4 Ways To Remove An Oil Filter Without Special Tool, DIY - in 4K UHD
4 Ways To Remove An Oil Filter Without Special Tool, DIY - in 4K UHD
Overview
Most times the engine oil filter is not too hard to remove, but occasionally you may encounter a very difficult one. When that happens, if you can’t locate your best special oil filter wrench or you don’t have another driveable car to run to the store, this video should help you. It would be nice if you can make use of the tools you already have in your garage. Depending on what items you have and the kind of car you have, I will show you 4 different ways to remove a stuck engine oil filter. Again it should not cost you much. Note that your garage may have somewhat different items, in which case my video will inspire you to find your own solutions.
Note that tools for oil changing are not that expensive. However, if you can’t locate them or if you don’t DIY often, simple tools shown in this video could come in handy. If you do change your own engine oil often, then investing in better tools may not be a bad idea.
High definition video may help you see all of this better. This video is shot in the 4K UHD setting (if you have 4K TV, you may select this Youtube Setting/Quality).
To see the details of some of the tools I made, please watch the following videos:
The Cheapest Oil Change Using Zero-Cost DIY Tools - in 4K UHD
How to Raise or Lift a Car without Jack without Stand
4 Ways To Make An Engine Oil Funnel & 2 Ways To Pour Oil
Tags
Jack Stand
Oil Pan
Oil Filter Wrench
Oil Funnel
Oil Change
Cheapest Way
Engine Oil Change
DIY
Zero Cost
Motor Oil
Alternative Methods
There is more than one way to approach this task. Here are the most common methods, ranked by difficulty and cost.
Traditional Drain Method
Drive onto ramps or use jack stands, locate the drain plug, remove it, drain oil into a catch pan, replace filter, refill.
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Estimated Cost: $25-$50 for oil and filter
- Notes: Most thorough drain; requires getting under the car
Oil Extractor/Vacuum Method
Use a hand pump or electric extractor to pull oil through the dipstick tube without getting under the vehicle.
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Estimated Cost: $30-$60 for extractor + oil
- Notes: No need to lift the car; slightly less complete drain
Quick Lube Service
Drive into a quick-lube shop for a full-service oil change completed in 15-30 minutes.
- Difficulty: Beginner-friendly
- Estimated Cost: $40-$100
- Notes: Fast and convenient; may upsell unnecessary services
Tips and Common Mistakes
Avoid these pitfalls and use these tips to get the job done right the first time.
- Always warm the engine for 2-3 minutes before draining — warm oil flows out more completely.
- Use the oil weight and type specified in your owner’s manual, not what is cheapest on the shelf.
- Hand-tighten the oil filter — over-tightening makes it nearly impossible to remove next time.
- Double-check the drain plug torque after refilling to prevent leaks.
- Run the engine for 30 seconds after refilling, then recheck the oil level — it will drop as the filter fills.
- Never mix conventional and synthetic oil types unless your manual specifically allows it.
- Keep a drain pan under the vehicle for 10 extra minutes — the last drops always come out slowly.
- Dispose of used oil properly at any auto parts store — they accept it for free.
Tools and Materials
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Engine oil (4-6 quarts) | $20-$40 |
| Oil filter | $5-$15 |
| Oil drain pan | $8-$15 |
| Socket wrench or oil filter wrench | $5-$20 |
| Funnel | $3-$5 |
| Rags or shop towels | $5-$10 |
| Ramps or jack and jack stands | $25-$80 |
| Nitrile gloves | $5-$10 |
When to Take It to a Mechanic
While oil changes are one of the simplest DIY maintenance tasks, consult a mechanic if:
- The oil looks milky or foamy — this can indicate coolant mixing with oil due to a blown head gasket.
- You find metal shavings on the drain plug — internal engine wear may be occurring and needs investigation.
- The oil pressure light comes on even after a fresh change — the oil pump, pressure sensor, or internal passages may be failing.
- You cannot locate or access the drain plug — some modern vehicles have underbody panels that require special tools.
- The vehicle burns oil rapidly (needing top-offs between changes) — piston rings or valve seals may need attention.
Video Tutorial
For the full video tutorial, visit Genius Asian.
Related Articles
Continue learning with these related guides:
- Car Maintenance Complete Guide
- EV Buying Guide 2026
- Dodge Caravan Changing the Oil Pressure Switch
- How to Change Engine Oil For Honda Accord
- 4 Ways To Make An Engine Oil Funnel & 2 Ways To Pour Oil
This article was originally published on cartrek.com on 2015-03-31. Content has been updated and expanded for 2026.