Does drain plug washer is really required to replace every oil change?

[nelyoung]

Those are crush washers designed to get compressed to maintain a good seal with the pan. Used ones might not seal well anymore. That's why it's prudent to just replace them every oil change.

Totally agree. it's better to spend few bucks more to avoid leakage overtime. than to drain the whole pan just to replace the faulty washer. some washers are made of copper or alu and some are with rubber lip on the inner dia. Some service shops are using a suction pump with the hose inserted on the dipstick tube down to the bottom of the pan to drain the oil.. that leaves the drain plug untouched in its place permanently.