How to choose a Fumoto valve for your vehicle?
Are you struggling to choose the best valve for your vehicle? We offer various styles for each thread size to ensure a perfect fit for your specific application. While vehicle requirements and personal preferences differ, here are a few key points everyone should keep in mind.
Where is your drain plug located?
Check underneath your vehicle to identify the position of your drain plug. We recommend verifying whether the plug:
- Has sufficient ground clearance.
- Is located on the bottom (belly), side, or slope of the oil pan.
- Is recessed or has obstructions surrounding the oil drain port.
Low Ground Clearance
If your vehicle has low ground clearance and the installed valve will be exposed to the road without a protective cover or skid plate, you should consider not installing the valve. We want to ensure there is no risk of the valve striking road debris, which could cause damage to your engine.
Location: Bottom (Belly)
If the drain plug is located at the bottom of the oil pan, a hose may be unnecessary for draining the oil. In this case, our Standard Valve may be the best option to minimize the valve’s profile and exposure. Because the Standard Valve does not have a nipple for hose attachment, you simply drain the oil directly into a container (as shown below).
Location: On a side or Slope
If the drain plug is located on the side or a slope of the oil pan, or if the vehicle has high ground clearance, you may prefer using a hose to direct the oil flow. In these cases, please consider selecting a valve with an integrated nipple.
When the valve is not in use, you can remove the hose and socket attachment to minimize its profile.
If the valve is located on the side of the oil pan, you can attach an elbow socket to the nipple to drain the oil straight down (as shown below).
We also offer N-Type (long-nipple) valves, which can firmly hold a hose without the need for a plastic socket. These valves have a larger profile due to the additional nipple length, so please ensure your valve is not at risk of striking road debris or other objects (as shown below).
Recession
What if the oil pan has a recessed port that prevents the valve from being rotated or installed? There are two solutions: use an extension adapter or our SX-Series valve (as shown below).
An extension adapter moves the valve away from a recessed port, allowing it to be rotated and installed properly. Alternatively, you may prefer our SX-Series valves, which are designed to fit in tight spaces without the need for an extension adapter (as shown below).
The SX-Series valve features a body separate from the through-bolt; this allows the valve to be installed without needing to rotate the body to screw it in (as shown below).
Due to specific recessed designs, such as the one pictured above, the SX-Series valve may only be able to point downward. In these instances, please check whether the valve has sufficient ground clearance. If it sits too low, use an extension adapter to move the valve away from the recessed area, allowing it to be positioned away from the ground.
Please note that recessed ports can be quite complex. Take extra time to investigate your oil pan’s shape before deciding which Fumoto valve to purchase.
Always prioritize safety. Ensure that your valve is installed in a secure location and do not install it if it remains exposed or hangs too close to the road.
Happy oil changes!
(Suggested article to read: What are the types of Fumoto valves available?)