Lots of us prefer to do our own oil on our cars, myself included. I know now all of us have the same reasoning behind this choice, but I've read enough threads to know that for most of us, it's usually a similar reason - We just don't trust the dealership and/or the "Jiffy Lube" type places, and we know if we do it ourself, it will be done with care and to a proper level of competence.
For me, this is especially true. I bought my 2010 Fusion used in 2014, with a little over 177,000 miles on it, and have been doing my own maintenance on it since I bought it.
I first noticed an issue on the first oil change that I did on it. When I went to remove the drain plug, I found that it had apparently been hand-tightened by Superman. Using a standard socket wrench and socket, I could not budge it, but I did find that the bolt head was noticeably deformed - So much so that the socket would not even go on straight.
My only solution was to grab an impact socket in the correct size, and carefully hammer it on the drain plug, and then use my breaker bar to carefully work it off. Luckily, it came off without causing damage to the oil pan.
I lived with this bolt for a couple oil changes, but during this last oil change, I finally got around to putting on a new magnetic drain plug. I can't believe I waited this long.
In any case, here's what the drain plug that came with the car looks like. WHAT were they thinking???
For me, this is especially true. I bought my 2010 Fusion used in 2014, with a little over 177,000 miles on it, and have been doing my own maintenance on it since I bought it.
I first noticed an issue on the first oil change that I did on it. When I went to remove the drain plug, I found that it had apparently been hand-tightened by Superman. Using a standard socket wrench and socket, I could not budge it, but I did find that the bolt head was noticeably deformed - So much so that the socket would not even go on straight.
My only solution was to grab an impact socket in the correct size, and carefully hammer it on the drain plug, and then use my breaker bar to carefully work it off. Luckily, it came off without causing damage to the oil pan.
I lived with this bolt for a couple oil changes, but during this last oil change, I finally got around to putting on a new magnetic drain plug. I can't believe I waited this long.
In any case, here's what the drain plug that came with the car looks like. WHAT were they thinking???