Are oil filter cap wrenches useless?

[RaymondP]

If the correct sized cap slips or flexes place a single sheet of paper towel between the two. Will address up any flexing or poor fitting and grip to allow removal. This simple trick has served me well.

Newer Merc SUV has a 17 mm nut formed on the top of the oil filter cap. (Uses a cartridge type filter.) A 6-sided long reach socket provides the reach, as it's well down in the engine bay. So far all good, although a tight process to remove/replace the filter with the various intakes and hoses partially in the way. Seems like Mercedes vehicles are getting more challenging/time consuming to work on after reviewing the "how to" video on replacing the engine air filter. I guess dealerships have to justify their high service costs.

 

[KrisZ]

I have a three finger universal filter adapter and an oil filter strap, these got me through all of the oil changes for the last 25 years of my oil change adventures. I never felt I needed an oil filter cap.

But if there is ever a vehicle where those will not work, I would not hesitate to buy a high quality cap for that specific application.

 

[tcp71]

I changed the oil on the mazda yesterday. The filter defied my efforts using a strap wrench but my little plastic filter cap grabbed the rough coating on the fram like glue. It was almost impossible to remove the cap after the filter loosened. I give that one full credit. Filter was an XG 7317 and the oil was (because...BITOG):

 

[srfdude]

Geez do you guys use a torque wrench to install your filter?? I've been changing filters on my various cars (more than I can remember) for 62 years. I tighten 1/2-3/4 turn after touching the gasket; never have had one stick so tight I can't get it off by hand.

 

[hrv]

Geez do you guys use a torque wrench to install your filter?? I've been changing filters on my various cars (more than I can remember) for 62 years. I tighten 1/2-3/4 turn after touching the gasket; never have had one stick so tight I can't get it off by hand.

Same for me...

 

[KrisZ]

Geez do you guys use a torque wrench to install your filter?? I've been changing filters on my various cars (more than I can remember) for 62 years. I tighten 1/2-3/4 turn after touching the gasket; never have had one stick so tight I can't get it off by hand.

I certainly don't need to use it all the time, but...
- When you acquire a vehicle, at least in my case, I was never able to remove the filter by hand.
- Some vehicles have little space to get a proper grip on the filter.
- Then there are motorcycles and I'm, sure cars too, that have the filter behind exhaust headers, or very close to the exhaust pipe, so good luck sticking your hand in there when the engine is hot.

Having a good oil filter removal tool in your arsenal is always a good idea

 

[IndyIan]

Geez do you guys use a torque wrench to install your filter?? I've been changing filters on my various cars (more than I can remember) for 62 years. I tighten 1/2-3/4 turn after touching the gasket; never have had one stick so tight I can't get it off by hand.

I just tighten by hand until I'm sure it will stay tight, but not so much I won't be able to undo it by hand in 6 months...
The filter strap is for new to me vehicles, and so far I've always been able to get in on somehow.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Geez do you guys use a torque wrench to install your filter?? I've been changing filters on my various cars (more than I can remember) for 62 years. I tighten 1/2-3/4 turn after touching the gasket; never have had one stick so tight I can't get it off by hand.

Might be true if I only serviced my own cars, but I often help others. Ya never know...

 

[dlundblad]

I have had great luck with Motivx for our 4Runner. It’s machined as opposed to stamped.

 

[dlundblad]

I mostly use the Lisle grabber cap wrenches or a strap wrench.
View attachment 240559

If you’re trying to remove canister style filters, this is where it’s at.

 

[ATex7239]

All of our vehicles have spin on filters with easy access for this… very simple and efficient.

 

[Dave Hess]

I mostly use the Lisle grabber cap wrenches or a strap wrench.
View attachment 240559

That’s what I use and very awesome, zero slippage.

 

[MrBaumTastic]

I've learned even after years of doing my own oil changes, sometimes I still over torque the canister , even though my aim is "hand tight". It's no where close to causing damage, but anything to help remove a stuck/overtight oil filter is a very handy tool that saves mountains of frustration.

It's definitely "good to have and not need" because the Kia Sportage we got two months ago came from the dealer with a generic oil filter that was tightened by Kratos or something.

 

[dubber09]

The only times I use filter cap is when it's impossible to get good grip on the filter for removal and to tighten new one well due to very tight space around the filter, only if cap fits and I never overtighten assuming next service is on me. Normally thou, removal and tightening is done by hand.

 

[Bladecutter]

Geez do you guys use a torque wrench to install your filter?? I've been changing filters on my various cars (more than I can remember) for 62 years. I tighten 1/2-3/4 turn after touching the gasket; never have had one stick so tight I can't get it off by hand.

Ducati oil filters are probably one of the worst spin on filters I've ever run into. The rubber gasket is so incredibly stiff.
I don't know what it is, but anytime I try to do the whole gasket touches, and then add 1/2 to 3/4 turn method, it leaks like a sieve.
I have to use a cup tool, and full on torque it down.

Doesn't matter what bike, I've had it happen on every single one from my 2008 848, to the 2009 696 my wife had, her current 2017 Scrambler, and my 2020 SuperSport also leaked without going to town on them.

So, honestly, I use the cup wrenches on all filters, because it works.
I already have the tool under the car, because I used it to get the old filter off, so why not use it to put the new one on?
And there's never a chance for a leak.

 

[paulo57509]

I don't care for them either. I don't know if it's a mis-match between the filter or wrench; aftermarket filters + OEM wrench, or vice-versa.

I wonder if an OEM filter and OEM wrench combo will work better? I just use a strap wrench or the 16" Channel-locks.

 

[The motor guy]

I think the kit I bought is metric

 

[The motor guy]

I mostly use the Lisle grabber cap wrenches or a strap wrench.
View attachment 240559

Can you tighten a filter too with it?

 

[JeffKeryk]

Can you tighten a filter too with it?

No. But I am not sure I would want to. Hand tighten is plenty.
Lisle oil filter tool. Use starts at 3 minutes...

 

[The motor guy]

No. But I am not sure I would want to. Hand tighten is plenty.

Depends on how good a grip you can get. I was fumbling through my cap wrenches and then realized I was able to easily spin it off with my hand. Some engines that vibrate a lot seem to loosen the filter over time. I prefer to hand tighten then go another 1/4 turn. Sometimes I can't always get the full turn after gasket contact with my hand, so I go just s smidgen more with the wrench for safe measure