>
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > On 10/11/07 5:34 AM, in article
> > > > HaGdnThQC9CwYZDanZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@nethere.com, "Daniel W. Rouse Jr."
> > > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > >>
> > > > >> I'm going to follow BadGolferMan's lead, and start
> > > > >> changing my own oil.
> > > > >>
> > > > >
> > > > > [snip...]
> > > > >
> > > > >> Use the correct size wrench to loosen (turn counter-clockwise) the
> oil
> > > > >> drain plug. Use a shop rag to protect your hand from the hot oil. > Keep
> > > > >> a steady inward pressure on the plug to avoid the hot oil from > running
> > > > >> down your arm. If oil seems too hot to touch, allow the oil to > cool.
> > > > >>
> > > > > From which reference point is this counter-clockwise direction > > > referenced?
> > > > > Facing the front of the car, or facing the rear of the car (when
> > > underneath
> > > > > the car)?
> > > > >
> > > > > It may seem like an obvious question, but no oil change manual or
> > > > > instruction set I have seen ever actually qualifies this. It seems
> > > > > important, though, because turning counter-clockwise from the wrong
> > > > > reference point would actually be turning more clockwise. > > > > >
> > > > > [snip...]
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > That's just silly. The reference point is facing the head of the > bolt.
> > > >
> > >
> > > I don't think it is silly, here's why.
> > >
> > > If I put the car on ramps and then go under the car, I can have my legs
> > > pointed facing the front or the rear of the vehicle. Looking up and > applying
> > > a socket to the bolt... it's going to make a difference from which > reference
> > > point is the counter-clockwise direction.
> > >
> > > Similarly, if I could get the car high enough on a hydraulic lift so > that I
> > > could stand under it, I could look up at the head of the bolt facing the
> > > front or the rear of the vehicle.
> > >
> > > That's why I asked. The above response failed to sufficiently answer the
> > > question.
> > >
> > > So, is the reference point facing the head of the bolt and facing the > front
> > > of the vehicle? Or facing head of the bolt and facing the rear of the > > > vehicle?
> >
> > Are you trolling? If you don't know the difference between clockwise and
> > counterclockwise, take your car to jiffy lube. You can lie under the car
> > with your legs sticking out in any direction you want, clockwise is
> > still the same direction. Seriously. Try it.
>
> No, I am not trolling.
>
> Several responses that did answer the question without any sort of smart
> remark whatsoever referred to the possibility of left handed threads, that
> is why I was asking. I don't want to turn the bolt what seems to be
> logically counter-clockwise (i.e., towards the left when facing front or
> towards the right when facing rear) and end up snapping off the bolt due to
> over torquing it.
>
For further clarification, replace "left" with driver's side and "right" with passenger side, as the wrench rotation of "conter-clockwise" will always be a left rotation.