Among the maintenance tools, nothing has more variety than oil filter wrenches. Their concepts are divided into two categories. When a spin-off type oil filter (center in the above picture) is replaced with a new one, the whole case of it (60-100 millimeters in diameter) should be removed.

The first concept is that one wrench can be adjusted to various diameters of filters to properly turn them. The filter cases are fixed not so tightly that they apparently can be turned by hand. But maintenance tools are needed to loosen them. A band-type wrench (left in the above picture) automatically narrows its diameter when it is turned to one direction. It’s made of various materials such as rubber, nylon, and chains. There is no definite answer to which one to choose. A plier-type wrench (right in the above picture) holds the filter while denting its cassette because the cassette is disposable. To extend this idea, some people stick a screwdriver into the cassette to turn it.

The other concept is to make a different tool so it can fit a different object. As the upper part of filters is made with a polygon with 14 to 15 sides, ready-made cup-type wrenches are used to turn the filters depending on their sizes. One type is enough if you carry out an oil change for one car. As the required tightening torque is low, the cup-type tools are made by simple press molding (front in the picture) or aluminum casting (back right in the picture). Plastic tools are also available (back left in the picture).

You can devise various ways of using a tool or prepare various tools for different sizes. The solution depends on your preferences.

Takayoshi Mugikura

Product Design Dept.

Design Director