Doing your own oil changes is a pretty gratifying task for the home mechanic. But one of the few drawbacks of the job, is that it can get messy—especially if you position your pan incorrectly or the drain reservoir gets clogged as it fills up.
The end result is usually old oil flooding down your driveway.
That’s why we’re such big fans of this Summit Racing Oil Change Mat.
(Image/OnAllCylinders)
This absorbent mat will catch all those spills and splatters to keep your driveway nice and clean. And at roughly 4.5 x 3 feet, it’s plenty big enough to cover the oil drain and the filter location under the engine in most vehicles.
The top side of the mat is a gentle fabric-like material that’s way more comfy than abrasive concrete. And the mat offers a bit more padding than a layer of cardboard too—something your back, knees, and elbows will appreciate.
On the backside is a non-permeable protective layer that prevents any oil from seeping through. In fact, you can collect any spilled oil within the mat, and use the folds to channel it back into your drain pan for easy disposal.
(Image/OnAllCylinders)
Better still, it’s washable and reusable.
In fact, the OnAllCylinders shop has used the same oil change mat for several years and it doesn’t show any significant signs of wear or fatigue. An occasional quick splash-down with a garden hose keeps it clean.
Then you simply fold the mat back up into an easy-to-store square and it’s ready for the next job.
For us, motorcycle oil changes tend to be rainy day jobs done in the garage, so this mat isn’t just helpful in the driveway. (Image/OnAllCylinders)
And speaking of next jobs, this mat isn’t just handy for oil changes.
We’ve used it for pretty much any work that requires us to slip under the vehicle, work on our knees, or catch any falling grit or debris—chassis lubrication, brake jobs, and beyond.
(Image/OnAllCylinders)
All told, if you’re a DIY’er who could use a bit more comfort while working on your vehicle—and want to prevent any goop, muck, or chemicals from turning your driveway into a Jackson Pollock painting—then a Summit Racing oil change mat is a great addition to your home garage.
Click the part number below to see pricing and availability.
It’s equally helpful if you need to set greasy tools down too. (Image/OnAllCylinders)
