another victim of the "too tight oil filter cap"

The country of origin is not of concern to me if it is still a quality product. Those caps are being sold under the "BluePoint" name, which sells Snap-On's foreign-made products.

 

The Toyota OTC one is made of steel, not aluminum. The center is welded fully around the steel "cup." Both have been case hardened. Most all others are aluminum, including the Snap-On. The Assemacher, also made of aluminum, is likely better than the Snap-On.

If the cap was tightened by the Toyota dealer, it is most likely that they used the Toyota approved service wrench.

 

I don't remember much about the Toyota one, but the Snap-On/blue-point cap has cut-outs that allow for better grip than most of the filter wrenches that I've seen.

 

How about something hi-tech? Review the pictures on the oil filter cardboard carton. If the installer follows the picture, there will not be any future issues w/ oil filter removal. People need to take a minute and read the installation instructions. It can't get any simpler than that.

DBCassidy

 

It also holds the little spring out of the way.

 

Here's the video to show you guys how to do your oil change on the Prius

 

FWIW, Honda's oil filters are identical, and there's a socket available through them.

 

I've been DIYing my own oil for 30 years and have a pretty good feel for torque without a torque wrench. I did my 1st oil change on my 2012 Prius yesterday and used the same cap wrench that I use on my 2005 XB and 2008 Solara. It was a tad loose on the Prius canister housing so I wrapped a thin piece of rubber around it (same rubber used for getting a grip on kitchen jars) and it worked fine with no issues. I'll be getting the right tool soon but this works fine in a pinch.

 

My 2010 is my first car that I take to the dealer for a oil change. I look for a coupon and have them do it. With only having to do it every 10k miles, I don't mind the extra expense. We also have a 09 Prius which I do change myself, again every 10k miles with synthetic oil. Even a 10k miles, the oil still looks good.

 

What model number is that Assenmacher, or can you post a link? Thanks.

 

Toy 640 Oil Filter Socket Wrench for Toyota Prius RAV4 Solara Camry Corolla Echo | eBay

 

I tried the jaws type on mine yesterday, it might have worked, but they are stripped out and move to the larger size when torqued. It would have been kinda tight even if they had worked.. about 10 degrees of movement. So I took the van to the toyota dealership and dropped $12 on the tool... worked like a charm. Moral: just go get the tool, if you plan to be doing the oil yourself. It's a lot better than the $120 or so I had to spend fot the tool to remove my VWs spark plugs :O

 

I used a tool I bought for eBay for $20. The hardest part of the oil change job is pulling the underbody cover.

 

Not really hard since there's only 3 clips to take off lol...

 

Yeah, holding the front of the Prius up with one hand leaves only one hand free to flip the underbody cover.

 

I just flip the car over on it's side.

 

I just tell my Prius to roll over so I can change the oil.

 

I think he's taking the whole cover off.

 

yeah... But, its not required