Probably one of the easiest jobs for any home mechanic, and the recommended starter job for a newbie, is changing the oil on your vehicle. However, this does require renewing the oil filter and as any mechanic knows, the oil filter tightens in use, even if it is only hand-tight when replaced. You definitely need the proper tool for removing them. Trying to make do with unsuitable tools is a time-consuming and frustrating business, and often you damage the filter so you can’t then drive to buy a proper tool.
When deciding on the tool, one should consider that you will often be working in a confined space and the tool needs to be able to cope with a rounded head on a filter. Don’t worry if the tool will damage the filter – you’re only going to throw it away. You should never use a wrench to replace an oil filter. Just put a dab of oil on the rubber seal and hand tighten it. Be careful not to over-tighten it. You could damage the threads on the filter or cause it to leak in some other way and it could be a bear to remove when replacement time comes around again… It is designed to work properly just from hand-tightening.
What Type of Wrench?
What sort of wrench should you buy? Well, there are the following types of wrench available for the job:
• Oil filter pliers
• Cap type oil filter wrenches
• Oil filter strap wrenches.
• Oil filter chain wrenches.
• Three-prong or other type universal oil filter wrenches.
Oil filter pliers work well and are probably the most versatile, being able to open wide to grip large bottle caps or pipes. However they can be a problem in a restricted space and it can be difficult to get enough leverage to loosen a really stubborn filter. You can get a good pair in the region of $10
Cap type oil filter wrenches also work well but can’t be used for anything else. The can be used in a restricted space because you can use an extension on your 3/8” ratchet drive handle. However they may not fit all filters suitable for your vehicle and you may end up buying a range of them Expect to pay $32 for a set.
Oil filter strap and chain wrenches are very similar in operation. The strap is less likely to damage the filter and the chain grips better. You may also be able to find other uses for them, such as opening bottles. They are difficult to use in a restricted space, so for me this would rule them out. They also may not give enough leverage and one wouldn’t have space for an extension handle for extra leverage to remove a really tight oil filter
The universal oil filter wrenches of the 3-prong type can work well, as can the Lisle type. The 3-prong may not have long enough prongs to grip properly on a filter with a rounded head, but you can always dent the filter to allow the tool to grip. After all, damage doesn’t matter. However they can be quite difficult to use as you need two hands, 1 to hold them in place and the other to loosen. For this reason the Lisle type is preferable, as it is spring loaded and can easily be operated 1-handed. However, the three- prong type can fit a wider range of filter sizes, whereas you would need 2 Lisles to achieve this, although the smaller one would be suitable for most standard oil filters in the 2 ½” to 3 1/8” size range and would probably be ok in the beginning. The large one can handle oil filters up to 2 7/8”. Both can be used with a ratchet drive like the cap type, so leverage and accessibility is not a problem. The universal type would set you back +- $10 and the smaller Lisle would be in the same ball-park, with the larger one slightly less, say $18 – $19 for both.
- Quality
Quality of oil filter wrenches is good and need not be a concern as a home handyman is unlikely to wear any out with use… You can be fairly sure of lifetime use, so it is better to choose a type which will be adaptable to your future needs.
- Conclusion
Taking ease of use and practicality into account it gives me pleasure to recommend the Lisle, despite it perhaps being necessary to buy the 2 sizes. It can be so frustrating to remove an oil filter with inadequate tools that this slight extra cost is justified. It is made in the USA and also has the most positive reviews.