Is it necessary to replace the oil drain plug during car maintenance?
3 Answers
It is not always necessary to replace the oil drain plug during car maintenance. The specific circumstances are as follows: 1. Depending on the vehicle model: Some vehicle models require the oil drain plug to be replaced every time the oil is changed. 2. Reason for replacement: The main purpose of replacing the oil drain plug with a new one during each oil change is to prevent oil leakage. Relevant information about the oil drain plug is as follows: 1. Oil pan drain plug: This is a screw located at the bottom of the engine oil pan. 2. Function: When the engine requires an oil change during maintenance, this screw is loosened to drain the old oil from the engine. After tightening the screw, new oil is added through the engine's filling port.
I've noticed many people are conflicted about whether to replace the drain plug. Honestly, it depends. Having changed my own oil for several years, experience tells me the screw doesn't necessarily need replacing every time, but it does wear with use—especially the sealing washer, that rubber ring preventing leaks. Over time, it deforms and ages, and if it doesn't seal tightly, oil might seep out. Once, I skipped replacing it, and within a few hundred meters, oil was dripping on the ground—messy to clean up and a waste of fresh oil. My advice: during each maintenance check, inspect the plug for deformation, rust, or thread damage. Aluminum screws are prone to breaking, while steel ones are more durable but still require care. Many owners skip replacing it to save a few bucks, but if a leak damages the engine, repairs could cost thousands. Make it a habit to buy high-quality screws and replace the washer along with it—peace of mind and safety. Also, a reminder: don’t overtighten during installation, as it can strip the threads and damage the oil pan.
From a professional perspective, replacing the drain plug is not absolutely mandatory but highly recommended. Repeated tightening can cause fatigue in the screw, with aluminum plugs being particularly prone to deformation, while iron ones fare slightly better but may suffer thread wear over time, leading to poor sealing—oil leakage is a minor issue, but engine damage from oil starvation is catastrophic. The small sealing washer is crucial; rubber ones typically lose elasticity after one or two uses and must be replaced. I've seen numerous cases where owners tried to save money by not replacing the plug, only for it to corrode and cause complete oil loss at high speeds, resulting in engine seizure—repair costs then skyrocket to dozens of times the price of a new plug. During maintenance, always inspect the plug; replace it immediately if deformed or rusted. Quality metal plugs can endure multiple uses but shouldn’t exceed three to four years. Torque is also critical—use a torque wrench to tighten the plug to the specified setting. Over-tightening risks damage, while under-tightening invites leaks. Remember, safe driving outweighs cost savings.
