Tech

5 Clever Finds To Make Oil Changes Easier And Mess-Free

Published

1 hour ago

26 April 2026

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When it comes to car maintenance, it can be easy to miss crucial tasks that can drastically improve the longevity of your vehicle, like routine oil changes. It comes with the mental load of choosing the right oil filter brand and risking damage to your property with an oil spill. Plus, the cost of necessary equipment and parts, like automotive jacks and creepers, can be expensive, and you may not have the space to accommodate them.

However, there are still a lot of valid reasons why you may want to still do it yourself. It’s always a good idea to develop car maintenance skills, especially if you want to be the kind of person who doesn’t need to rely on other people in an emergency.

While it’s not always the most cost-effective way of doing things, if you decide to take the DIY route, we’ve made a step-by-step guide that you can follow. That said, what you lack in skill, you may be able to make up for with the right tools. Through some strategic shopping, you can avoid some common oil change issues. To help you, we’ve taken note of some clever finds that people swear by. We also let you know our methodology for how we’ve narrowed down our selection and why we chose them at the end.

TEC Products FlexAll Long Flexible Funnels

The first thing you’ll need for an oil change, is a way to get the oil into the engine, and that starts with a funnel like the TEC Products FlexAll Long Flexible Funnels. Available in two sizes (small and large) its prices range between $24.99 to $34.99. If you’re not sure what size to get, it’s important to reflect on whether you need high volume or want the compactness for tighter spaces.

When not stretched out, the small model measures 12 inches in length with a 4-inch cone and spout that is 0.53 inches. On the other hand, the large option is 16 inches in length with a significantly wider 5.3-inch cone mouth and 0.71-inch spout. You can also trim the outlet to your desired size.

Made for heavy-duty automotive use, you can safely use it for all kinds of automotive liquids from oil, ethylene glycol-based antifreeze, and hydraulic fluid. Since it’s made of nitrile rubber, it can be cleaned with just warm soapy water after every use.

Listed as an Amazon’s Choice Product, more than 1,400 people rated it around 4.6 stars. A Made in the USA product, 72% of users rated it a perfect rating with most people saying it meets expectations. But while only 3% thought it was 1-star material, there were some disappointed customers who commented that it melted in the heat, was too thin, and the wind blows it away too easily.

WORKPRO Oil Filter Wrench

To help you grip your automotive oil filters more effectively, the WORKPRO Oil Filter wrench set is for you. If you just want the 12-inch model, it retails for $13.05. But if you want the set that includes both the 9-inch and 12-inch models, you’ll only need to shell out $17.99 for both. If you’re wondering which option to get, the 9-inch variant has a jaw capacity between 1-3/4 -inches to 3 inches, while the 12-inch model can fit 2-½-inch to 3-¾-inch. Either way, both sizes are made of heat-treated carbon steel with a soft grip handle.

In general, WORKPRO is known to be a pretty reliable brand when it comes to hand tools. In fact, we’ve recommended everything from its pliers sets to big mechanics tool sets. Knowing this, it’s unsurprising that this particular oil filter wrench offers also fares pretty well with an average rating of 4.6 stars from 1,700+ Amazon customers.

An Amazons’ Choice product, an impressive 77% of users thought it was worth giving a perfect rating. In general, people think that it grips well and a good alternative to strap wrenches. But take note, the 4% of buyers who were unhappy enough to rate it a single star said it had problems with rusting, not locking, and slipping.

Drymate Oil Spill Mat

Made to prevent all sorts of liquids from staining your garage floors, the Drymate Oil Spill Mat is made of 2 layers. First, it has a polyester fabric that absorbs any oil, brake fluid, or coolant that falls on it. Second, it has a slip-resistant backing, which it’s soft enough that you can lie on top of it if you need to get to work on your car. As for regular maintenance, you can use soap and water to clean any residue off and simply hang it to dry. While there are hundreds of cheaper products out there, this one is made for those patriotic environmentalists, because it’s both Made in the USA and built with recycled fibers.

With prices that start at $15.99, it comes in different sizes and even has versions made to be garage floor runners and mats. For the 36-inch by 59-inch XL mats, you can get a pair for $39.99 (around $20 each) or a dozen for $199.99 (around $16.70 per unit). It can also be cut to fit your preferred sizes. Apart from being an Amazon’s Choice product, the oil spill mats have collectively been both a highly rated and popular product. As of April 2026, more than 7,000 people have rated it 4.5 stars on average.

Capri Tools Portable Oil Drain Pan

Available in two colors (black and green), the price for the Capri Tools Portable Oil Drain Pans starts at just under $29.99. With a capacity of 4.5 gallons, the polyethylene drain pan has features like an anti-splash lip and molded handle. Measuring 23 inches by 29 inches by 6 inches, it has a 1-inch diameter spout that can be used to prevent accidental spills. it’s also stackable and weighs just 2.5 pounds, so you can easily store a few of them in your garage. Or you can use the front hole to hang it up.

