Buyer’s Guide for Oil Drain Pans: Sizes, Materials, Types & More

Whether you are a DIY mechanic or a professional one, there’s one essential equipment you will need when changing any vehicle’s engine oil - an oil drain pan. These are ideal for oil changes, storing or transporting to recycling centers. You can choose from various kinds of oil drain pans available on the market today - from an electric oil drain pan to a hand pump oil pan and more. They are excellent for preventing any spills in your garage or repair shop.

In this buyer’s guide, we will talk about oil drain pans, their usage, the types available, the materials they are made out of, the sizes they come in and more.

What is an Oil Drain Pan and Why Do You Need One?

An oil drain pan is a container used to collect and store oil during oil changes in a vehicle. The purpose of this equipment is to ensure that there’s no spillage in your garage, driveway or auto repair shop. And, to make sure that the procedure is done cleanly and efficiently.

Benefits of Using an Oil Drain Pan

• Ensures you have a clean workspace
• Makes sure used oil is properly disposed of
• Reduces oil stains in your garage, driveway or auto repair shop floor
• Prevents environmental contamination

Different Sizes of Oil Drain Pans

There are numerous oil drain pan sizes available in the market today and each is designed to suit different types of vehicles.

Extra Large: 20-Gallon and Above Oil Drain Pans:

20-gallon and above oil drain pans come under the extra-large category. These are extremely useful for a professional mechanic and in a commercial space such as an auto repair shop. They are very handy for constant oil changes and can be used for multiple vehicles at a time, reducing the need for frequent emptying.

Large:15 to 20 Gallon Oil Drain Pans:

15 to 20 gallon oil drain pan come under the large category of oil drain pans. Designed for heavy-duty vehicles, trucks and large SUVs, they can handle higher oil capacities, making them quite a dependable option for substantial tasks.

Medium: 10 to 15-Gallon Oil Drain Pans:

10 to 15-gallon oil drain pans are medium-sized and ideal for standard oil changes. They are suitable for a wide range of vehicles - passenger cars, light trucks and mid-sized SUVs – as they offer the perfect balance between portability and capacity.

Small: 5 to 10-Gallon Oil Drain Pans:

5 to 10-gallon oil drain pans are the smallest category and are ideal for small cars, motorcycles and light-duty vehicles. Perfect for smaller oil-capacity vehicles, they are compact and manageable and ideal equipment to keep in your garage, especially if you have limited space.

Why Choosing the Right-Sized Oil Drain Pan is Important?

• Choosing the correct size ensures a cleaner and safer workspace.
• This leads to easier and more efficient oil changes.
• Smaller oil drain pans for large vehicles can lead to spillage and frequent emptying.
• Using an extra-large oil drain pan for a smaller vehicle, particularly at home can be difficult to manage.

Materials that are Used to Make Oil Drain Pans

Typically oil drain pans are made of metal or plastic and each of them has its advantages and drawbacks. Take a look at the detailed comparison table below.

Metal Oil Drain Pan: Advantages and Disadvantages

Plastic Oil Drain Pan: Advantages and Disadvantages

Which is Better? Plastic Oil Drain Pans or Metal Oil Drain Pans

To choose which of the two is better completely depends on your needs and frequency of usage.

• If you perform oil changes at home in your garage occasionally, then a plastic oil drain pan is a good option. It’s lightweight and easy to use regularly.
• If you’re a professional mechanic, then a metal oil drain pan is better suited for you. A metal one is durable, heat-resistant and much more convenient to be used for frequent oil changes.

Various Types/Kinds of Oil Drain Pans

There are different types of oil drain pans available on the market today, from basic to advanced, and each of them is designed with specific features to meet certain requirements. Let’s take a look at some below.

Low-Profile Oil Drain Pans:

Low-profile oil drain pans are just what you need for vehicles that have low ground clearance. These are particularly designed shallow and wide and are perfect for sports cars and much more compact vehicles.

