Also, avoid doing the oil change when its windy. No matter how careful you are, the wind has a habit of blowing the dripping oil just beyond the edge of your drain pan, thus leaving about 600 little spots on the driveway while you're inside having a beer and letting the oil drain.
oil change technique
- Thread starter AndrewL
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Good tips. Someone mentioned using cardboard underneath the oil collection pan. Even better is to use the new 'plastic corrugated' board like the ones used for political signs. These come in various sizes and one will fit perfectly under the car or truck. They allow you to easily slip under the car without a creeper without getting concrete rash. If any oil spills on it, you can easily wipe it off and still reuse the board again. Store it out of the way in the garage and use it many times before it eventually wears out. Be sure not to remove a candidate's sign before the campaign is over.
Oil extractor followed by pulling the plug to get that last little bit . no mess and you feel good about getting every drop .
I understand your question completely..But once you figure out the first time how far you oil drains back when you remove plug, you know where to line up your oil pan catcher. My hands always get blasted with oil when I pull the plug..I wear latex gloves. Also I have a nice sheet of wood paneling I put underneath my car..This way nothing goes on the ground.
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First, put newspapers all over the area you are working in/on.
they are great for absorbing oil. And you simply pick them up and throw them away later.
they are great for absorbing oil. And you simply pick them up and throw them away later.
Or spread a large thick plastic trash bag on the floor.
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
One of the best fluid extractor for less than $100 is Mityvac 7201. Its capacity is more than 8.5 quarts, enough to get all oil from a MB engine.
As mentioned above, with cartridge filter on top of the engine changing oil with a fluid extractor is so easy and mess free.
X2! The first and only oil change on the Cruze so far resulted in a few drops spilled when removing the top-mount cartridge filter.
It's also nice on the Fit to get out most of the oil so the remaining quart drains out more slowly.
One of the best fluid tools I've used, and one tool I'm glad I bought. I've changed lots of fluids with it mess-free.
One of the best fluid extractor for less than $100 is Mityvac 7201. Its capacity is more than 8.5 quarts, enough to get all oil from a MB engine.
As mentioned above, with cartridge filter on top of the engine changing oil with a fluid extractor is so easy and mess free.
X2! The first and only oil change on the Cruze so far resulted in a few drops spilled when removing the top-mount cartridge filter.
It's also nice on the Fit to get out most of the oil so the remaining quart drains out more slowly.
One of the best fluid tools I've used, and one tool I'm glad I bought. I've changed lots of fluids with it mess-free.
Kestas
Staff member
One neighbor has a vehicle that is a bear to drain the oil. The stream splashes on the suspension parts making a holy mess. I learned to remove the plug and hold it over the hole for a while to control the stream. Once a good bit of the oil is drained, I can relax and the stream doesn't hit the parts. This is on a 98 Mercedes ML320 that holds 8.5 qts.
Originally Posted By: Kestas
This is on a 98 Mercedes ML320 that holds 8.5 qts.
Perfect candidate for an oil extractor.
This is on a 98 Mercedes ML320 that holds 8.5 qts.
Perfect candidate for an oil extractor.
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: Kestas
This is on a 98 Mercedes ML320 that holds 8.5 qts.
Perfect candidate for an oil extractor.
I agree. Oil extractor works best with a MB engine, the dipstick tube is designed for it.
Originally Posted By: Kestas
This is on a 98 Mercedes ML320 that holds 8.5 qts.
Perfect candidate for an oil extractor.
I agree. Oil extractor works best with a MB engine, the dipstick tube is designed for it.
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