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What Size Socket For Oil Plug

When changing the oil in a car, having the right tools can make the process infinitely easier and more efficient. An oil drain plug wrench is one of those tools.

Changing a car’s oil requires an oil drain plug wrench. Oil plugs form a solid seal to contain several of your car’s fluids, and can only be removed and replaced with an oil drain plug wrench.

At Capri Tools, we’re proud to offer a wide selection of automotive tools, including our Capri Tools Oil Drain Plug Wrench. Featuring a box end and hex driver end, our Oil Drain Plug Wrench can be used to change the oil in the oil pan, transfer case fluid, and differential fluid.

What Is an Oil Drain Plug Wrench?

Wrenches are used to tighten, loosen, and remove components such as bolts, nuts, screws, pipe fittings, etc. There are many types of wrenches used in different industries An oil drain plug wrench is specifically used to tighten or loosen an oil drain plug when changing the oil on a vehicle, transfer case fluid, or differential fluid. This wrench consists of one end called the box end, while the opposite end is called the hex driver. The box end, or open end, fits around the oil drain plug to loosen and tighten it. The hex driver end, featuring a six-sided “male” or allen end, is used for servicing the transfer case.

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What Size Wrench Do You Need for an Oil Drain Plug?

What size wrench to use for an oil drain plug depends on the size of the oil drain plug itself, which is a long bolt head. There is no universal oil plug size, but they do come in just a few several standard sizes, such as ¼ inch (.6 centimeters), 3/8 inch (.9 centimeters), ½ inch (1.3 centimeters), etc. Sockets also come in different sizes to fit bolt heads, such as six points (hexagon, or “hex” for short), and eight points (double square).

The exact size of wrench you need will depend on the make and model of the vehicle.

How To Use an Oil Drain Plug Wrench

Here’s how to remove oil drain plugs using an oil drain plug wrench for each of the following tasks:

Changing the Oil

Locate the oil drain plug on your car’s oil plate. Place the box end securely around the oil drain plug and turn counterclockwise to loosen and remove. Let all the oil drain out of the oil pan and into a reliable oil drain bin. Once the oil is all drained (the amount will depend on the type of vehicle), wipe the oil drain plug with a rag and inspect for any wear and tear. If you note any deterioration or damage, get a replacement oil plug.

Reinstall the oil drain plug using the wrench’s box end, turning clockwise. Do not over-tighten. Now you can proceed to change the oil filter and add new oil.

Changing the Transfer Case Oil

Locate the transfer case on the underside of your vehicle. Note that some cars may have two oil plugs on the transfer case. The top plug is the fill plug, and the bottom plug is the drain plug. If your car has two oil plugs, remove the fill plug first. Using the hex driver end, insert this into the socket and turn counterclockwise to loosen and remove the plug. With a drain pan positioned underneath, repeat the same steps for the drain plug. Let all the fluid drain from the transfer case into the pan. Wipe and inspect the drain plugs, then tighten the drain plug back on using the hex driver end. Refill the transfer case with the proper fluid. Then replace and tighten the fill plug using the wrench.

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Changing Differential Fluid

Changing differential fluid follows much the same process as changing transfer case fluid. Locate the differential drain plugs. Use the wrench’s hex driver end to remove the fill plug, then remove the drain plug. Once all fluid is drained into an oil catch pan, replace the drain plug. Refill the differential with the proper fluid and tighten the fill plug back on.

What To Consider When Looking For an Oil Drain Plug Tool

Apart from size and compatibility, when looking for an oil drain plug tool, you need to consider the following: the accessibility of the oil plugs, as well as your safety. Are the oil plugs easy or hard to reach? What about avoiding oil spills and oil scalds?

If an oil drain plug wrench cannot reach an oil plug, consider an oil drain plug remover tool. Also referred to as an oil drain plug removal tool, this features a magnetic head design that attaches to ferrous metal oil drain plugs. Similar in appearance to a screwdriver, an oil drain plug tool’s flexible rod can access an oil plug from nearly any angle. This tool can help prevent oil from spilling onto the floor or your hands.

Correct Size Wrench and Compatibility With Your Car

To properly unscrew and tighten an oil plug, know the size of the oil plugs present on your vehicle. Then use the correct wrench size for the oil drain plugs. Using the wrong size wrench or one that is not compatible with your vehicle can result in stripping the oil plug. This means that the hexagonal head of the drain plug becomes rounded. This prevents the hexagonal box end of the wrench from properly fitting around the drain plug. Failure to replace a stripped drain plug may result in engine damage.

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User-Friendly, Ergonomic, and Reliable Design

The Capri Tools Oil Drain Plug Wrench features a well-balanced design that makes it easy to remove and tighten oil plugs. Featuring a small profile and a slight offset, our tool allows you to work on drain plugs where a socket can’t normally reach.

The Advantages of a Capri Tools Oil Drain Plug Wrench

Capri Tools Oil Drain Plug Wrench offers several advantages over the competition:

Includes a 17mm Box End and a 14mm Hex Driver End for Multiple Services

With both a 17mm box end and a 14mm hex driver end, Capri Tools Oil Drain Plug Wrench is a 2-in-1 tool for your vehicle’s oil drain plugs. Whether you’re changing the oil, transfer case fluid, or differential fluid, our Oil Drain Plug Wrench eliminates the need for a differential plug wrench.

Low-Profile Design for Hard To Reach Places and Convenience

Our wrench’s low-profile design allows for easy access to oil plugs in hard-to-reach areas and, at 9.56,” our wrench can reach where sockets can’t.

Compatible With Popular German Vehicle Brands Like BMW and Mercedes-Benz

Own or need to work on a BMW or Mercedes-Benz? Our Oil Drain Plug Wrench is compatible with both BMW oil drain plugs and Mercedes Benz oil drain plugs.

Lifetime Warranty

At Capri Tools, we offer only the best, and we stand behind our products 100%. Our hand tools come with a Lifetime Warranty. We believe high-quality tools should never need a replacement.

Trust in High-Quality Products and Tools for Your Next Project

At Capri Tools, we provide top-grade products for your next project. From working on at-home projects to providing repairs for a customer, our high-quality tools ensure high-quality results. Made with the best materials, our products retail at competitive prices so you receive the most value for your dollar of any tool supplier on the market. The next time you need to work on a vehicle, trust Capri Tool’s wide selection of automotive tools to get the job done right the first time. For a tool fit for multiple common automotive tasks, choose our high-performance Oil Drain Plug Wrench. We offer free shipping on orders $50 or more, and stellar after-sale service to help meet your automotive repair needs.

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