Regular vehicle maintenance is crucial, as it directly impacts personal safety and must never be taken lightly. Among all maintenance tasks, oil changes are the most critical step. There are two common methods for changing engine oil: “draining” and “pumping out.” So which method is better?

The drain bolt is not positioned at the lowest point of the oil pan, so some residual oil will always remain and cannot be completely drained. Some people believe that using an oil extractor can remove all the oil, while others think that draining the oil itself has a flushing effect and is therefore preferable. In fact, each method has its own advantages; the choice depends on the vehicle model and specific needs.

In fact, whether to drain or simply top off the oil is also related to the engine’s design and layout. For vehicles in which the oil filter is located in the upper part of the engine, draining the oil is usually recommended, as it allows for a quick service without removing the underbody guard or unscrewing the drain plug—making the maintenance process more convenient.

For vehicles in which the oil filter is located in the lower half of the engine, after lifting the vehicle with a lift, you must unscrew the drain plug to drain the oil—relying on gravity to empty the oil pan. If an engine skid plate with improperly positioned mounting holes is installed, you will also need to remove the skid plate before you can drain the oil.

In fact, there’s no fundamental difference between these two oil-change methods—it’s like drinking a beverage: whether you use a straw or just tilt the bottle and sip directly makes little difference. As for the issue of residual oil, it’s not really a major concern with either method.