I get free oil changes, but am trying to do the first one myself since it's a 30 mile drive to the dealer.

Can't get the drain plug off. Which way does the plug get turned if you are laying on your back underneath the car head toward the back. I thought it was to be turned to the left (clockwise), but it's not working and I think I am very close to stripping the nut.

 

Hello, first make sure it is the engine drain pan your working on. And yes, it is removed the same as any other nut/bolt which would be counter clockwise and clockwise to tighten. I just completed my latest fluid change last night.

 

Thanks, its the oil plug. If you are looking through the front passenger side tire, it's a little past the oil filter and to the right

 

To the left is correct. To the left is COUNTER CLOCKWISE not clckwise

 

Those bozos at the dealership over torqued it and I can't get it off...now the bolt head is a little stripped, let them deal with it. I'm not taking the risk of stripping the threads on the pan. Funny, I was more worried about the oil filter being too tight than the drain bolt. Been changing oil in many cars for years and it was never so bad that I couldn't get it loose...

 

I always change my own oil. There have been times when the drain plug have been tightened too tight and todays 12 point sockets are prone to rounding the edges the drain plug if you don't have square pressure right on the bolt head. I recommend using a six point shallow socket or a six point box wrench to loosen the overtightened bolt. Once the head is sufficiently rounded, let the professionals take vise-grips to loosen it up. Then install a new drain plug and crush gasket. You only have to tighten to the extent of "one hand tight". I've never had one come loose. I always tell my daughters..."righty tightly....lefty loosey". (that is if you are facing the bolt head)

 

when car is cold, use a propane torch and heat the area around the bolt, but not the bolt itself. Might expand just enough to break it free with the above mentioned 6 point socket. use a breaker if you have one.

 

It is difficult to effectively heat the pan & not heat the plug by virtue of the oil in the pan will transfer the heat. With the engine (and pan already warm) What you could do, is freeze the plug with a shot of co2 or some liquid refrigerant or propane. That will instantly cool the plug & it will take it a long time to pick up any heat.

 

Yep, that would work too- this is all assuming that bolt is just way overtightened, and not cross threaded. Id still try to use either a 16" ratchet or small breaker bar if you don't have access to an impact.

 

This is why I always complete my own oil changes and most service as a majority of mechanics out there are marginal at best.
Sounds as if someone used an impact on your oil drain plug. Back in the day we used to sell a ton of them to Walmart, Lube N Tune, etc.
We also sold some rethread kits as well. Anyone care to guess why?

 

This car came CPO'ed, so assuming the dealer did the oil change as they were supposed to, it was them that overtightened it. Makes me think maybe they didn't do the oil change.