Oil filter wrench

Three things:

1. I've been using a semi-standard hex oil filter wrench on the Prius with relatively good results. Until this last time.
2. Took the car to one of these quickie oil change places. They, with their tools, couldn't get the oil filter off, and that was with 15 minutes of trying.
3. Took the car home, felt frustrated, and tried to do it myself. My wrench couldn't turn the thing, it was stuck.
4. Made the mistake of trying to whang it around by banging on the lugs towards the rear with a screwdriver. Punctured the oil cover. Oops!
5. Called a mechanic I knew. They said they were sure they could fix the car, but I'd have to supply a new cover. I said, "Sure!". My spouse followed me over there, me driving nice and easy and quickly before the oil ran out. Made it, made a run to Toyota, and returned with a new cover. $$.
6. The mechanic got the oil cover off.

And this is where things got interesting. The mechanic came out afterwards and showed me a fancy oil filter wrench. It wasn't just hex-shaped; it had cut-outs towards the engine side that fit the lugs. He stated that every different type of Toyota had lugs in different places, with the intent that people like him had to go out and buy a different wrench for each type of Toyota. However, Snap-On, according to him, is ahead of the game: They make a universal oil filter wrench for Toyotas that has cut-outs that fit all the lugs on all the covers. He suggested that I flag down the next Snap-On truck I saw and ask them for one.

For sure, the last bunch to tighten down that cover put a heck of a lot of torque on it. As it happens, that was the dealership. And that's the last time I'm going to that place. Them and their pneumatic wrenches.

So, there's the Wall-mart special oil cover wrench that works when some nutjob hasn't overtorqued the cover. And then there's this Snap-On thing. Choose, but choose wisely.

KBeck

 

I use a standard oil filter wrench (band type). I took an old serpentine belt and cut a section out of it. I wrap that belt (rubber) around the oil filter housing and then put the wrench over that. Pressing down on the rubber applies enough "grip" to turn the housing safely for loosening and tightening.

Just didn't want to spend the $$$ for a specialty wrench.

Do note that this IS NOT the same as buying one of those rubber "universal" wrenches. Those suckers stretch and are useless if you have to work in a limited space. By the time the stretch hits its limit, you're out of space for leveraging the filter.

 

I used the standard socket that removes most filters. It did not work well with the new plastic filter covers! I am going to flag down a snap-on truck. H

 

I'm using a Honda oil filter socket, it's a perfect fit, very heavy gauge and durable. It measures 64.15 mm inside face-to-face, and has 14 faces. It can be turned with a 3/8" drive or 17 mm socket.

The part no on it is: 07HAA-PJ70100, but I bought it decades back. It's apparently now part no: 07AAA-PLCA100.

If you Google those part no's you'll find hits from Amazon near the top.

Or, just go to your nearest Toyota Parts Department (or Honda) and ask? That's basically how I got mine.

 

Thanks Mendel
I got mine for the Honda as well. I use it for my gen2 as well. Mine fits 65mm -68mm. Mine has 14 faces as well. It does not hold well so I'll get one or the other.

 

Honda used to use a larger diameter filter. I bought one of those, for a ridiculous amount, around $40, and that was maybe 30 years back. Then bought the smaller (64mm face-to-face, 14 face) for the oil filter on a Hurricane. The smaller motorcycle filter migrated to their cars, and as far as I know is their universal filter now.

And Toyota's using the same size, at least on the Prius. One quick way to get one is to show up at a Honda parts department. Bring a caliper, just to verify, and it's 14 face.

 

here is what I use available on amazon for 13$.

Roll over image to zoom in

Assenmacher Specialty Tools TOY 640 Oil Filter Socket Wrench for Toyota/Lexus

 

I bought the same one on Amazon. It is a perfect fit for the filter housing on my 2011 Prius .

 

How much was it on eBay? I priced one at toyota today and they only wanted $63 plus tax. H

 

Harold, also check at a Honda dealership. I bought mine there, granted decades ago, and it was maybe $20~30, I forget.

 

Think I will check out auto parts stores. I don't believe Toyota or Honda want us changing our filters? H

 

There's some info here on the Honda part:


Oil Filter Wrench - Bernardi Honda Parts and Accessories


I'm guessing $30 at a Canadian dealership, looking at the online US price.

 

Since we're all having fun, I went to Snap-on and found their wrench. Here's the picture, above. Note the cut-outs in the edge of the two wrenches (they're two different parts) that engage with the lugs at the back of the oil cover. They're $33, according to Snap-On's web site.

KBeck

 

Been using this one for some time now.
Aluminum Oil Filter Cup Wrench Tool 64 5mm 14 Flute Fits Toyota Lexus USA Ships | eBay

 

Toyota OIL FILTER WRENCH Part Number 09228-06500-02

Expensive, but I use the Toyota supplied filter wrench.

 

I had a horrible experience with changing my 2012 Prius Plug-in filter. Went to Toyota, got the "recommended" filter cap remover (with the tongs as shown in picture by kbeck) and it would not wrap around the filter cover. Then went back to Toyota and got their "cheaper / thinner" remover which did not have the tongs.

In addition to the odd filter cap, the filter now is way in the back and requires dropping a portion of the plastic pan. The whole job is now much more difficult than it has ever been. I don't have an end to this story yet (as I did not actually remove the filter). However, the experience was the worst I have ever had in changing oil filters.

I used to have a Gen II car (2006), and the filter change was very straight forward. Why would Toyota "improve" it with this new horrible design? What a step backwards!

 

While expensive, the Toyota supplied special service wrench moves out the special retaining clips that might hold the cap in place/

 

The socket I'm using is just deep enough to cover the 14 faces, doesn't extend into that retaining clip zone. I've never noticed that clip doing anything.

 

The several times before when I changed the oil I noticed the clip. It looks like it prevents the cover from backing out; I kind of lifted it out of the way as the cover was unscrewed. After the first turn it doesn't engage any more.

It all works fine, until some numb-nut over torques the cover. Really, the reason that all these fancy wrenches exist is that Somebody, Somewhere, can't use a torque wrench or has the idea that 15 ft-lb (or whatever it is) is fifty. I mean, that clip keeps the cover from backing out; the only torque really necessary is that to compress the gaskets enough so the oil doesn't leak out .

Foo.

KBeck