Oil Drain Pan

For those that do their own oil, can you recommend a decent drain pan?

Thanks,
Mike

 

I just use a cheap 15qt closed pan with the spout. It leaks but for $7 it couldn't be beat. I pour the old oil in a empty 5qt Mobil jug and take those to any oil recycle place.

It works fine for my 2009 Tacoma and 2008 Mazda3.

 

I have a Rubbermaid pan, but am not particularly impressed. Something made of metal should be better.

 

This is what I've used for years. Napa sells them. It holds 3.75 gallons.

 

I have something similar to this, from walmart I believe. it works fine.

 

X2

 

This is the one that I use (Wedco 83150). It's good for 2 oil changes and then I take it up to the local auto parts store to recycle.

 

After a few decades of oil changes, I've decided I hate all those pan/jug combos. Pain to clean and move/transport to oil disposal etc.

I just got a 7 qt or so plastic pail from OSH (Orchard Supply Hardware) that fits under the drain plug/pan with enough room for me to move the wrench and deal with the plug, but tall enough to stop any splash from the draining oil stream.

Bucket has a pour spout and measurements along the inside. The bottom is flat, no ridges, so it is easy to wipe out after. I just use a funnel to pour this into the empty oil jugs from my last change, cap those, then transport to disposal.

I put a small drip pan under the pail while working.

I don't see it on their website, but it is green and about 9 inches tall, IIRC.

 

Hmmm stole a 12qt wash pan from the wife like 20 yrs ago. Have stole another so I can do the filter in its own pan. Every so often I dissect the filters and it helps with the mess.
Son bought a fancy one I don't like it. I funnel the used oil back into the 5 gt container the new oil was in.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/FloTool-Utility-Funnel/19888802

Got this funnel to put oil back in the wife's forester. Her car has like a 1 inch dia drain hole and a 1/2 inch if that fill hole. Turns out after unscrewing the flex hose the funnel screws into the tacos oil cap threads. Not ground breaking but it helps to control mess.

 

Interesting!

 

Agreed. The oil comes out like a fire hose and splashes all over. I have a dedicated collection pan with the edges turned in to catch the splashing. I then transfer it to a 17 quart oil container using a funnel. Every 3 changes I take it to Autozone and dump it for free.

 

Reminds me of a funny (if it isn't your Subie) story. Friend's daughter had just met this guy, crazy about each other. She was driving Dad's extra outback. She tells the BF she's going to get the oil changed and he tells her she should let him do it.

Basic punchline: after draining it and putting in what he expects it to need he pulls the dipstick. Turns out he's checking the tranny fluid, and it's a curly-hair low. So he keeps adding oil. No change to oil level! They actually go to Walmart to buy more oil! Wound up putting like 11 quarts in it. I think the motor was damaged.

Cautionary tale to the fathers out there: She married him.

 

I run the fumoto oil valve with the nipple. Attach a piece of hose to it three inches long and use empty windshield fluid jugs. I save most of the jugs just for oil changes. No pans and the hose goes in the trash after. Only one or two drops make an escape.

Probably wouldn't run a fumoto without a skid pan that covers it though, unless you're always on pavement.

 

I have one very similar to this except it doesn't have the side cap. It has worked well. I did try one with the side cap but it kept leaking so it ended up in the trash.

 

I agree. I do pretty much the same thing. I bought a rubber/plastic pan approx. 16"x 12" x 6" to drain the oil into. Simple funnel to place new oil into vehicle and drain old into container new oil came in. Wipe out pan. Have done it that way for over 40 years. Obviously old school. I think sometimes people overthink things.

 

So nobody just dumps it in the storm drain? Hassle free as it gets!



Just kidding, i have a green 4gal pan then ivtransfer to a sealed container for recycling

 

I like to use this as a base with a more traditional catch pan in the middle. Catches fluids that somehow manage to get past the boundary of a smaller catch pan. Especially useful when pulling transmission pans as fluid can get all over the place even after first draining that pan.

2 ft. x 3 ft.

http://www.lislecorp.com/divisions/products/?product=455

 

Things have gotten much more civilized in the last 30 years.

Back in the early 80's when I lived in Laramie, WY, we would all just drive out into the prairie down some two-track and dump it out on the ground. I totally cringe when I think of that. After a couple years I got a conscience about it, and did the 'environmentalist' thing. Took a gallon glass pickle jar and filled it, then put that in the trash. Yikes. It probably broke in the garbage truck.

 

I second the fumoto - had them on all my cars and a motorcycle. Never once had a problem with them, and oil changes are hassle free.

 

I had to replace my oil pan awhile back. Dealership didn't have one in stock and I need the truck up and running asap so I had to throw on a Autozone brand. Hasn't leaked in 6 months but I noticed the threads of the stock plug don't line up with the Autozone pan. I believe Fumoto is out of the question for me. I would love one.