What do you do with old oil?

[summers3d]

I have never changed my own oil (I've only owned the car for about 8 months) partly because I don't know what to do with all the old oil. What do you do with it? Are there places where you can take it and empty it or do you have to leave the container? Also, what kind of container do you drain it into and transport it in? Thanks for your help,
-David

[asgi99]

You can recycle at some Kragens.

[larry47us]

There are many auto supply stores that will take used oil back. In the Chicago area, I use Murray's. I drain the oil into a big yellow 15 quart drain bucket (with a spout), and pour it into a 5 gallon gas can.

Take the gas can to Murrays along with the old oil filter. Viola, environmentally safe.

larry

[928ram]

I've always taken to the local wal-mart, they've never given me a hassle about taking it.

[rick-l]

Auto zone and Advance auto take it
The filling station down at the corner takes it
I think all jiffy lube places take it for free also.

It has some value

They have you dump it in a big tank and take your container home with you.

I buy oil in the 5 quart containers so that is what I take it back in.

Milk cartons also work but dump it before a year has elapsed. Ask me how I know this time limit.

[Bill in OKC]

Somebody told me that stores that sell oil must be able to recycle old oil... I don't know if its true but I've used Pep Boys, Auto Zone, O'Reilly's, Wal Mart and one of those Valvoline quick lube places took my old oil too.

[summers3d]

Good to know. What kind of container do you drain into? How do you transfer it?
-David

[Bill in OKC]

I bought a new drain pan from O'Reilly's auto parts since this car holds 12 quarts - I think the pan holds ?16? quarts - it is enough, it is a big round thing made of black plastic, it is oil-tight when the plugs are screwed in with a spout on one side for pouring the old oil out again. I've seen them at Auto Zone as well. I just put the thing in the back of my truck and take it to PepBoys.

[Ken911]

Kills weeds in the drive way!! Oh wait the local recycling center takes it also. one gallon plastic milk jugs work well but make sure it's cooled off before you pour it out of the bucket into the jugs. just take them down and pour it out the toss the jugs in the trash.they are plastic don't absorb the oil so they are not considered oily waste like oil soaked rags would be.

[alf]

I got one of those big black plastic oil collector things. First time i used it the oil flowed so fast the hole in the middle was not able to take it in in time

Took a drill and put a whole bunch of holes in it to aid flow. After oil change dump the oil into another container to transport to Schucks (our version of Kragen).

Summer,
When you change your oil for the first time spread cardboard and newspaper everywhere. 11 quarts of hot black oil will gush out in about 15 seconds and you better have something to contain it.

[Todd Simpson]

I use an old plastic kitty litter pail, the largest one you can buy. The lid seals well enough for the short trip to Pep-Boys and there's enough capacity for a few changes. Sometimes I dump it in their container, other times I just leave the whole thing there. You have to sign a form with your address as well.

[Joe Bob]

Ya used to be able to use oil buring heaters in COLD states. Can't do that anymore. The nasty additives make it toxic.

Old oil CAN be recycled. It's just takes a little more time.....

[K. Roman]

I use a 5 gallon plastic paint bucket with a good lid. Change that oil!

[randywebb]

Won't the recycler in Sacramento pick it up? You might call them.

As several noted above, almost any service station will take it - esp. if they know you buy gas there. Or a shop, or Walmart...

[efhughes3]

I cringe to think of what my Dad did back in the 60's.

[fireant911]

I would take the used oil back to the place I bought the new. I always have to pay a recycling fee everytime I purchase oil so since you have already paid for this service it is their responsibility to provide it. Many of the 'Quik-Stop' oil change shops encourage non-customers to bring their used oil to their facility since they do sell this for profit.

[Shuie]

walmart

[Dantilla]

It kills weeds!
It controls mosquitoes!
It keeps dust from blowing!

Do your neighbor a favor and dump it on his property!

[pyro57]

In Kalifornia anyone who sells oil must take old oil it's da lawww.

Wal Mart allways takes my 5 gals. at a time and they never say a thing.

[tsuter]

Waste oil burning heaters are allowed here. My neighbor has one. I just gave him 10 quarts. It has to be inspected every three years by the state. He is also a Chrysler dealer and has one at his store and they heat all winter on waste oil.