Oil Drain Plug Sizes by Vehicle Make - Complete Guide
Complete guide to oil drain plug sizes for Honda, Toyota, Ford, GM, Nissan and more. Includes 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 17mm socket sizes, torque specs, and stripped plug solutions.
The oil drain plug is one of the most frequently removed fasteners on any vehicle, yet the wrong socket size can strip the plug head, chew up the pan threads, and turn a 20-minute oil change into a costly repair. Knowing the correct oil drain plug size for your make and model keeps removal and reinstallation secure and protects your engine’s oil system. This guide covers drain plug sizes and torque specs across all the major manufacturers so you can grab the right tool the first time.
Common oil drain plug sizes
The five sizes that cover the vast majority of vehicles on the road.
| Size | Applies to |
|---|---|
| 13mm | Common on Honda, Acura (older models) |
| 14mm | Toyota, Nissan (Altima and others), Mazda (most common Asian size) |
| 15mm | Ford, GM trucks, some European vehicles |
| 17mm | Honda CR-V, Accord (2006+), some BMW models |
| 19mm | Chrysler, Dodge, some RAM trucks |
Those five cover most cars, but some vehicles use square plugs, Torx heads, or specialized designs — so confirm against your specific make below (or look up your exact vehicle) before you reach for a socket.
Oil drain plug size and torque by make
Sizes, torque specs and crush-washer notes for the major manufacturers, gathered in one place.
| Make | Drain plug size | Torque spec | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota | 14mm | 27–30 ft-lbs | Camry, Corolla, RAV4, Tacoma, 4Runner. Replace the aluminum crush washer every change. |
| Honda & Acura | 17mm (since 2006) | 29–33 ft-lbs | Civic, Accord, CR-V, Pilot; Acura follows Honda. New aluminum washer (part #94109-14000) each change. |
| Ford (trucks / SUVs) | 15mm | 18–22 ft-lbs | F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Escape. Use a new crush washer each change. |
| Ford (smaller cars) | 13mm | 20–25 ft-lbs | Focus, Fiesta. Use a new crush washer each change. |
| Chevrolet / GM (trucks & performance) | 15mm | 18–20 ft-lbs | Silverado, Sierra, Corvette, Camaro, Malibu. Plastic-pan models need lower torque — check the manual. |
| Chevrolet / GM (Cruze) | 13mm | 18–20 ft-lbs | Cruze uses 13mm. Same plastic-pan caution applies to some GM models. |
| Nissan | 14mm | 22–29 ft-lbs | Altima, Sentra, Rogue, Frontier, Titan. Requires a new copper or aluminum crush washer each change. |
Why oil drain plug size matters
A frequently overlooked fastener that punishes the wrong tool.
Because the drain plug comes out at every oil change, it is easy to treat casually — but an incorrect socket size strips the plug head, damages the oil pan threads, and causes leaks that end in expensive repairs. Common sizes are 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 17mm and 19mm, though some vehicles use square plugs, Torx heads or specialized designs. Proper sizing ensures secure removal and reinstallation while protecting your engine’s oil system. Not sure what you’re looking at? Our guide to measuring bolts and fasteners walks through sizing any fastener head.
Toyota oil drain plug sizes
14mm across the lineup, with a new aluminum washer every time.
Toyota uses 14mm oil drain plugs across its lineup. Common models including the Camry, Corolla, RAV4, Tacoma and 4Runner all feature 14mm drain plugs with a standard torque specification of 27–30 ft-lbs. When servicing Toyota vehicles, always replace the aluminum crush washer with a new one during each oil change to prevent leaks and ensure a proper seal. This simple step extends the life of your drain plug and prevents oil seepage.
Honda & Acura oil drain plug sizes
Standardized on 17mm since 2006 — and Honda wants a specific washer.
Honda vehicles have standardized on 17mm oil drain plugs across most models since 2006, including the Civic, Accord, CR-V and Pilot. Acura models follow Honda specifications. The recommended torque specification is 29–33 ft-lbs, and Honda requires a new aluminum washer (part #94109-14000) with each oil change to prevent leaks. Always replace the washer rather than reusing it, as the aluminum crushes to create a proper seal.
