How to Pour Oil—Without Making a Mess

Believe it or not, there's a right way and a wrong way to pour oil. By holding the container properly, you can actually eliminate those messy gurgles.

How to pour oil into your engine without making a messFamily Handyman

How to Pour Oil the RIGHT Way

Ever notice how motor oil bottles have an “off-centre” spout? It’s designed that way to cut down on spills. Most people think the spout should be on the bottom side of the bottle as you pour. That’s wrong. Because after just a few seconds in that position, the bottle will start to “burp” and spurt oil. To eliminate the “glug, glug, spurt, spurt,” pour with the spout in the “up” position. Yes, that makes it harder to aim, but once you get going, you’ll have a smooth stream without any “glugging.”

Now that you know how to pour oil the right way, find out exactly how often you should be changing your oil.

The Family Handyman
Originally Published on The Family Handyman