The question was which one was the best oil filter wrench. I bought this one probably 15 years ago and it's wide enough to not crush the body of the oil filter during removal. It's designed with a 1/2" drive, not a 3/8 so you can see by the scale of the strap that it's around 3 inches wide. It does not take no for an answer if the oil filter is over-torqued and I've never had one crush down on me during removal.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/SER772321

 

Never ever use an wrench to tighten a filter!

(does not apply to FTN,who knows what he is doing,just like Sledgehammer)

 

^^^This. Except in my case I get it to tight contact by hand then I apparently need a wrench to get that 3/4 turn.

Oh me neither.

 

To answer the original question, I use one of these also. My only gripe with it is the strap gets saturated with oil once the filter gets loose then transfers said sooty oil everywhere.

 

I only use it to loosen the filter then I use my hands! Never got oil on the strap! I drain the filter first by drilling a hole with a self tapping screw, then I put the screw back in after it's drained and remove the filter, slipping a grocery bag over it when it is just about ready to come off. The grocery bag is slippery so I go slow and use two hands.

 

One time, after wally mart, i noticed some oil dripping. I was getting all anxious as i was not looking for another repair job. Got under truck to find the oil filter partly spun off.

 

 

Well...

First i bought the strap style shown from NAPA. I crawl under, slip it on and twirl the loose strap up, and attach my 1/2” rachet.
Time to do the gorrilla pull and break her loose...
Boing!!! It stretches. Its like using a rubber band. I couldn’t get any powa into it!
Maybe if you got a non chinee one that has non stretch fabric.

Now im on bicycle, so I go to the closest auto store and choose from their selection. I selected the pensoil metal strap type. Our 1995 filter is a little over 4” diameter. Maybe 4 1/8”? It does not slip and grips very well. I was able to get full powa into it. This one has a handle that hinges. This helps to get it in position. The filter was really on tight. This one also made of commy pot metal and it bent. But the filter came off.

Q: Do those filter gaskets swell after contact with diesel?

 

Is the strap on that Britool metal or fabric?

 

I would have drove a large screwdriver through it at that point.

Mine doesn’t get changed often due to low usage so I’ve never gotten around to buying a large enough tool. Always say I will before next time though. I’ve been using a giant pair of channel locks for years.

Didn’t bother mentioning it earlier because you asked for the best and I definitely don’t recommend my plier method. But it is better than nothing and/or having to ride the bicycle to town.

 

I second this- been using it for over two years. least amount of strength required to loosen filter

 

I remember trying the screwdriver thing when i was a young man.
I ended up with a mess and a filter that had the end mangled and tore off.

This filter was on so tight, i think the same thing would have happened.

also once you commit to the screw driver.. you will have very few options after

 

 

Since we're posting pictures of filter wrenches, here's mine. I NEVER have any issues getting even the most stubbornly installed filter off. Never crushes the body of the filter and the strap is wide enough for it to not take no for an answer if it's siezed up on the flange. Completely drama-free oil change services.

 

That's a 1/2" drive breaker bar, FYI.