I bought this Lisle tool from the local FLAPS. Similar in operation to the three jaw grabber.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1675900660.jpg

OK so now it's time to reveal my time honored system for this job.

I write a check for $50 to my local wrench.

That is pretty cheap, and hard to justify the time and effort of DIY.

My wife's Macan cost over $400 for an oil change if we took it to the dealership. I had to buy a OBD2 tool to access the computer and reset the oil change light. It is needed to do many tasks on a modern car. I keep looking for the port to plug it into my 911, but the factory must have it hidden.

A 5 quart bottle of Mobile 1 and a filter, the o-rings and new drain plug are pricey, but with a lift in my garage it was hard to tell her to go to the dealership. ;) And the OBD2 tool is cool. My business partner brought over his Ford Escape, and we read the code, and after he replaced some sensor, we reset the code.

My experience is not to take it to Jiffy or whatever. Typically if you do and then decide to DIY the next time you can never get the filter off.

I've got several of the tools on this thread plus a specific oil filter big jaw plier. That thing works pretty well but at times the orientation of the filter and other stuff around it makes it hard to line up and get purchase on the filter.

Big screw drivers work but are messy

I switched to K&N filters years ago. They have the big socket protrusion on the end of them--super easy.

When one of the kids takes their car to a shop to get oil, and then bring it to dad the next time...I generally ram a screwdriver through it and twist it off while griping at them for taking their car to a shop...

I asked our college graduating son (this coming May) what he intended to do about a vehicle post grad. "I just thought I'd keep driving the Land Rover". I said, you mean the one I own...

Meanwhile he called at 10pm last night, dead battery. Looks like I'm driving 3 hours one way on Saturday to see what's wrong.

His job will also be 3 hours away. This could get messy and he may need to buy a Honda.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1675977929.jpg

Here is part of my arsenal . I probably have 5 more random ones that are for specific vehicles . Out of all of them, only one is marked TOY, and it fits toyota plastic housings .
Im not aware of any system that tells you what fits what . In the blow molded case, the sizes, and number of flats is marked on each wrench .

You can buy a set like Fred’s, (or even bigger), for not a lot of money and be the oil change hero of your social circle. It beats hunting for the right one at stores until you finally borrow the set from a pro like I had to do last summer in MN.

Of course! I used to travel semi-great distances to help my parents with computer problems or general labor around their house/property. Now, I drive semi-great distances to help the kids with their issues. When does that role reverse? :D

Sounds like he's needing either a Honda or a Toyota...both are great cars that run forever if taken care of at least a little bit.

I have a JSW TDI that I bought three years ago as a CPO car with about 35k on it. Came time for the first oil change and first thing I did was price oil, filter and gasket from the usual VW parts places. Second thing I did was happen to get a flyer in the mail from my local VW dealer. Price for the dealer to do an oil change when they had a sale was within about $10-15 of the cost of doing it myself, minus my time. Drive the car to the dealer on a weekday morning, drop it off, walk a few blocks and take the train to work, pick it up on my way home. Or if it's a Saturday put my bike in the back and go for a bike ride. First time in 20 years that I'd ever paid anyone to do an oil change, but I've done it each year since because my time is worth a lot more than that $15 or whatever, plus this is the modern car that I don't want to spend more time than I have to maintaining when I have four old cars to take care of.

I have ALL the filter tools by now. Including the BFScrewdriver ;-)

It really depends on the car. This one (my 2002) is the worst car on the planet for filter removal. Location/angle/spacing.

this is the prettiest one to ever come out.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1675984877.jpg

Fred has the complete arsenal! All I have is a couple of the cup sizes, two band wrench sizes, and a pair of the filter pliers.

But I give Otter the A+ solution...plus the benefit of all day secure parking!

I have an old band-style wrench, I've had it for decades. (It's Made in USA!, that's how long I've had it.)
I glued some 220 grit sandpaper to the grip surface, and it's never caused me any grief.

I also draw 4 tick marks on my oil filters with a sharpie at the clock points - I. II. III. IIII.

With those marks I have a visual for when I've tightened the filter 3/4 turn from initial gasket contact. Makes it a little easier to remove, I think?

Here are my five of my oil filter tools. I have a few others elsewhere in the toolbox. These have yet to let me down.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1675992977.jpg

There was a pic of a Ferrari with double downwards filters.
I think the trick is to center-punch them with the drain and filler cap open. And wait a bit.

OEM Honda filters have a film of silicone on the ring, but it is absolutely necessary to at least wet the filter element before operation.