Generally, an oil change is a straightforward and fast process, but that quick task can easily become a project when you can’t get that oil filter off.
But what causes the oil filter to get stuck in the first place? And more importantly, how do you get it off once it is stuck?
We’re going to cover three proven methods that will allow you to get your filter off quickly – and give you some advice on installing your new oil filter so you’re not even thinking about being right back here at your next oil change!
Why Won’t My Oil Filter Come Off?
Your oil filter may be stuck on for two main reasons.
- First, if you don’t put a thin layer of new oil around the filter’s O-ring, it may stick when you go to remove it.
- Second, if you put the oil filter on too tightly the first time you installed it, it will have further suction as soon as you start the engine, and will be incredibly hard to remove.
When you install the new oil filter, it should only be hand-tight; don’t use a filter wrench or anything like that, or you’re going to struggle removing the old filter.
While there isn’t anything you can do about this after the fact, when you eventually do get the old filter off, there are key things to keep in mind to ensure it doesn’t happen again!
Which Way Should an Oil Filter Unscrew?
Before you remove your oil filter, make sure you are not tightening it. You need to ensure that you are rotating the filter counterclockwise when viewing the filter.
The “righty-tighty, lefty-loosey” reference holds true for almost any item with threads that has the ability to be tightened/loosened, as is the case here.
An initial identification that you might be going the incorrect way will be if the filter turns, but does not progressively get “easier” to unscrew from the engine – to the contrary, it simply tightens as you have possibly tightened it.
You might assume you would personally never turn the filter backwards, but when you have to twist your body into all kinds of positions to get to a hard-to-reach filter, it can be much more challenging than seeing the filter straight on.
Are Oil Filters Reverse Threaded?
No, the oil filters on cars are not reverse-threaded. They are threaded the same way as other screws and bolts, clockwise to tighten and counterclockwise to untighten.
How to Get a Stuck Oil Filter Off
Once you’re certain the oil filter won’t turn off by hand, it’s time to move on to some other options to remove a seized oil filter. Below, we’ve laid out the three best methods, and when you might consider each one, to unstick an oil filter.
#1. Use an Oil Filter Wrench – (Best Method).
There is a reason oil filter wrenches exist: they work great to remove oil filters. They also come in different sizes, which can help if the oil filter is in a tight spot or you need a little extra leverage.
If you have a rubber gripper oil filter socket, and it keeps slipping off, you can always put a ring of sandpaper on the inside of the filter wrench to gain a little more grip. This brings us right to the next option.
#2. Unscrew with Sandpaper – (Cheap Method).
If you don’t want to spend a bunch of money, one of the oldest tricks in the book is wrapping sandpaper around the filter. This trick is very effective because it works in the most cramped spots.
Not only that, but most people have sandpaper just lying around, and if you don’t, it’s not really expensive.
The grit from the sandpaper grips the filter and helps to unscrew it. Better yet, you can either do this trick by hand or you can still use a filter wrench, giving you the best of both worlds!
#3. Screwdriver and Hammer – (Last Resort).
Sometimes, no matter what you do, the filter will begin crushing before twisting off. In such cases, the only guaranteed way to get your filter off is to use a screwdriver and hammer.
Depending on where the oil filter is, this can be harder to do, and keep in mind it’s going to make a mess, so keep an oil pan or two, and a few PIG mats handy. All you do is hammer a long flat-head screwdriver right through the old oil filter.
Once you have punched through and hit the bottom of the oil filter, simply twist the screwdriver, and you should have enough leverage to pull the old filter off.
Be sure to screw the screwdriver through as high as possible on the old filter, as this reduces the chance of the old filter shearing off. If the filter does start to shear, stop what you’re doing and go back to the oil filter wrench, wrapping it as high as you can on the filter.
If at this point you still can’t get it, you can shear the rest of the old filter off before using vice grips and a hammer to work off the rest of the filter, just know this won’t be easy either, so only shear-off the bottom of the oil filter, if you have no other option.