Oil Change

This will probably get some laughs but how the hell do I get the oil to NOT drip on the skid plate when draining? I tried jacking up both driver side and passenger side front tires to angle the drain bolt.....

 

Happened my first time too. Left a big mess on the skid and didn't sit well with me thinking of the mess so I removed both my skids eventually to clean it up.

What you'll probably get most people tell you is to install the Fumoto valve or similar.
Just installed mine couple weekends ago.

 

Look up fumoto valve. This + drain hose = no more mess.

Somebody beat me to it! lol

 

Any spills or splatters are quickly mitigated by a healthy squirt of brake parts cleaner.

 

You should have seen the amount of oil that splashed out of the drain pan onto the inner sidewall of the passenger tire. I’d like the meet the dumbass that decided we need 2 gallons of hot oil launching at a 45 degree angle…

 

Probably the same dude who thought 86ing the trans cooler was a good idea

 

Probably the same dude who thought 86ing the driver's side grab rail was a good idea.

Fumoto valve for the win! I've been Fumotoing for 20 years.

 

lol, I just love fumotoing in the morning!

 

I prefer to 89.

 

If you have some paper packaging filler or even a thin cardboard, usually that’ll do the trick if you don’t want to spend any money.

I usually keep a bundle of packaging filler on hand in my oil change box to use as a cover if oil were to splatter around when I drain (usually the wind picks up for some oddball reason every time I do an oil change).

 

You guys change your oil?

 

Hey there! Is this the fumoto you’re fumotoing around with? lol

 

Hey there! Yes indeed that's the Fumoto I had installed. I have since then taken it out and installed the ValvoMax not fumotoing around anymore.

 

Mind me asking why? Was it cheaper or more reliable? I’ll be doing my first oil change on my new to me 19’ Pro and just wanna look into practical upgrades for this as I’ve been reading a bunch of horror stories about doing your own oil change ‍♂️

 

The ValvoMax just seems like it's a bit of a better quality. I don't recall the price differences but I think I'll be satisfied with the Valvomax over the Fumoto. I've only done 3 oil changes so far on my new to me '18 and found it's one of the easiest maintenance items for the Tundra. You'll see how easy it is. I'm sure you've done enough research though to know to get yourself the motivex kit to make it even easier. Only thing you may struggle with is gonna be the oil filter housing if Hercules over tightened the housing. Just get yourself a good breaker bar in case.

 

I'd like to hear more about this Valvomax as well. I'm still currently running the stock plug, but was going to change that to Fumoto at next interval. Is it just build quality? Or is there another feature I'm missing here to opt for one over the other? Does the Valvomax have a nipple (option?) to connect a hose? I really like the idea of a hose and skipping the drain pan all together. My least favorite part of an oil change on these trucks thus far is moving the used oil from the pan, back to one of the 5 qt jugs. So that to me is an important feature.

 

ValvoMax is basically the same concept as the Fumoto but uses the same method as the MotiveX oil filter tool(if your familiar with that) it's a 2 piece system. The plug itself which has a slightly bigger footprint then a Fumoto since it has a screw on cap that serves as a backup to prevent accidental oil drainage and then the valve piece that you screw onto the plug to open it up to drain. Here are a couple pictures I just took...




My first oil change was with the stock plug and I had the TRD skid plate. It made a huge mess because as soon as it stops shooting out, it drains down the oil pan and onto the skid. I was not prepared for that so I had a big puddle of oil leaking from the entire backside of my pan. So if you have the TRD skid plate, be prepared for that. Either plug you choose will eliminate that from happening. Also, ValvoMax is veteran owned. To several people that matters.

https://www.valvomax.com/

You can also get it on Amazon. That's where I got mine

 

Oh yeah and to respond to this comment is Valvomax sells drain bags that you can drain your oil straight into. Me personally, I don't really mind draining to a bucket then transferring to the jugs but technically, yes you can stop mid way and switch out the jugs.

 

Have you had an instance where you needed to remove it? Or do you install it, and just forget about it til it's time to unscrew it and connect the hose?

 

I just completed my 3rd oil change on my tundra which I swapped out the Fumoto to the ValvoMax so I haven't done a drain using the VM but I don't forsee there being a reason to have to remove it. Same would go for the Fumoto if you choose that

 

Great, another thing to buy.

Now, on the point about halfway/swapping jugs. If the (excuse my ignorance here) Fumoto has a lever to stop flow, does the Valvomax as well? I couldn't tell from your pics which I greatly appreciate you sharing!

 

With the VM you spin on the actuator/hose onto the plug. Lemme just place this here..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Odf6MOG3L54
I've actually never watched this video but he breaks it down pretty well.
So to swap out jugs you'd want to twist to close between jugs.

 

I have to take my skid plate off to change the oil it’s a huge pain getting that thing on and off when laying on your back.