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Napa Auto Parts

$6.29 1/2 Drive Oil Filter strap- the only oil filter tool you'll ever need for the rest of your life

  • Last Updated:
  • Apr 21st, 2022 11:22 pm
[OP]
Deal Addict
User avatar
Aug 30, 2020
2659 posts
5117 upvotes
YEG/YYZ

[Napa Auto Parts] $6.29 1/2 Drive Oil Filter strap- the only oil filter tool you'll ever need for the rest of your life

https://www.napacanada.com/en/p/ECF7769017

This is the best tool that you can use to remove a stuck oil filter. Also works for any spin on filter. The only thing you need is a 1/2 drive ratchet or breaker bar to use this. The more you turn the tighter it gets.

Oil filter caps-
Image

Useless. Unless you work at a dealership and only use an OEM filter that are identical across 90% of the fleet. There are so many different shapes and sizes across oil filter manufacturers you'll just waste money and time.

Pliers
Image

Useless if the oil filter is in a hard to reach spot. Slips off easily. Need to maintain constant pressure as you turn.

Metal band
Image

Useless in hard to reach situations. Rarely do you have the right size, it's always too big or too small. Even if you get the right size, it often slips off.

Claw filter
Image

Works well most of the time but won't work on small filters or big filters.

Image

Grips well but won't work if the filter is in a hard to reach spot.

Save yourself $ and headache and buy the filter strap.
32 replies
Newbie
Nov 6, 2017
43 posts
59 upvotes
Hamilton, ON
I own the proper "filter cap" tools for both my vehicles, but I've spent enough time cursing at them from under my car that it might be time to try something new.

Thanks OP!
Jr. Member
Sep 3, 2019
101 posts
87 upvotes
Would the filter strap not just slip from any excess oil lubricating it?
Deal Fanatic
User avatar
Aug 27, 2014
7860 posts
3934 upvotes
Canuckland
Claw tool works just fine
Deal Addict
Dec 20, 2007
3923 posts
4824 upvotes
Prince George
BadB0ii wrote: Would the filter strap not just slip from any excess oil lubricating it?
It would if you let it get oily, in which case clean it with brake cleaner. But if you're careful then it doesn't get oily. (Give the filter a quick wipe before using it, and just use it to break it loose; spin it off by hand)

I do prefer the strap style though I admit I haven't used the claw ones. With every type you'll eventually find a vehicle / filter where it doesn't fit well and some other type works better lol. But I use the strap style.
Member
Jan 21, 2017
494 posts
334 upvotes
Doesn't seem to be any useful in tight spots where you can only slide one hand into the small hole of the shield. Would still give the edge to the claw tool.
Sr. Member
Feb 7, 2017
721 posts
417 upvotes
I own 3 oil filter tools. I have the claw, the pliers and the oil filter caps.

The best tool for you depends on the car model you work on. I own a Hyundai and Toyota and the oil filter cap works the best for me. The claw used to work well for my old Honda.

It depends on where the oil filter is located and how it can be reached.
Deal Addict
Nov 12, 2004
2607 posts
1361 upvotes
Hometown
LOL looks like the one a friend of my father made up. Used a length of old seat belt. Then he took a long bolt about 2.5 times the width of the seat belt. He cut a groove down the threaded part of the bolt sort of like a tuning fork. Put the seat belt in super glued it so it was in a loop. Originally he welded the end of the threads together. That weld broke eventually, but it did not affect my dad's ability to use it. That thing probably took off a couple thousand filters before before dad retired and more than a couple hundred for the fleet he looked after, when had
"retired".

