Oil Drain Plug Torque Chart

Oil Drain Plug Torque Chart(For ALL Car Models)

Properly tightening your oil drain plug is crucial for preventing oil leaks and ensuring the health of your engine. Overtightening can damage the oil pan, while under-tightening can lead to leaks and potential engine damage.

Torque specifications refer to the amount of force applied to tighten the drain plug. It’s measured in Newton meters (Nm). Adhering to the correct torque specification ensures that the plug is secure without being over-tightened, which can strip the threads or crack the oil pan.

This torque chart provides recommended tightening specifications for a variety of vehicles.

Oil Drain Plug Torque Chart

MakerModelYearsCylindersDisplacement (L)Torque (ft-lbs)SOP Plug
ACURAILX2013-202442.0, 2.430R6
MDX2001-202463.530R6
RDX2007-20244, 62.3, 2.0, 3.530R6
TL1995-201453.2, 3.530R6
TSX2004-20144, 62.4, 3.530R6
NSX1991-202463.0, 3.2, 3.530R6
RLX2014-202463.530R6
ZDX2010-201363.730R6
TLX2015-20244, 62.0, 3.530R6
AUDIA31996-202441.8, 2.025R6
A41994-20244, 61.8, 2.0, 3.025R6
A61994-20244, 62.0, 2.8, 3.025R6
Q52008-20244, 62.0, 3.0, 3.225R6
Q72005-20246, 83.0, 3.6, 4.225R6
Q32011-202442.025R6
A81994-20246, 8, 123.0, 4.0, 4.2, 6.025R6
TT1998-202441.8, 2.025R6
BMW3 SERIES1975-20244, 62.0, 2.5, 3.028R6
5 SERIES1972-20244, 6, 82.0, 3.0, 4.428R6
X32003-20244, 62.0, 2.5, 3.028R6
X51999-20246, 83.0, 4.4, 4.828R6
7 SERIES1977-20246, 8, 123.0, 4.4, 6.028R6
X12009-202442.028R6
M31986-20244, 62.3, 3.0, 3.228R6
Z42002-20244, 62.0, 2.5, 3.028R6
BUICKENCLAVE2008-202463.624R6
LACROSSE2005-20244, 62.4, 3.0, 3.624R6
REGAL2011-202442.024R6
VERANO2012-202442.0, 2.424R6
ENVISION2016-202442.0, 2.524R6
ENCORE2013-202441.424R6
CADILLACCTS2003-20244, 62.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.618R6
ESCALADE1999-202485.3, 6.0, 6.218R6
SRX2004-20246, 82.8, 3.0, 3.6, 4.618R6
XTS2013-202463.618R6
ATS2013-20194, 62.0, 2.5, 3.618R6
XT52017-20244, 62.0, 3.618R6
CHEVROLETCAMARO2010-20244, 6, 82.0, 3.6, 6.218R6
CRUZE2011-202441.4, 1.8, 2.018R6
EQUINOX2005-20244, 62.4, 3.0, 3.618R6
MALIBU1997-20244, 62.4, 2.5, 3.5, 3.618R6
SILVERADO1999-20246, 84.3, 4.8, 5.3, 6.0, 6.218R6
TAHOE2000-202484.8, 5.3, 6.0, 6.218R6
TRAVERSE2009-202463.618R6
VOLT2011-202441.418R6
BLAZER2019-20244, 62.0, 2.5, 3.618R6
CORVETTE1953-202485.7, 6.2, 7.018R6
CHRYSLER3002005-20246, 83.6, 5.7, 6.425R6
PACIFICA2017-202463.625R6
TOWN & COUNTRY1990-201663.3, 3.6, 3.825R6
DODGECHALLENGER2008-20246, 83.6, 5.7, 6.2, 6.425R6
CHARGER2006-20246, 83.6, 5.7, 6.2, 6.425R6
DURANGO2011-20246, 83.6, 5.725R6
GRAND CARAVAN1987-20244, 62.4, 3.3, 3.8, 4.025R6
RAM 15001994-20246, 83.6, 5.7, 6.225R6
VIPER1992-2017108.0, 8.3, 8.425R6
FORDESCAPE2001-20244, 62.0, 2.3, 2.5, 3.020R6
EXPLORER1991-20244, 6, 82.0, 2.3, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.6, 5.020R6
F-1501997-20246, 82.7, 3.0, 3.3, 3.5, 4.2, 4.6, 5.0, 5.4, 5.8, 6.220R6
FOCUS2000-202442.0, 2.320R6
FUSION2006-20244, 62.3, 2.5, 3.0, 3.520R6
MUSTANG1994-20244, 6, 82.3, 3.7, 4.0, 4.6, 5.0, 5.420R6
TAURUS1986-20244, 62.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 3.720R6
EDGE2007-20244, 62.0, 2.7, 3.520R6
BRONCO1966-20244, 62.3, 2.7, 3.020R6
GMCACADIA2007-20244, 62.5, 2.7, 3.0, 3.5, 3.624R6
SIERRA1999-20246, 84.3, 4.8, 5.3, 6.0, 6.224R6
TERRAIN2010-20244, 62.4, 3.0, 3.624R6
YUKON2000-202484.8, 5.3, 6.0, 6.224R6
CANYON2004-20244, 5, 62.5, 2.8, 3.5, 3.624R6
HONDAACCORD1990-20244, 62.0, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.7, 3.0, 3.530R6
