TIL a 20 year tech changed how I think about oil filters

Had a chat with an old timer at the shop last week, name's Rick. He told me he always pre-fills the oil filter before installing it, even on sideways mounts. I used to think that was just wasting oil, but he showed me how it saves the engine from a dry start. Now I do it every time, has anyone else changed a habit after someone older called them out on it?

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aaron8963mo ago

I swapped to using a 3/8 inch torque wrench for my oil drain plugs after an old mechanic named Dave caught me just snugging them by feel. He said most guys strip the pan threads within five years of doing oil changes, and he had a whole coffee can full of ruined plugs to prove it. Now I look up the spec, click it in, and haven't had a single leak or stripped thread in eight years. That little habit change probably saved me from a major headache down the road.

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the_charles3mo ago

That "by feel" stuff works until it doesn't. Every time. Same reason I stopped guessing on tire pressure and started checking with a gauge. The coffee can full of ruined plugs tells you everything. Dave knew what's up.

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