The best part was it so ratty looking that none of the mechanics at the dealership would be seen asking to borrow it. To be honest most of them would not have understood how it worked anyhow LOL.
Deal Addict
User avatar
Apr 23, 2005
1832 posts
1292 upvotes
Buy the K&N ones that have a nut welded on the end. No filter wrench needed, ever.
Newbie
Feb 24, 2011
55 posts
47 upvotes
Alberta
umopapisdnwei wrote: +1
Buy it when it's on sale at Princess Auto. 2.5" to 4.75" covers a wide range of filter sizes.
https://www.princessauto.com/en/2-1-2-t ... 0008104028
Claw works best. I tried all these tools when the rubber gasket on my oil filter melted. The claw will put enough pressure to tear the oil filter (if required) but you can put an extreme amount of force on it using the right ratchet.
Member
May 27, 2008
484 posts
396 upvotes
Toronto
A very timely thread. I was changing the oil/filter on my son's car yesterday. Never dealt with a filter this stuck in all my life's oil changes.

Bent both the claw, and the metal band design removers. Tried the strap+bar as well which wasn't moving. Went to the last resort of massive screwdriver through the filter and that wasn't happening. It FINALLY came undone with the strap+bar giving it a go again. Thats always been my last go to, but yesterday it earned some new respect. If not just by jumping the line as the others are new bent.
Newbie
Jan 31, 2016
71 posts
93 upvotes
This would be a decent tool only if you have a traditional metal canister filter. I personally don't think its a good idea if you have a plastic housing as there is a fairly small contact face on those.
Sr. Member
User avatar
Jan 19, 2006
552 posts
399 upvotes
BC
Canuck2fan wrote: LOL looks like the one a friend of my father made up. Used a length of old seat belt. Then he took a long bolt about 2.5 times the width of the seat belt. He cut a groove down the threaded part of the bolt sort of like a tuning fork. Put the seat belt in super glued it so it was in a loop. Originally he welded the end of the threads together. That weld broke eventually, but it did not affect my dad's ability to use it. That thing probably took off a couple thousand filters before before dad retired and more than a couple hundred for the fleet he looked after, when had
"retired".

The best part was it so ratty looking that none of the mechanics at the dealership would be seen asking to borrow it. To be honest most of them would not have understood how it worked anyhow LOL.
I'll just leave this here...

Member
Oct 28, 2013
273 posts
287 upvotes
Saskatoon
I've had great success with the pliers. They may be a little awkward in some tight places and take a couple of re-grips but they've never let me down.
Jr. Member
Aug 7, 2012
148 posts
334 upvotes
Pliers for Honda's all the way. Make sure you lube up the oil filter before you spin on the new one and you'll never have trouble taking it off.
Member
Jan 4, 2007
398 posts
121 upvotes
Vancouver
Don't forget to lubricate the filter gasket with a bit of oil for easier removal.
Sr. Member
Aug 25, 2019
995 posts
1092 upvotes
CanadianConsumerYEG wrote: https://www.napacanada.com/en/p/ECF7769017

This is the best tool that you can use to remove a stuck oil filter. Also works for any spin on filter. The only thing you need is a 1/2 drive ratchet or breaker bar to use this. The more you turn the tighter it gets.

Oil filter caps-
Image

Useless. Unless you work at a dealership and only use an OEM filter that are identical across 90% of the fleet. There are so many different shapes and sizes across oil filter manufacturers you'll just waste money and time.

Pliers
Image

Useless if the oil filter is in a hard to reach spot. Slips off easily. Need to maintain constant pressure as you turn.

Metal band
Image

Useless in hard to reach situations. Rarely do you have the right size, it's always too big or too small. Even if you get the right size, it often slips off.

Claw filter
Image

Works well most of the time but won't work on small filters or big filters.

Image

Grips well but won't work if the filter is in a hard to reach spot.

Save yourself $ and headache and buy the filter strap.
Excellent summary. Have tried most of these types but didn't even know this style existed. How long has this one been around?
"You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment." — Henry David Thoreau
Deal Addict
Feb 11, 2005
4213 posts
433 upvotes
Feel like some of these tools would not work or seriously mar up the plastic filter housing on my bmw.

Can easily justify the couple bucks for the proper oil filter cap from the savings of not having to go to the dealer for just 1 oil change.

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