Tacoma Blunder

Or, if you have to change the oil on a long road trip, find a garage next to a restaurant and have them do it while you hang out and take a break.

 

As long as the one in the garage changing the oil isn't like a few of us.

 

Prior to my first oil change I watched a YouTube video on how to and studied the drain plug location in relation to the crossmember just to be sure I was pulling the correct one.

 

Oddly enough, the time I drained the wrong pan was probably the 5th or 6th time I changed the oil on this truck. It obviously wasn't a problem before. There's no explanation other than my mind was elsewhere, thinking about our upcoming camping trip, instead of thinking about the task at-hand.

 

The thing I'm having a hard time understanding is the oil pan and trans pan are two different shapes and I'll say locations.

 

For oil changes, i've always assumed that the plug beneath the motor would be the right one....

 

This is 100% correct IMO. At least they still give you an option to drain it easily. Unlike a lot of new vehicles.

 

Thanks for your honesty.....

 

I have the long version on mine. They make shorter ones. I don't off-road so it doesn't affect me.

 

I don't know why, but my Dad taught me that after an oil and filter change, to always pull the dipstick and check the oil level -before- starting the engine. I still do this nearly sixty years later. He didn't explain why, but I surmise he probably got distracted one time and forgot to add the oil after draining. Maybe by me? He had me out with him working on the cars starting when I was a wee Bairn.

 

Or maybe he knew someone who (using a BIG drip pan) forgot to replace the drain plug and refilled the sump not knowing it was all draining out as he went!

 

Most of the time it's common sense to check and adjust fluid level after a change. Most of the time.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fluid-swap.805834/

 

I'll admit that happened to me one time! Oil and filter change: refilled crankcase and changed filter. Crawled under to slide out the big plastic oil drain pan.... (of of those that holds about 8 qts of oil and you carry it back to the recycle place). It was filled right to the brim. Hmmmm.... Dodged a bullet in more ways than one that time. What a mess that would have been all over the parents nice driveway. (But I wouldn't have driven off with no oil in it!)

 

Ask me how I know!!! I've done a lot of oil changes in the 55 years I've been driving. Things happen! (Luckily I caught the mistake before turning the key).

 

Exactly. All these people claiming they don't make mistakes crack me up. Mistakes happen, even to professionals of all types. Its called being human.

 

Second oil change on my tacoma I left the oil filter wrench on top sitting on top of the battery. A few days later while I was driving I heard some loud bangs and the filter wrench had fallen down and the fan had launched it at the radiator a few times and drained my coolant. Gave me a good laugh once I was changing out the radiator and found it sitting at the bottom inside the shroud, but I didn't find it too funny while I was stuck in a parking lot in a snow storm in the middle of the night waiting for my dad to rescue me with the trailer.

 

OUCH!

 

This is where a simple Fumoto drain valve comes in real nice!

 

Somehow people will still find a way to screw up

 

It will be fine , just hold this L