Oil Change Drain Idea

[jackkpts]

I just changed the oil in my 06 Accord and tried something new that worked very well. I first pulled my car up onto the Rhino ramps, slid the drain pan under the oil pan, unscrewed the drain bolt and let it drain. After the oil reached a very minor trickle, I slid my floor jack under the front frame and jacked the front up until the tires were just about off the ramps. As expected, the oil flow picked up a bit and I let it continue to drain for another 10 minutes or so. Based on the amount of oil I had to add, I drained approximately another 1/2 quart of oil out of the pan.

This is exactly the amount I expected, based on oil changes I did prior to the Rhino ramps (about 5 quarts to fill vs. 4.5 with the ramps). The extra 2-3 inches of front lift really makes a difference on my Accord.

 

[55Test]

I really wish drain bolts were on the bottom of the oil pan, not off to one side or another.

 

[Kruse]

Originally Posted By: 55
I really wish drain bolts were on the bottom of the oil pan, not off to one side or another.


Maybe not. Remember that there is probably a half inch or more of threads that protrude up through the pan and there might be a half inch of oil that won't come out of a bottom-plugged oil pan. Of course, a side-plugged pan might not be any better.

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

Makes one wonder what happens on a regular mechanic's lift?

 

[Black_Thunder]

i've noticed on some of my vehicles when using a jack that i can drain the oil then let the vehicle down completely and sit level and get more oil out. then i jack it back up and reinstall everything


all depends on where the oil is trapped and how the oil pan is designed, along with the plug location of course

 

[Saturn_Fan]

I do the same thing. I always get more out when I drop the car off the jack and let her drain.

 

[Colt45ws]

On my cavalier the plug was at that back of the engine so putting it on ramps would get more out. I haven't changed oil on my vic yet, but with the location of the plug Im sure it would get the most out with it level. Its a good thing Im thin, I can squeeze under it without jacking it up..

 

[TallPaul]

Well, you can always drop the pan to get the most out.

But ultimately that last half quart is insignificant in the big picture. Now if you are doing a UOA you might want to get it out, but even then I always felt a 40 mile UOA makes a great baseline.

 

[Eddie]

WOW an additional 1/2 quart drained out after the car is lifted above Rino Ramp. I have never had a car that had oil drain issues that bad. Was the oil pan bent or deformed or just a poorly designed?

 

[Kestas]

It almost sounds like the pan was designed for topsider oil changes. There are a few designs where the topsider will actually remove more oil than the drain plug.

 

[SpitfireS]

That's good news.
I was thinking doing the same, but then thought: how much extra oil may stay behind up top with the engine at an angle?
My drain plug is at the side of the oil pan (engine north/south) so I will have to lift one side of the car.

 

[BennyL]

on my E36 BMW, the drain bolt is on the passenger side of the car. so I just jack the car from the driver side, and the oil flows out real nice, cuz the drain bolt is kind of lower on that side. i haven't messed around with it, putting it down and lifting it back up or anything like that. i've always been jacking it from the driver side and i always get the same amount. i also always add the same 5L jug of oil in, and the specs say the engine takes exactly 5L... so I think its fine.

 

[BennyL]

by the way, side note... i have done many oil changes over the past few years of being a BITOG member. and i must say, the E36 is by far the most comfortable car to change the oil on... by a long shot.

some cars i've done: 01 bucik century, 02 dodge caravan, 95 chevy astro, 97 gmc safari, 07 honda crv, 92 lexus SC400, 00 merc cougar, 03 mini cooper, 91 nissan maxima

 

[The_Jeff]

Cars these days have the oil pan so low to the ground they put the drain plug on the side so it won't get torn off by road obstacles.

It wouldn't be all that safe, but if you put the ramps on a hill you'd get additional tilt and wouldn't have to jack. But there's never enough tilt, right?

 

[Dyoel182]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Cars these days have the oil pan so low to the ground they put the drain plug on the side so it won't get torn off by road obstacles.


As opposed to having it in the back seat?