How to Use an Oil Drain Pan for an Oil Change

Get the pan and the car ready

Start by checking your engine's oil capacity in the owner's manual. Your pan needs to hold that amount with room to spare, because a fast stream of oil can overshoot a pan that is only just big enough. Our best oil drain pan page covers capacity, size and spout features if you are still choosing one.

Warm the engine for a few minutes before you start, then shut it off. Warm oil flows more freely and carries more debris out with it. Do not drain oil from a fully hot engine, since the oil, the pan and the exhaust parts can all burn you.

Gather what you need before you get under the car: a wrench or socket that fits the drain plug, a new filter, a filter wrench, fresh oil, gloves, safety glasses, shop towels and a funnel. Set a piece of cardboard or a drip mat under the work area to catch strays.

Safety first

Oil changes put you under a vehicle, so the lifting method matters more than any other step. Only work under a car that is held by properly rated jack stands or ramps on level ground. Never rely on a jack alone, and keep the parking brake on.

Wear safety glasses, because oil can drip or splash toward your face when you loosen the plug or filter. Nitrile gloves protect your skin from hot and used oil. Wipe up spills right away, since oil on a garage floor is a slip hazard.

Draining the oil step by step

The same routine works for most cars, trucks and small engines. The details vary, so check your manual for the drain plug location and any special steps.

• Raise and secure the vehicle, then locate the drain plug on the lowest part of the oil pan.
• Position the drain pan slightly toward the front or rear of the plug, not directly beneath it. Oil leaves the hole in an arc at first, then drops straight down as the flow slows.
• Loosen the plug with a wrench, then finish unscrewing it by hand. Press it upward as you turn so oil does not run down your arm.
• Pull the plug away quickly and let the oil drain. Keep your hand clear of the stream.
• Wait until the flow slows to a drip, then keep waiting a little longer so the last oil can come out.
• Wipe the plug and the drain hole. Check the washer or gasket, replace it if it looks worn, and thread the plug back in by hand before snugging it with the wrench.
• Check your manual for the plug's torque spec and avoid overtightening, which can damage threads.

Drain pan or filter first?

Drain the engine oil first, then deal with the filter. The filter holds some oil of its own, and removing it before the engine has drained lets that oil mix with the rest of the mess. Draining the pan first also lowers the oil level, so less comes out when the filter breaks loose.

When the stream at the plug has slowed, slide the pan under the filter. Loosen the filter with a filter wrench and turn it by hand once it breaks free. Expect oil to run down the filter and the engine as you remove it. Tip the old filter into the pan and let it drain upside down for a while before you throw it out or recycle it.

Some pans make this easier. The Spill-Less DrainMate 14 qt, for example, has an integrated screen that keeps the drain plug from dropping into the used oil and holds the oil filter while it drains, according to its listing.

How long does it take to drain?

Most of the oil leaves in the first few minutes, but the slow drip at the end is what takes time. A common habit is to give it extra minutes after the stream thins out, and longer on a cold engine or thick oil. There is no single number that fits every engine, so watch the flow rather than the clock.

Pan shape also affects your experience while you wait. A low pan slides under a vehicle with little ground clearance, while a deeper pan reduces splashing. The table below uses numbers from our spec sheet to show how a few pans differ in practice.

Moving and disposing of used oil

Used oil should not go in the trash, down a drain or onto the ground. Most auto parts stores and local recycling centers accept it, but call ahead to confirm their rules and limits.

Carry the pan with both hands and keep it level. A pan with a pour spout lets you transfer the oil into a sealable jug with a funnel. Pans with sealable caps, such as the PAK 16 qt with tethered caps, can be closed up and carried straight to the drop-off point.

Do not mix used oil with solvents, gasoline or other fluids, because recyclers may refuse mixed containers. If you also drain coolant, use a separate pan or container. Wipe the pan out, cap it and store it where it will not tip.

Adding a drain valve for cleaner changes

If you do frequent changes, a valve can replace the plug and let you control the flow, which cuts down on drips and fumbling under the car. Compare options on our best oil drain valve page, and check that any valve matches your engine's thread size before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly should I put the pan?

Place it slightly offset from the plug in the direction the oil will first spray, then shift it under the hole once the flow turns into a steady drop.

Can I reuse the same pan for coolant or transmission fluid?

Only if you clean it thoroughly, and it is better to keep separate pans. Mixed fluids can be refused at recycling centers.

What if the pan overflows?

Put the plug back in if you can do it safely, or place a second container under the stream. Soak up spills with absorbent material or cat litter and dispose of it as your local rules require.

How do I clean the pan afterward?

Wipe out the oil with shop towels, cap the pan and store it upright. Dispose of the towels as your local rules require.