CIVIC1990-202441.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 2.030R6
CR-V1997-202442.0, 2.2, 2.430R6
FIT2007-202441.530R6
ODYSSEY1995-20244, 62.2, 2.3, 3.530R6
PILOT2003-202463.530R6
RIDGELINE2006-202463.530R6
HR-V2016-202441.8, 2.030R6
PASSPORT1994-202463.2, 3.530R6
HYUNDAIELANTRA1990-202441.6, 1.8, 2.025R6
SANTA FE2001-20244, 62.0, 2.4, 2.7, 3.3, 3.525R6
SONATA1989-20244, 62.0, 2.4, 2.5, 2.7, 3.3, 3.525R6
TUCSON2005-202442.0, 2.425R6
VELOSTER2012-202441.625R6
KONA2018-202441.6, 2.025R6
PALISADE2020-202463.825R6
INFINITIQ502014-20244, 62.0, 3.0, 3.528R6
QX602013-202463.528R6
QX802010-202485.628R6
JEEPCHEROKEE1984-20244, 62.0, 2.4, 2.5, 4.020R6
COMPASS2007-202442.0, 2.420R6
GRAND CHEROKEE1993-20244, 6, 82.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.6, 4.0, 4.7, 5.7, 6.420R6
LIBERTY2002-20124, 62.4, 3.720R6
PATRIOT2007-201742.0, 2.420R6
WRANGLER1987-20244, 6, 82.0, 2.4, 2.5, 3.6, 4.0, 4.2, 4.720R6
RENEGADE2015-202441.4, 2.420R6
KIAFORTE2010-202441.6, 2.025R6
OPTIMA2001-20244, 62.0, 2.4, 2.5, 2.725R6
SORENTO2003-20244, 62.4, 2.5, 3.3, 3.525R6
SOUL2010-202441.6, 2.025R6
SPORTAGE1995-202442.0, 2.425R6
TELLURIDE2020-202463.825R6
NIRO2017-202441.625R6
LEXUSES1989-20244, 62.5, 3.0, 3.528R6
IS1998-20244, 62.0, 2.5, 3.528R6
RX1998-202463.0, 3.3, 3.528R6
NX2015-202442.0, 2.528R6
GX2002-20246, 84.0, 4.6, 4.728R6
MAZDA32004-202442.0, 2.3, 2.530R6
62003-20244, 62.0, 2.3, 2.5, 3.0, 3.730R6
CX-52013-202442.0, 2.530R6
CX-92007-20244, 62.5, 3.530R6
MX-5 MIATA1990-202441.6, 1.8, 2.030R6
CX-32016-202442.030R6
MERCEDESC-CLASS1994-20244, 6, 81.8, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.2, 3.5, 4.0, 5.5, 6.230R6
E-CLASS1986-20244, 6, 82.0, 2.2, 2.5, 3.0, 3.2, 3.5, 4.3, 4.7, 5.0, 5.5, 6.2, 6.330R6
GLC2016-20244, 62.0, 3.030R6
S-CLASS1980-20246, 8, 122.8, 3.0, 3.2, 3.5, 4.2, 4.7, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.2, 6.3, 6.5, 7.330R6
GLE2016-20244, 6, 82.0, 3.0, 5.530R6
GLA2014-202442.030R6
NISSANALTIMA1993-20244, 62.0, 2.4, 2.5, 3.522R6
FRONTIER1998-20244, 62.4, 2.5, 2.7, 4.022R6
MAXIMA1981-202463.0, 3.522R6
MURANO2003-202463.522R6
PATHFINDER1985-20244, 62.4, 3.0, 3.3, 3.522R6
ROGUE2008-202442.522R6
SENTRA1982-202441.6, 1.8, 2.022R6
TITAN2004-202485.622R6
VERSA2007-202441.6, 1.822R6
JUKE2011-201741.622R6
SUBARUFORESTER1998-202442.0, 2.532R6
IMPREZA1993-202441.8, 2.0, 2.2, 2.532R6
LEGACY1990-20244, 62.0, 2.2, 2.5, 3.0, 3.632R6
OUTBACK1995-20244, 62.2, 2.5, 3.0, 3.632R6
WRX2002-202442.0, 2.532R6
CROSSTREK2013-202442.0, 2.532R6
TESLAMODEL 32017-2024ElectricN/A25R6
MODEL S2012-2024ElectricN/A25R6
MODEL X2015-2024ElectricN/A25R6
MODEL Y2020-2024ElectricN/A25R6
TOYOTAAVALON1995-202463.0, 3.528R6
CAMRY1983-20244, 62.0, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 3.0, 3.3, 3.528R6
COROLLA1966-202441.6, 1.8, 2.028R6
HIGHLANDER2001-20244, 62.4, 2.5, 3.0, 3.3, 3.528R6
PRIUS2001-202441.5, 1.828R6
RAV41996-202442.0, 2.4, 2.528R6
SIENNA1998-202463.0, 3.3, 3.528R6
TACOMA1995-20244, 62.4, 2.7, 3.4, 3.528R6
TUNDRA1999-20246, 83.4, 4.0, 4.6, 4.7, 5.728R6
YARIS2007-202441.528R6
4RUNNER1984-20244, 62.7, 3.4, 4.028R6
LAND CRUISER1951-20246, 84.0, 4.5, 5.728R6
VOLKSWAGENGOLF1974-20244, 51.4, 1.8, 2.0, 2.522R6
JETTA1980-20244, 5, 61.4, 1.8, 2.0, 2.5, 3.2, 3.622R6
PASSAT1973-20244, 61.8, 2.0, 2.5, 3.622R6
TIGUAN2007-202442.022R6
ATLAS2018-20244, 62.0, 3.622R6
VOLVOS602001-20244, 5, 62.0, 2.4, 2.5, 3.026R6
S801999-20244, 5, 6, 82.0, 2.5, 2.9, 3.0, 4.426R6
XC602009-20244, 5, 62.0, 2.4, 2.5, 3.026R6
XC902003-20244, 5, 6, 82.0, 2.5, 2.9, 3.0, 4.426R6
V602010-20244, 52.0, 2.526R6

