO

 

[ls973800]

My 2019 Honda Pilot says to replace the transmission drain plug, fill plug, and inspection plug each and everytime a fluid exchange is done. I have done 3 fluid drain and fills in 75000 miles and have never replaced the plugs. I only remove the bottom drain plug and the plug on top of the transmission in order to add the new fluid. I do not remove the side plug that is used also for filling and level check.

No leaks and don't expect to see any. I did however pick up 3 plugs from an online Mopar dealer since the Honda plugs are the same that are used in the ZF9 transmission in that brand. Honda plugs would have been about $75.00 dollars or so, got the Mopar ones for around $27.00 total.

Supposedly the plugs have a built in one time use gasket/seal but like I mentioned no problem with my reused ones.

 

[wings&wheels]

My daughter's 2025 Jetta specifies replacing the drain plug and washer at every oil change. I've owned lots of cars and have done countless oil changes and may have replaced 1 drain plug because some previous owner somehow messed it up. Never had a leak from a drain plug. Seems unnecessary and wasteful. Does anyone actually replace the drain plug at ever OC?

Plastic self-locking plug? Yes I do; one time use on both the R and 911 as specified.

I like them and see the appeal, simple and (almost) idiot proof.

 

[kschachn]

My daughter's 2025 Jetta specifies replacing the drain plug and washer at every oil change. I've owned lots of cars and have done countless oil changes and may have replaced 1 drain plug because some previous owner somehow messed it up. Never had a leak from a drain plug. Seems unnecessary and wasteful. Does anyone actually replace the drain plug at ever OC?

I replace mine about every other time. Besides leaking you can break them if you don’t use the right tool. I have a proper tool and that helps a lot.

You can get them various places but I’ve seen some generic ones leak, and some don’t fit the tool which is a pain. I just get a bunch from FCP when I’m buying other stuff and replace it when I can’t remember replacing it the last time.

 

[D60]

VW typically says replace the plastic plugs every time.

Rant: let's implement start/stop (current hubbub not withstanding), ultra low viscosity fluids run at 240F+, myriad emissions equipment, and then throw away a plastic plug every time. How does that work into "carbon footprint" exactly??
Same rant for Toyota's plastic drain nipple with every oil filter.

And I just learned the 10L80 gets one-time use TTY bolts for the transmission FILTER. At least steel can be truly recycled unlike plastic....but very few are scrapping small bolts.

I'm not a greenie....Just annoyed by lack of logic.

 

[ragtoplvr]

I suck out the oil whenever possible. With the mfg designing to prevent owner service, i simply so not buy those vehicles.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I did on a friend's Ford F-150 with the smaller V6. Plastic drain plug.

 

[bdcardinal]

I keep new ones on hand for the vehicles I service just in case I need to replace it. The Super Duty uses a crush washer so I just buy one from work when I know I will be doing a LOF that weekend.

 

[CleanSump]

I have never worn out a metal drain plug. Mercedes says to replace it every oil change, but I don't do it.
If we had the plastic plugs; yes I would replace them.

 

[D60]

I keep new ones on hand for the vehicles I service just in case I need to replace it. The Super Duty uses a crush washer so I just buy one from work when I know I will be doing a LOF that weekend.

At the retail level, for a '19 Tiguan as an example, O'Reilly wants $10. For a plastic plug. From Dorman. It's insanity.

I bought a cheap pack off Amazon. Maybe not a good idea. But then is Dorman really using better factories than the cheap Chinese packs for a lot less $? I very much doubt it.

 

[2005jettatdi]

I have replaced the plug on my 2005 Jetta a couple of times, but never understood the reason for it. I replace the copper crush washer every oil change. I have quite pile of used ones. Hondas use the same copper crush washer and I first got them from the Honda dealer in Spokane.

 

[ATex7239]

Those silly Germans.

 

[Carlostrece]

When I used to change oil myself, I never replaced a drainplug or washer. I didn't know that was a thing. I never had a leak.

Until recently, my cousin never replaced a drainplug nor crush washer. He never had a leak.

However, thanks to BITOG handwringing advice, Gold Plug, Honda, and Hyundai instructions; in our last 3 oil changes we did replace crush washers. Why? Just because all the alarmist talk and instructions convinced me we should conform to that widespread policy.

Does the crushwasher really need replacing? If it's noticeably crushed, scarred, or damaged; then it's probably a good idea and is cheap insurance. However, if it's not looking signifigantly beatup, then it's fine to reuse it, IME.

Same with oil plug bolt. If it's starting to get rounded bolt head or threads look bad, then replace it. If it looks OK, reuse it.

Don't overtighten drain plug bolt. A little snug is good. Tight is bad. Tight can damage things.

Don't overtighten the oil filter. Hand tight is good. You don't need (or want) to use a wrench to tighten it.