This is the first time I've attempted to change my own oil, and everything has gone fine except for the fact that I can't get the old oil filter off! Tires Plus used to change my oil, so I'm assuming they tightened the filter very very tight. Any suggestions for getting the filter off? I have that octagonal filter wrench but I have no lever to connect to it. I also tried using one of those rubber grips that you use to get lids off jars and that won't make it budge. Any advice guys?

 

Worst case impale the filter with a long screwdriver and twist it loose. I have a strap wrench that has a hole for a 3/8" drive socket wrench that works well.

 

Go buy a three or four different cap filter (tool) with a 3/8 inch drive for your socket wrench. This will be trial and error but it will work. Try them out. Return the cap filter tols that do not work.

 

...or just bring a new oil filter to the cap filter store and find one that fits when you are there....

 

Just hammer a screwdriver into it

and twist

 

How about those cheap wool-like moving gloves with that grippy foam rubber stuff sprayed to the fingers and palms?

This is reason #263454 to do oil changes yourself. They usually overtighten everything (drain plug, filter) way too much, but sometimes you hear about things falling off! Good luck.

 

I second (or third) the above about the filter tool for a 3/8 ratchet.
A screwdriver does work, but can get you in a bad situation. I've had one rip the filter off of the base, leaving the base still threaded on the block. We had to use a propane torch, hammer, and chisel to get it off. And with the torch, there were flames!
After you get it off, make sure the old o-ring is not stuck to the block. Put fresh oil on the new filter's rubber o-ring to aid in future removal. Do not use a tool of any kind to tighten the new one. The filter box will tell you how tight to put it on. It varies slightly by filter manufacturer (usually about 1/2 to 3/4 turn past seated).

Dave

 

That "octagonal filter wrench" is the cap wrench right? It looks like a cap and you need to use a 3/8" socker wrench to use it.

Just make sure you are turning the right way

 

yea use a oil filter strap or better a filter cap with a socket adapter to get better torq on the filter!!! the heat from our engines seizes them on the oil filter mount nothing big be patient and work it loose!! Make sure that none of the old oil filters gasket in still on!!

 

Oil filter straps never seem to work for me. If I get one I can't get loose by hand I use a big set of channel locks and just twist it off. I've found this to be much easier and cleaner than sticking a screwdriver through the filter.

 

The filter coming off is garbage anyway. But a cleaner way to get a stuck filter off is to use a channellock. Crush the fliter some with it to get a good bite and pull straight down with the handles pointing toward the rear of the car. With this car there is no reason to ever buy a filter wrench, hand thighten and if you can't get it off by hand grab the channellocks

 

Strap wrenches have saved the day for me on several occasions. I have also tried the screwdriver trick only to tear the casing and making matters worse.

 

dont f*** up the filter too much - cuz if u cant get it off - then u gona have a problem - try the c shaped plier wrenches - grip it tight where as to put a inprint in the filter which would grip it and turn - and um make sure ure turning the correct way - cuz usally they arent to hard to come off - unless ure tightening them - instead of loosing.
good luck -

or else come down to the old bridge sears and ill get it off for u.

 

Make sure you're turning the right way too. It's easy to get mixed up when your lying on your back.