When on a level surface whatever drains out to the point it is a drop every 5-10 seconds is your goal. Don't leave more old oil than that! If your drain plug is at the rear of the oil pan at an angle you could drive the front wheels on a 2x6 block to give it a slight angle. Although the "best practice" is to change w/engine warm practically speaking the risk of burns is too great so do it at room temp. If your oil filter mounts vertically fill it with fresh oil to the extent you can and rub some fresh oil on the black filter gasket. Also carefully clean the mounting surface before screwing the new filter on. You didn't mention filter but ALWAYS change filter when doing an oil change. Choose the weight oil based on the upcoming fall temps in your area according to the weights your mfg specifies.

Hi

Drain the old oil out all of it never let even the slightest drop remain.

then there is the oil filter this is more important than the oil as it has collected all the metal shavings off the engine internally.

this very fine grinding paste mixed with the oil, will do more damage if left in the engine. so a new oil filter and remove all the OIL.

some for even greater safety have a magnetic drain plug which when removed shows some of the fine metal particles that you don't want in an engine.

You drain as much as possible. There will always be a residue of oil left clinging to the inside of the engine, don't worry about that, it's not a problem. There's no need to "flush" it out.

If you get the oil warm and remove the oil filler cap before you drain it, the oil will run out better. Most people leave it to drain while doing something else, then go back and replace the drain plug with a new washer before refilling. Just don't forget there's no oil in it and try to start the engine!

If you're going to do the filter at the same time, remove it while the oil's out, put some fresh oil in the new one, smear the rubber seal with oil and refit it hand tight.

There's always some oil left in the motor. Change the oil when the motor is warmed up and more comes out if you're going to be anal about it. Why take a chance on stripping the drain plug or forgetting to take the old oil filter gasket off the motor and then having the old oil to get rid of when you'll only save a few bucks? You're not "a man" when you change your own oil...you're a grease monkey!

Absolutely let all the *hot oil drain from the oil pan and oil filter for at least 30 minutes before putting the oil drain plug back in. Where possible fill the new oil filter with new clean oil before screwing it back on the motor which prevents dry starts.

Correct t method is.. Warm oil, drain fully. While draining remove oil filter.

Part fill new oil filter with fresh oil. Smear little around sealing ring. Ensure all surfaces clean from particles or debris.

Fit oil filter. Fit plug. Refill with fresh oil to level. Start ,idle 3 minutes.. Rev twice .. Idle 30 seconds stop.

Adjust oil to just below max fill point. This allows for heat expansion as oil get hot.

Always dip twice , wipe before dipping each time. Some dipsticks need a half turn when fully home before withdrawing to get correct level.

You'll never get all of it out,

there's always still some oil in the pump,

not much but enough to colour the new oil.

I like to leave it draining at least an hour,

so when performing a service the oil drains first,

then all the other service details performed,

which take an hour or so.

Yes. I would drain all the oil out. (Leave the oil cap off) and then even replace the oil filter. The oil filter has oil in it as well. let it drain for a good 5-8 minutes. then put the drain plug back in, put the new oil filter on. Fill the oil up to the manuf. level. Put the oils cap back on, start the car and check the oil filter for any oil residue on the filter and also any oil beneath the car.

If you crawl under your car you will see that the oil pan is designed to drain al the oil that it collects, as long as it sits reasonably level or at a slight incline so the curvature of the oil pan slopes toward the drain hole instead of away from it. All together as long as it's front end is not nose up in the air and rear end dragging, you should be good. Remember a couple of things before dropping the oil: 1.) check your owner's manual to see if you need to change your drain plug washer. 2.) use quality synthetic if your owner's manual includes it but remember that quality synthetic specs will be included in your unless it's a Mazda-8. Think about using quality synthetic transmission ATF or synthetic manual transmission gear lube.

I have read about people letting their oil drain for 24 hours but that is a bit extreme. 30 minutes is plenty. Change the filter too.

Need to change my oil and decided that every man should know how to chane their own oil. Seems pretty simple but just wondering if I should let all the old oil possible to drain out or leave a bit in there

You drain as much as you can. Some modern cars even require a sluicing oil to be put through, after draining, to make sure every last drop is removed. Any oil left in can contain minute particles of metal, that could slowly erode engine parts.

Why would you want to leave any old oil in there? To do a proper oil change you should even use flushing oil to clean out all the old oil.

If you change your oil and filter regularly, there is really no need to drain every single drop of used oil.

always try to get all the old oil out if possible. it wont hurt the vehicle if there is a bit of old engine oil but I always take a few quick pours of new oil with the plug and filter off just to try and flush things out then fill er up!

Drain as much as possible, remember to chnge the filter as that holds a quart of dirty oil

Don't worry about any flushing. Just let it drain until it doesn't drip anymore. That's what I do.

drain as much as you can. you wont be able to get every bit out.

you never get it all.