Standard Oil Drain Pans:

Generally made from durable metal or plastic, a standard oil drain pan is apt for both professional use in an auto repair shop or for a DIY mechanic. Comes on various sizes, saving you from spills in your garage or repair shop.

Hand Pump Oil Drain Pans:

Hand pump oil pans come with a manual pump mechanism. They are an apt choice for home mechanics or small auto repair shops. Since they come with a hand pump, they are super convenient and manageable to use when extracting oil, as you wouldn’t have to tilt or lift it. Besides, they are cost-effective.

Oil Drain Pans with Electric Pumps:

Electric oil drain pans come with built-in electric pumps that automate the oil-changing process. These electric oil drain pans with pumps make the process of oil extraction and transfer to a storage container faster. Convenient and efficient they reduce a lot of manual labor, minimizing the risk of spills as well. These electric pump oil drain pans are ideal for a professional mechanic and high-volume auto repair shops.

Portable Oil Lift Drain:

A portable oil lift drain comes with wheels and a height-adjustable mechanism that makes it easy to position under different vehicles. These drains are particularly apt for heavy-duty use, handling larger volumes of oil and frequent oil changes. They are designed in a manner to offer mobility, flexibility and efficiency.

Common Designs and Features of Oil Drain Pans

Low-profile:

Made for the types of vehicles that have a low ground clearance. The oil drain pan is perfect for sports cars and other small and compact vehicles.

Heavy-duty:

The strong material used in constructing these oil pans can withstand frequent changes and hold large volumes of oil without breaking or cracking. They are particularly well-suited for trucks and other heavy vehicles.

Spouts and Funnels:

To reduce or rather completely avoid any spillage or mess in your garage, oil drain pans with spouts and funnels are most handy. This feature makes pouring and transferring oil into a storage container very convenient.

Handles and Grips:

With handles and grips, carrying the oil drain pan around becomes very manageable and convenient.

Mistakes to Avoid When Using an Oil Drain Pan

• Performing oil changes without checking whether the oil drain pan used is of the correct capacity. You need to ensure that the oil drain pan that you’re going to use is apt for the vehicle so that it can hold all the oil.
• If you have incorrectly placed the oil drain pan below the vehicle you are performing the oil change for, you will end up with spills and a huge mess.
• If you completely neglect cleaning your oil drain pan regularly, it might run the risk of rusting or breaking.

Tips to Perform Clean and Efficient Oil Changes

• Wear disposable gloves, safety glasses and overalls
• Use paper towels or a cloth pad to clean any leakage or around your area
• Have the right set of tools needed to perform the change
• Choose the right capacity oil drain pan
• Store or dispose of the oil safely

Maintenance and Care of Oil Drain Pans

• Clean your oil drain pans regularly
• Use an effective dish soap
• Use a brush for scrubbing all the gunk and for conveniently cleaning all corners
• Wash and rinse with water thoroughly to remove all the soap
• Wipe clean and dry completely
• Store in a clean and dry place
• Don’t stack other tools or equipment on it to avoid any sort of deformation

A Few Things to Consider Before Purchasing an Oil Drain Pan

Purpose:

What do you need an oil drain for? Do you require it for your DIY needs or do you need it in a professional setup?

Pricing:

Ranges from $10 to over $100. You will need to make a smart purchase based on your requirements. Keep in mind how often you would be using it too.

Features:

Based on your requirements, check on the features that you are looking for. A high-end oil drain pan will have more features than a regular/ordinary one.

Eco-friendly:

To contribute to a safe and clean environment, you can also consider buying one that is made of recycled materials based on your needs.

Oil drain pans are essential equipment for your auto repair needs at home or in a shop. Hence, it’s important to have one as it reduces messes and spills, keeping your space clean and tidy. However, before you purchase one, make sure to check the features, the price, the material and the product reviews. Prioritize one as per your specific needs and requirements.