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FAQs

What is the torque for an oil drain plug?

The typical torque for an oil drain plug is 20–30 ft-lb (27–40 Nm) for most passenger vehicles. However, the exact specification depends on the car make, model, engine type, and the material of the oil pan. Aluminum oil pans usually require lower torque than steel pans. Always follow the manufacturer’s specified torque to avoid leaks or thread damage.

How tight should oil drain plugs be?

An oil drain plug should be tightened to the manufacturer’s recommended torque specification, not simply “hand tight plus a turn.” In general, it should be snug enough to seal the washer or gasket without crushing it. Over-tightening can strip threads or crack the oil pan, especially on aluminum pans.

Do you need to torque down an oil drain plug?

Yes, using a torque wrench is recommended for tightening an oil drain plug. Proper torque ensures a secure seal while preventing damage to the threads or oil pan. While experienced technicians may tighten by feel, a torque wrench is the safest and most accurate method, especially for DIY oil changes.

How tight is 25 Nm torque?

A torque of 25 Nm (about 18 ft-lb) is considered moderately tight. It is firm enough to compress the drain plug washer and prevent leaks, but not so tight that it risks stripping threads on most small to mid-size engines. This torque level is common for vehicles with aluminum oil pans.

Can you over tighten an oil drain plug?

Yes, an oil drain plug can be over-tightened, which may lead to stripped threads, a damaged drain plug, or even a cracked oil pan. Over-tightening is a common mistake and can result in oil leaks or expensive repairs. If the plug spins freely or will not tighten properly, the threads may already be damaged.

What is the 20 rule for torque wrenches?

The 20 rule for torque wrenches refers to avoiding the use of a torque wrench below 20% of its maximum rated torque. For example, if a torque wrench is rated up to 150 ft-lb, it should not be used accurately below 30 ft-lb. Using a wrench outside its optimal range can lead to inaccurate torque readings.

What is the torque spec for the oil drain plug on a Honda Civic?

Most Honda Civic oil drain plugs are torqued to 29 ft-lb (39 Nm), depending on the engine and model year. Honda commonly uses aluminum oil pans, so following the correct torque spec is important to prevent thread damage. Always verify the exact specification for your specific Civic model and engine.

What do you do if the oil drain plug is tight?

If an oil drain plug is tight, use a properly sized wrench or socket and apply steady, controlled force. Avoid sudden jerks that could strip the plug. If it still will not loosen, a short extension or breaker bar can help. In severe cases, applying penetrating oil and allowing it to soak may help. If the plug is damaged or rounded, it should be replaced before reinstalling.

Final Word

Accurately tightening your oil drain plug is a vital step in maintaining your vehicle’s overall health. By adhering to the torque specifications outlined in this chart or in your vehicle’s owner’s manual, you can help prevent oil leaks, protect your engine, and ensure optimal performance.

Ryan Gary
Ryan Gary

With a solid foundation of 20 years in the mechanical industry and a Mechanical Engineering degree, Ryan Gary brings a deep understanding of automotive systems to Engine Oil Journal.
Driven by a passion for vehicles and a commitment to providing accurate information, he created this platform to empower drivers to make informed decisions about engine oil care.

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