There’s lots of things that inevitably happen with cars, and oil changes are one of them. When the time comes, you’ll have no choice but to have it done, especially if you want to keep your car in good working order and running smoothly. Car oil ensures that the engine is well lubricated as there are many moving parts in engines. When well lubricated, friction between the moving parts is reduced. So, if you keep your car in tip-top shape and well-oiled to begin with, you’ll use
your wrench set less often and won’t have to worry about wearing down the bits.
Oil filter wrenches fit directly onto the oil filter, just like
torque wrenches, to facilitate filter removal. These tools come in all sorts of brands, filter size ranges, wrench sizes, and materials. While some oil filter wrenches are a heavy-duty band-type, others come in the form of pliers. Additionally, some come with straps, while others come as a socket or chain/band types. Regardless of which oil filter wrench you pick, it should also come with a warranty to protect you from manufacturing faults.
To choose the right wrench, you’ll need to consider variables like material, size, and tool compatibility, as well as assessing its other features. Larger
adjustable oil filter wrenches enable you to remove various oil filters of varying diameters. Remember that premium materials help to guarantee durability. As with oil filter wrenches, your car oil filter should also come with a warranty to protect against any manufacturing defects.
Similarly, engine oil is essential in cooling down the engine. The oil absorbs the heat and dissipates it away from the engine as it moves around. Changing the oil should be done regularly, particularly if you do a lot of driving. During an oil change, the filter is also usually changed, hence the need for an oil filter wrench.
An oil filter wrench makes it easy to get to the filter and open the nuts holding it in place. Because of its unique design, the wrench also makes it possible to reach the oil filter which can sometimes be an awkward challenge. Luckily, with this special tool, you can free the oil filter in just a matter of seconds without struggling to reach it with some random tool in your garage.
As an oil filter wrench is specifically made for changing oil filters, you can easily reach the required location, remove the old filter, and snap a new one quickly into place. Not only is this tool a fast way to change a filter, but it’s also an efficient way thus saving you time in the long run. If you own a business that includes oil filter changes, you’d be able to serve more clients with such a time-saving tool, increasing your total revenue.
Price
Oil filter wrenches are not pricey items and any car owner can buy one. As not all wrenches are made equal, its price mostly depends on its brand and features. Cheap oil filter wrenches should be avoided since tools made from inferior quality materials tend to break easily.
The last thing you want is a wrench that breaks in the middle of an oil filter change, leaving you with a broken tool and one very stuck filter. With a budget of $5 to $60, you’ll find an ideal oil filter wrench for your auto.
Features
The wrench should allow you to reach the oil filter easily and quickly remove it as required. Thus, the tool features should enable you to perform this task efficiently. For long-term use, you’ll want to pick a tool that is manufactured with materials that are sturdy and durable. It’s also important for you to buy an oil filter wrench that’s compatible with your car to give you value for your money. Before you buy one, check your car to understand which tool type and size would be ideal.
Here are the import features to look for in an oil filter wrench:
- Materials used in the construction of the wrench
- Adjustability & sturdiness of the wrench
- Slippage prevention mechanisms
- The size of an adjustable oil wrench
- Capability for a tight fit
- One that doesn’t damage the filter
- Easy to remove the wrench
With the right oil filter wrench, you can be sure that your oil replacement efforts will be made easier to prevent any possible damages to your auto.
Construction and Design
Consider the following factors when shopping for oil filter wrenches:
Type
There are many types of oil filter wrenches and they are categorized according to how they work. Those that look like caps fit snugly onto the oil filter cap, removing the filter when a back-and-forth rotation is applied. After ensuring that the wrench fits tightly onto the filter and applying a small amount of force, the filter will dislodge. Aside from these cap types, there are also wrenches that are adjustable or provide a universal fit.
Adjustable and universal fit wrenches typically use adjustable claws that fit snugly onto the oil filter. Another type of oil filter wrench is shaped as pliers which have an arm that you can turn to remove the oil filter. These have different mechanisms for holding the oil filter to ensure it doesn’t slip as you turn the arm.
Filter Size Range
Oil filters come in different sizes, hence it’s important for the oil filter wrench to fit the oil filter. If you want to buy an adjustable oil filter wrench then you should ensure the range of the adjustable wrench is within the size of the oil filter for your car. Oil filters are measured in diameter, so you should check if the range of the wrench covers the size of your particular oil filter.
Compatibility/Application
Oil filter wrenches are compatible with specific models of cars. When looking for an oil filter wrench, you should consider getting one that’s compatible with the model and make of the car you drive. Keep in mind that oil wrenches won’t be compatible for all car models, even within the same car brand.
For instance, if a wrench is purchased for one specific Toyota vehicle, it might not be compatible with any other Toyota vehicles. Possibly, that oil filter wrench may only be compatible with that particular model or with some of their models. Ensure that the oil filter wrench you purchase is compatible with your oil filter.
Wrench Size
The size of the wrench is important because you want it to reach the oil filter easily so you can remove it effortlessly. With regards to size, it’s also important for your oil filter wrench to be lightweight so you don’t get fatigued while using it. The size of the wrench should allow favorable use even when the oil filter might be out of your line of sight.
Materials
A wrench is a tool for rugged use and should therefore be constructed with heavy-grade materials. It goes without saying that you’d avoid a wrench made from inferior, weaker-grade materials to avoid breakage when it’s used thus rendering it ineffective. Even if an oil filter is stuck in place, the wrench should be able to free it. Some of the favorable materials in making of wrenches are steel, aluminum and hard plastics.
Performance and Ease of Use
Oil filter wrenches don’t require any kind of maintenance for them to work correctly or last long. The only thing you need to look out for is that the wrench is stored properly in a place where it won’t be subjected to undue pressure and force. For wrenches with adjustable jaws, you might need to check that the jaws move or adjust easily before every use. Since oil filter wrenches are designed to fit effortlessly over oil filters, using them is straightforward and requires minimal effort.
To pick the right oil filter wrench, you’ll need to take several factors into account, namely the type, material, size, and compatibility. Additionally, as there are several different kinds of wrenches on the market, carefully consider any other features. Oil filter wrenches with the largest sizes would enable you to remove various oil filters of varying diameters. To guarantee durability, good quality material is necessary. Find out if one of our recommended oil filter wrenches is what you need.
Whether you’re a professional mechanic or need to pull a DIY and change your engine’s oil, there’s an oil filter wrench out there that will meet your specific needs. We hope that with our review of five of the top oil filter wrenches, you’ll be able to pick the right tool for your torque needs. In case you need something different, check out our other auto product reviews.