Aside from being an Amazon’s Choice product, it has an impressive ratio in terms of satisfied customers. So far, over 2,500+ Amazon buyers have rated it 4.8 stars on average with a whopping 88% giving it a perfect 5-star rating. In general, people often praise its user-friendly design and capacity.

Among satisfied reviewers, some mentioned that it works great for large oil changes, such as trucks. Others shared that the product works for years with no problems. Perhaps it’s even more impressive is not a single user has rated it 1-star. Although some 3-star reviews note that it doesn’t pour as cleanly when it’s too full and doesn’t let you put the old filter in the pan. Alternatively, if you don’t really need the large capacity, Capri Tools also offers a 2 Gallon model for $24.99.

EWK Vacuum Oil Extractor Pump

For people who don’t want to crawl under their cars anymore, the EWK Vacuum Oil Extractor Pump helps you avoid having to jack up your car, as well the risks of getting oil stains on your new shirt by skipping risky part of transferring the oil from your pan. It comes with a 6L oil container, hose set, pump handle, sealing cap, and pour spout. Apart from its 59-inch clear hose, it also has a 42-inch flexible metal probe. While it’s not meant for fluids hotter than 175°F, you can use it for other kinds of liquids, like coolant and power steering fluids. It’s also fit for other vehicles, like boats, jet skis, motorcycles, and even lawnmowers.

Priced at $49.99, the EWK Vacuum Oil Extractor Pump has generated an average rating of 4.5 stars from more than 1,500 Amazon customers. An Amazon’s Choice product, around 79% of users rated it a perfect 5 stars with many saying it was simple to use, affordable, and multi-purpose, since you can use it for other vehicles apart from your car. Among satisfied customers, they mentioned that it works well with correcting over-filling.” Although, there a few peppered complaints with 6% of users rating it a single star, such as people wishing the reservoir had a cap, issues with vinyl flaking, and concerns about durability.

Methodology

We scoured the internet to find products that address different issues that we all tend to encounter during the oil change process. In particular, we looked for options that helped make the process more efficient and to reduce the expected clean up afterwards. Next, we chose products that have been rated at least 4.5 stars by more than a thousand users. Then, we made sure to only include tools that more than 70% have given a perfect rating and less than 10% rating it a single star.

Lastly, we mentioned specific issues that people have raised, so you can manage your expectations regarding their performance. While it didn’t impact their inclusion on this list, we also shared if the product was listed as made in the USA, which may matter to people who want to support local products. We also took note if they’ve been tagged as Amazon’s Choice products.

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Tech

What Is The 90-Minute Rule For Concrete?

Published

4 minutes ago

26 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Large construction site, cement mixer and cranes

Ollo/Getty Images

Mixing concrete for industrial purposes often requires heavy machinery. Specifically designed trucks are used to prepare the mixture, the volume of which is determined by a calculator. It is then poured to lay everything from a city sidewalk to a residential driveway. But there’s more to the process, as workers often follow the 90-minute rule, which means that prepared concrete must be emptied from the mixing truck within 90 minutes after mixing begins.

The reason for this is due to how the mix behaves over time. A concrete mix is kept fresh with a consistent texture thanks to the spinning cement truck. The truck does its job by preparing the concrete to be poured, and once it’s ready, the operator can release it accordingly. But after the 90-minute window closes, the mix isn’t what it used to be and if poured after the fact, there’s no guarantee it will set properly.

The 90-minute mix time keeps the cement loose, and easily workable, as the hydration process takes place. Without that process, the cement would become less fluid and eventually it could get firm, essentially “setting” in the truck’s mixer. However, temperature fluctuations can also cause the same effect. Moisture loss is another problem for the mixer’s contents, as it can directly affect how easily the concrete is poured. In the end, the longer the mix is in the truck, the more challenging everything becomes.

Concrete timing is more flexible than it used to be

Preparation of concrete mix in a concrete mixer

Grant Giulumian/Getty Images

The 90-minute rule regarding the mixing of concrete has been in place since around the 1930s. It is a long-standing guideline set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). In fact, ASTM C94 governs ready-mix concrete standards used throughout the United States in construction projects. The rule has been well established over time thanks to both building codes and state highway associations. It was originally based on older production methods, as well as shorter transportation distances overall.

But the 90-minute rule isn’t as rigid as it was once. That’s because today’s standards allow for more flexibility based on the actual condition of the concrete at the time of placement. As of this writing, updated ASTM guidance no longer enforces a strict time limit. Any adjustments are instead allowed during transportation or at the job site itself. As long as the concrete meets its required expectations, workers can safely pour and it should be effective.

Because of this different approach, and due to preexisting standards under ASTM C94, the 90-minute rule is mostly connected to ready-mixed concrete instead of hand mixing. So even if you’re using a portable mixer or doing it yourself by hand, there’s no real hard and fast rule like the truck delivery standard. Of course, wet concrete mix shouldn’t remain in a holding state for long as it will eventually begin to harden.

