Trouble getting oil filter off

It is easy on the Prius. You just have to get this cap loose. Trust me. Even with my other cars, the oil change shop or dealership mechanic always overtorqued the filter. Its like they want you to have to take it to them to get it off. Bought my car new. First oil change was a nightmare as it was extremely tight. Jacking the car up high enough to get the proper leverage with a breaker bar and using all my body weight finally got it off. Since then, it takes less that 10 minutes to do my oil change and the cap comes off easily.

 

Have you got the Honda oil filter socket? It's been working fine for me, same size. I suspect those slots that go around the stiffeners are not doing much. Never had any problems, but then again, the only people to torque it besides me were factory personnel in Japan. This is my set up. Again, the long lever arm, and a very snug fitting socket, are key:


^ ol' resistance is futile

 

Get this :

And as others have get a breaker bar and you will be good

 

If you're dealing with over torque, a possible tactic:

Start with good quality, heavy gauge, tight fitting socket. Wet the inside, dust it with pumice (fine grit), push it onto the housing (it may need gentle hammer taps).

This I think will dispel any chance of the socket slipping, rounding the corners.

 

Toyota Vallejo on Sundays offers $10 off any service over $30. Guess how much an oil change is.

So for $20 if you bring your own oil, you could have this done.
You can also watch them change the oil from the comfort of the waiting room which is opposite the oil change bay. Might have to see about getting an appointment though as they get busy on Sundays.

One place to consider.

 

Toyota Vallejo does. You can call and ask others.

Might be worth posting the results of what you find sonothers can know.

 

I have noticed the cap to be much tighter when taking off than when putting on. Also, When putting back on with the new O-ring, it always spins on easily till it seats and takes about a quarter turn with a wrench to get tight. On removal, like I said it is much tighter requiring some force and also has a good amount of friction for a couple of turns. My thought has been that the new o ring swells a bit after installation.

 

Same observation here: a fair bit of friction when turning, until the O-ring is free of the barrel. Instruction says to oil the O-ring at install, with fresh oil; guess that's kind of baked off by the next oil change.

 

Had all the right tools and still was unable to remove cap until I jacked the car up enough to get better leverage from 24inch breaker bar.

 

I find it a cakewalk with an 18", but that's when the only people to put it on were the factory mechanics (who are very likely doing it to the specified (18 foot pound torque), and me (same story). I have a hunch many of these "pro" mechanics are using high powered battery powered impact wrenches.

 

Just did my 3rd oil/filter change on my 2010 and it's a lot easier if you remove the metal clip that I guess
is supposed to lock the filter housing in place so it does work it's way loose.
The filter wrench is "supposed" to move it out of the way, but it's a pain to do, unless you have a lift.
I've tightened it just snugly and put the clip back in. The first oil change I had the clip in and turned it by
hand until I had to use the wrench, but just till the clip clicked into place. No leaks.

 

Actually, go to that page, tab down, same thing for 9.99$

 

I had to laugh when I saw this updated thread. This issue is as old as Methuselah (that means really old). I love seeing the latest ways some of us have found getting the oil filter off. The first time is the hardest. I broke a tooth on mine, but since then, it has been pretty easy. Keep up the good post about this.

 

Isn't there a song about that? Yeah it's pretty much for sure those "pros" with impact guns...