Oil filter wrenches - when did they get so good?

OK, so I was changing my oil filter today.

Using my "Old School" oil filter wrench circa 1982: Pretty much never used anything else. (OK, I'll fess up - I also used to use the "handle style" one. But that's not what's in my toolbox.



I always used to install filters "hand tight" but the Toyota directions call for the filter to go 3/4 turn past contact, which is more than I can do with my fingers. So I ended up partially CRUSHING the new filter trying to tighten it on there.

So - I go back to the dealer to get a *SECOND* filter and LOOK: what do they have there right with the filters? What the hell is that? Does it go on there?



And, like a socket fits in it??



You youngsters have it so fucking good. I mean, you have *no* idea.

But, seriously, when did this newfangled style of filter wrench show up on the market?

 

I dont think anyone has taken the filter off without the wrench!!

 

Is this real life? Lol. Ive been using that type for several years now. Not sure when they came out though.

 

I've had one the "new fangled" filter wrenches for probably 10-15 years. I still prefer my "old school" wrench though on the Toyota. The other one worked great on my old civic where it was impossible for me to fit my hands into the tight space that filter went into.

 

I've never used a wrench. I guess I don't tighten enough, but I haven't had a leak yet.

 

Since they started making the tops octagon shape I suppose.

 

bought mine a couple of years ago, when I got the Tacoma and my other filter wrenches wouldn't work.

 

Those are older than you likely.

They have been around forever but are not popular since it is not a universal size for all filters.

I can get 3/4 turn no problem on a prelubed filter by hand.

 

Don't even try to say we youngsters have it good!

Change the filter on a first gen v6 without the help of an asian midget then you can talk.

 

That was my first thought when reading this too....

 

U cant turn the filter 3/4 turn without a tool? Do i do something wrong? Every car oilg change i have done on few different cars, ive always been able to hand tighten them 3/4 turns... my 3 years old brother can eve do that.
Or do i tighten it too loose? Its not even a full turn... whats so hard about it?

 

Do you know how goddamn expensive it is to fly Cody to California every 5,000 miles? It's really draining my mod fund.

 

????? I used cap wrenches like that since the 70s. That's one reason I don't care for the Amsoil EAO filters... they have no flats for a cap wrench.
When I worked at Pep Boys in '81, Fram marketed a plastic cap wrench that was a 2-sided, 4-step assembly that would fit pretty much any filter except for the smaller import filters.

And you should not need a wrench to get 3/4 turn past contact.

I've done it a bunch of times. Never used to try, and I've got a number of strap and cap type wrenches at my disposal, but lately, before reaching for the tools, I'll give it a try with a nitril glove on my hand and I can usually get it.

 

I dunno. Forever I just tightened it "hand tight" and didn't worry about it. Then like, I read the box and now "hand tight" wasn't good enough. 3/4 of a turn past contact...

Well, turns out for me that "hand tight" is a little past half a turn, which is probably fine. But now I had the directions in my head, so I had to get to the printed number.

Mostly this is all in good humour. But I just kinda get amazed sometimes at some simple advances in some simple tools that it wouldn't really have occurred to me could be improved. And the dang thing cost less than the filter that I wrecked - so it's not like it's expensive.

Anyhow - when I put the drain plug back in, I tightened it by feel and I am NOT looking up the torque spec on that number.

 

Yeah I resorted to lopping off my pinky finger on one hand.

 

Which was pretty much right away.
My '67 Chevelle had a cartridge filter, '69 LeSabre a spin-on, and other than the Amsoil EAO, I have never encountered a spin-on that was not flatted.

 

I've used the old screw driver punched through the filter before.

 

Maybe that's it - the auto parts stores didn't want to sell a whole bunch of different sizes - and I only noticed it now because Toyota only has to stock a handful of filter sizes and so they can keep wrenches for all of them with them on the shelf.

 

I just always use my hand

 

I have one of those and hate it. It kept crushing the grips on the filter and wouldn't loosen it. I now use one of these: