To change engine oil - HOT or COLD?

I do it after warming up the engine. I let it sit while I get everything ready. I like to have a roll of paper towels there to wipe my hands and clean up any messes.

Last oil change I added an EZ 103RH oil drain valve. It's the same part for the Tacos. The next one should be a better experience.

It's just water under the skid plate in the picture.




The valve.

 

I change it at operating temp. Suspend all the particulate matter in the hot oil than run it down my arm so I can inspect the oil for any foreign matter.

 

I've always changed it with a warm engine. Additionally, after the plug has been removed and all of the oil has drained out, I will pour a little fresh oil in at the top so it flows down and "flushes" the rest of the residual old oil from the surfaces and bottom of the pan.
You lose about 1/3 of a quart with this technique, but it's great peace-of-mind to know that you got as much of the old stuff out as possible.

 

You'd LOVE the oil change I did once in my Supercoupe T-bird. Forgot to replace the drain plug after draining the old oil, then poured 4-1/2 quarts in the fill hole. Only remembered I hadn't replaced the drain plug when I saw a river of new oil running behind the car. Pouring new oil and letting it drain is a complete waste, IMO. the crank passages, camshaft valley and lifters, oil pump and its channels are all full of "old" oil that won't drain.

I've always changed the oil when hot/warm. I wait long enough for the exhaust and cats to cool off, then get busy. They aren't an issue on the Taco, but have been on about every other vehicle we've owned.

 

Samsies.

 

Deeper oil drain pan may help?

-J

 

Never, just add when ever you it needs some.

 

Split the difference and do it warm... I just do it in my driveway on ramps. Its high enough i can crawl under even when not on ramps but this raises the front of the oil pan so theoretically more will drain out
... I run the engine till temp gauge just begins to move and pull drain plug and come back in an hour. Even though i use a shallow pan it never goes anywhere but in the pan..

Once i come back its drained well and oil filter is nice and cool and easy to change . Once loose i can undo it by hand then.

 

Hot for me. I want as complete a drain as possible, even if it causes me a few light burns...lol

The Tacoma 4.0L engine is a piece of cake to do oil changes.

The oil filter on my TSX, on the other hand, is a bear to replace. It's tucked up near things that can burn you, and always leaks on the subframe. Would be OK for that one to be a little cooler...lol

 

I run the truck to mix the crud up, drain when its cool enough not to burn me.

 

Exactly... Doesn't have to be scalding hot. I just run till the temp gauge starts to register, roll it up on ramps and drain it as fast as i can get the plug off. Everything is still stirred up and since its 5W30 it is plenty thin enough to drain well.. And i give it at least 30 minutes to keep dripping before I put the plug back in.. That why I have always done it myself in my driveway, no need to rush. Spend the time just walking around the truck, check tire pressure, fill windshield washer, have a cup of coffee etc.

 

Considering that if there is any "crud" in the pan getting "stirred up" it will then get sucked up into the oil pickup and straight to the filter.

 

I've always done the same thing. Sometimes I'll let it drain overnight and finish in the morning.

 

I have found a couple of simple items to help keep the oil change less messy.

Nitrile gloves for me.
A roll of blue shop towels (just in case)
5/16" fuel hose about 3 feet long. This goes on the nipple on the bottom of the oil filter catch basin. I route the other end to the drain pan.

I change cold or warm. Not hot, too easy to get burned by oil splash.

 

Hot... Usually let car cool enough so I can touch the exhaust and not get burned, but the oil will still be plenty warm and flows well.

 

LMFAO 4 years later