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Tech

Discord users breach access controls to reach Anthropic’s Mythos model

Published

18 minutes ago

26 April 2026

NewsAdmin

A recent security incident involving Anthropic has highlighted just how fragile the safeguards around advanced AI systems can be. A Wired report suggests that a small group of users, operating through private Discord channels, managed to gain unauthorized access to the company’s highly restricted Mythos AI model – an experimental system designed for cybersecurity applications.

A Breach That Exposes Bigger Risks Around AI Control

The incident appears to have occurred almost immediately after Mythos was made available to a limited group of trusted partners. According to multiple reports, the unauthorized users gained access through a third-party vendor environment, rather than directly breaching Anthropic’s core systems.

Some accounts suggest that members of a private Discord community were able to exploit access permissions or identify entry points using publicly exposed information, effectively bypassing restrictions placed on the model.

Importantly, there is no confirmed evidence that the system was used for malicious activity. In fact, reports indicate that the users interacted with the model in relatively limited ways. Still, the fact that access was obtained at all is the real story.

Mythos itself is not just another AI model. It is designed to identify vulnerabilities in software systems and simulate cyberattacks – making it one of the most sensitive AI tools currently under development. That dual-use capability is precisely why access was tightly restricted in the first place.

Why This Incident Matters Beyond One Breach

At a glance, this might seem like a contained security lapse. In reality, it underscores a broader issue facing the AI industry: control is becoming harder than capability.

AI models like Mythos are built to find weaknesses in systems, which means that in the wrong hands, they could accelerate cyberattacks rather than prevent them. Researchers and officials have already warned that such tools could pose significant risks if misused, given their ability to automate complex attack chains.

What makes this case particularly notable is how the breach happened. It wasn’t a sophisticated hack targeting core infrastructure. Instead, it appears to have leveraged gaps in the surrounding ecosystem—contractors, permissions, and access management.

That distinction matters. It suggests that securing advanced AI isn’t just about the model itself, but the entire environment around it.

Why It Should Matter To You

For everyday users, this incident may feel distant, but its implications are closer than they seem.

AI systems like Mythos are being developed to secure everything from browsers to financial systems. If those same tools are exposed prematurely or improperly controlled, the risk shifts from defensive to potentially offensive.

Even without malicious intent, unauthorized access introduces uncertainty. It raises questions about how well companies can protect technologies that are increasingly critical to digital infrastructure.

In simpler terms, if AI is being built to protect the internet, it needs to be protected first.

What Happens Next For Anthropic And AI Security

Anthropic has already launched an investigation into the incident and has stated that the breach was limited to a third-party environment, with no evidence of broader system compromise.

However, the timing of the breach – coinciding with the model’s early rollout – will likely intensify scrutiny around how such systems are tested and shared. Regulators and industry bodies are already paying close attention to high-risk AI models, and incidents like this only add urgency to those discussions.

Going forward, expect stricter access controls, tighter vendor oversight, and potentially new frameworks for handling sensitive AI tools. Because if this episode proves anything, it’s that the challenge is no longer just building powerful AI – it’s keeping it contained.

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Tech

Battlefield movie reportedly in the works with Christopher McQuarrie and Michael B. Jordan

Published

32 minutes ago

26 April 2026

NewsAdmin

According to The Hollywood Reporter, producer Christopher McQuarrie and collaborators pitched a feature film adaptation of EA’s Battlefield series to studios and streaming services this week. McQuarrie is expected to write, direct, and produce the project, while Oscar-winning actor Michael B. Jordan (Sinners) is reportedly in talks to produce and…
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Tech

Where Apple products are assembled, and where parts come from

Published

47 minutes ago

26 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Making an iPhone or iPad is a global effort, with companies across North America, Europe, and Asia contributing to every stage of the process. Here’s how it all fits into place.

Earth viewed from space with various Apple products floating above Asia, including iPhones, AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, and an M5 processor chip.

Apple products are assembled in multiple countries.

Apple relies on multiple supply chain partners, with assembly plants located throughout the world. The United States’ ever-changing tariff policies throughout 2025 affected everyone, from consumers to corporations. It made us more aware of where a given product was made.
While the average person had to figure out the extra fees they had to pay for orders from China, Apple had to find ways of diversifying its already complex supply chain.
Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Tech

This Galaxy Z Fold 7 deal knocks $400 off Samsung’s super-thin foldable

Published

1 hour ago

26 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Foldable phones have spent years asking you to accept tradeoffs, but the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the clearest sign yet that the category has finally grown up and stopped apologising for itself.

That confidence is well-timed, because the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is currently down from $1,999.99 to $1,599.99 at Amazon, saving you $400 on one of the most fully realised foldables Samsung has built.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5on a blue background