Car Care: How to Pour Oil
Updated: Jun. 11, 2020Eliminate oil bottle “burps”
Believe it or not, there's a right way and a wrong way to pour oil from a plastic bottle into your car's engine. By holding the container properly, you can actually eliminate those messy gurgles.
Bottle design 101
When performing an oil change, ever notice how oil bottles have an “off-center” spout? It’s designed that way to cut down on spills. Most people think the spout should be on the bottom side of the bottle as you pour. That’s wrong. Because after just a few seconds in that position, the bottle will start to “burp” and spurt oil. To eliminate the “glug, glug, spurt, spurt,” pour with the spout in the “up” position. Yes, that makes it harder to aim, but once you get going, you’ll have a smooth stream without any “glugging.”
Required Tools for this Project
Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.
- Rags
Required Materials for this Project
Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.
- Oil
Originally Published: June 20, 2017
