For changing your own oil, some type of drain pan is a must. I previously had another version (bought at Walmart) that was just a catch basin; it caught the oil but then had to be poured into a container to be dumped at my local autoparts store. That basin got lost during a move, so instead of rebuying the same one, I decided to give this one a try. After using it during several oil changes, there are some things I like, and some other things I think could be improved.
Pros:
-Most of the oil drains inside the container, so there is less likelihood of splashing around and spilling if you need to reposition it once the flow starts lightening.
-It functions both as a catch basin and as a temporary spent oil storage container.
Cons:
-The design could be really improved by one minor thing, and I can't believe the designers didn't think of it (or chose not to do it): adding some kind of lid to protect the oily side from coming into contact with anything when it's not in use (and in storage). With the current open design, I have to use paper towels to scrape the remainder of the oil that sits on the bases of the pan into the drainage hole, and then I have to wipe down that side really well so that oil doesn't drip if I stand it up on it's side (or if something accidentally comes into contact with it).
Overall, it works exactly how it was designed, but that design could really use some improvement. The catch basin could have a steeper slope to encourage more oil to drain into the hole without assistance, it could use a cover to protect the oily side of the pan/prevent oil drips. And, if the bottom had a little bit of a lip so that when the container is standing upright, the excess doesn't slowly drip down to the ground (the reason why you need to wipe it down unless you store it laying down. It's not a bad product, and I guess for $10 I can't expect an ingenious design, but with some minor changes, this really could have been a 5 star product. Please consider leaving me feedback below if you found this review helpful.
| Manufacturer | FloTool |
|---|---|
| Brand | Hopkins |
| Model | 42003MI |
| Item Weight | 2.5 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 17.25 x 20 x 6 inches |
| Country of Origin | USA |
| Item model number | 42003MI |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 42003MI |