Ford oil drain plug sizes
15mm on trucks and SUVs, 13mm on the small cars.
Ford’s truck and SUV lineup predominantly uses 15mm oil drain plugs, including the F-150, Mustang, Explorer and Escape. Smaller vehicles like the Focus and Fiesta use 13mm plugs. Torque specifications vary by vehicle type: trucks and SUVs require 18–22 ft-lbs, while cars require 20–25 ft-lbs. Ford recommends using a new crush washer with each oil change to ensure a proper seal.
Chevrolet & GM oil drain plug sizes
Varies by platform — and watch out for plastic pans.
General Motors vehicles show variation by platform. Trucks like the Silverado and Sierra, along with performance vehicles like the Corvette and Camaro, use 15mm plugs. Smaller vehicles like the Cruze use 13mm, while the Malibu uses 15mm. Standard torque specification is 18–20 ft-lbs.
Nissan oil drain plug sizes
14mm lineup-wide, copper or aluminum washer.
Nissan has standardized on 14mm oil drain plugs across most of its lineup, including the Altima, Sentra, Rogue, Frontier and Titan. The recommended torque specification is 22–29 ft-lbs, and Nissan requires either a copper or aluminum crush washer with each oil change. Like other manufacturers, the washer should be replaced rather than reused, as it crushes to create a proper seal and prevent oil leaks.
Pro tips for oil changes
Five habits that keep the drain plug and pan happy for the life of the car.
- Always use a 6-point socket. Better grip, far less chance of rounding the plug head.
- Replace crush washers. Prevents leaks and costs only $1–2.
- Don’t overtighten. Follow the torque spec to avoid stripping threads.
- Inspect the threads. Check for damage before reinstalling.
- Use the correct oil viscosity. Check your owner’s manual.
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Oil drain plug & crush-washer assortment
An assorted drain-plug and crush-washer kit gives you the right replacement plug and a new washer on hand for the 13mm/14mm/15mm/17mm sizes that cover most vehicles — so a stripped or leaking plug never stops an oil change.
Stripped oil drain plug solutions
Options when the plug or pan threads have already given up.
If you encounter a stripped oil drain plug, several solutions are available. Oversized drain plugs (one size larger) can be installed if the pan allows. HeliCoil thread repair kits provide a permanent solution by installing a threaded insert into the damaged hole. Fumoto valves offer a quick-disconnect solution that eliminates the need to remove the plug entirely during oil changes. Note that aluminum oil pans often require professional repair, as they are more prone to thread damage and may need to be replaced if severely stripped.
Frequently asked questions
What size socket do I need for an oil drain plug?
For most vehicles it’s a 14mm (Toyota, Nissan, Mazda), 17mm (Honda/Acura since 2006), or 15mm (Ford and GM trucks). A few use 13mm or 19mm. Match the socket exactly and use a 6-point so you don’t round the head.
Do I really need to replace the crush washer every oil change?
Yes. The washer is designed to crush and form the seal, so reusing it invites leaks and tempts you to over-torque to compensate. A fresh copper or aluminum washer costs about $1–2 and is cheap insurance. Honda even specifies a part number (#94109-14000).
What torque should I use on an oil drain plug?
It depends on the make: Toyota is 27–30 ft-lbs, Honda/Acura 29–33, Ford 18–25 depending on vehicle, GM 18–20, and Nissan 22–29. Always defer to your owner’s manual, and go lower on plastic or aluminum pans to avoid cracking or stripping.
How do I fix a stripped oil drain plug?
Try an oversized (one-size-larger) plug if the pan allows, install a HeliCoil threaded insert for a permanent repair, or fit a Fumoto quick-disconnect valve. Severely stripped aluminum pans often need professional repair or replacement.
Keep going
Bottom line: match the socket to your make — 14mm for most Asian cars, 17mm for Honda/Acura since 2006, 15mm for Ford and GM trucks — use a 6-point socket, fit a fresh crush washer, and torque to the manufacturer’s figure (going lower on plastic or aluminum pans). Get those four things right and the drain plug stays leak-free for the life of the car.