Or is "snug" just enough? Thinking of picking up a cheap one at harbor freight to use for spark plugs, tire rotations, etc.

I don't use a torque wrench for that. I would be careful about the cheaper clicker wrenches. while they may be decently accurate at say 50-100lbs, i don't trust them in the 15- 20 lb range.

I use a liquid vac instead

I don't.

Snug+ is good enough for me for drain plugs and spark plugs. Lug nuts get snug++

Slacker Zee09

Hard to find good help these days.

I've been doing oil changes for 32 years now and tightening the drain plug by hand and doing it "tight but not too tight" has worked for me this entire time.

Heck no.

This ^^^^^^ (Patman post)

So yes, use a wrench. Just don't over-torque the bolt.

I do use a torque wrench. Steel bolt, aluminum pan, I'm always worried about stripping it. Have I installed one without a torque wrench in the past? Yes. But I have a torque wrench in my toolbox, and it takes maybe 30 seconds longer to get it out and use it, so, why not?

Incidentally, be very careful with transmission pan drain bolts. The pans are usually thinner and the holes have fewer threads than oil pans, so, they can be easier to strip. Ask me how I know.

Yes i am a snowflake load..... You got me!

I'z just messing with ya Zee09

Always good to see you on here.

You too my friend. I quit using a torque wrench in the 80's when my new
Craftsman was so far off the mark i had no confidence in it or its replacement.

Highly unnecessary, unless you're one of those people lacking judgement (or "feel," or mechanical sympathy, or whatever word you like) for such things. I have a friend like that.

Only on Honda aluminum pans and motorcycles.