# Oil changes and used cars **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 17, 2025, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-changes-and-used-cars/1013077 "2025-01-17T13:57:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2025, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-changes-and-used-cars/1013077/41 "2025-01-24T13:44:26Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > > [@pullin](#): > > > > If possible, I claim a need to use the restroom so I can get inside too. > > Don’t mean to hijack, but do people actually let you, a total stranger, into their house? That’s not something I would do. Sorry about the late response… Usually they’re OK with it. Typically one drives a significant distance here (TX) while shopping and after some time looking at the vehicle, I’ll either need to run to a nearby restaurant or use the owner’s facilities. It’s probably in their best interest to keep me and my wallet there. I have no problem with letting strangers use my bathroom while they’re here, whether contractors or a prospective vehicle buyer - I figure I kinda invited them so I ought to provide at least that level of courtesy. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2025, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-changes-and-used-cars/1013077/42 "2025-01-24T16:16:21Z")
> [@pullin](#): > > I have no problem with letting strangers use my bathroom while they’re here, whether contractors or a prospective vehicle buyer Contractors I don’t have a problem with. Last month, I let the guys who were cutting down my tree use my bathroom. It’s obviously in their best interest to not do anything nefarious. But a possible buyer of my used car, who I don’t know at all? Don’t think so. There’s a couple of convenience stores within a couple of miles. ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2025, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-changes-and-used-cars/1013077/43 "2025-01-27T18:14:53Z")
The oil change place seems to use a gorilla to put the filter on. I really have to haul on the strap-type filter tool to get it to move (cant use the bike-chain type as not enough clearance). Hammering a screwdriver thru the filter and using that as a lever is the last resort (messy). ---
**Author:** ![sb1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@sb1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sb1953)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2025, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-changes-and-used-cars/1013077/44 "2025-01-27T18:19:58Z")
I love the screwdriver solution though! Thought I was the only one who had to resort to that! ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2025, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-changes-and-used-cars/1013077/45 "2025-01-27T18:22:22Z")
I have at least a dozen tools for removing oil filters, including [a kit containing (big) sockets](https://www.amazon.com/BETOOLL-HW0103-Aluminum-Removal-Storage/dp/B00QWE182W/). But over the past couple of years my “go-to” tool has been [a pair of pliers specifically designed for oil filters](https://www.amazon.com/WORKPRO-W114083A-Oil-Filter-Pliers/dp/B07H4PB5QM/). ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2025, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-changes-and-used-cars/1013077/46 "2025-01-27T18:23:12Z")
Can’t use that, not enough clearance. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2025, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-changes-and-used-cars/1013077/47 "2025-01-27T21:55:57Z")
> [@sb1953](#): > > love the screwdriver solution though! Thought I was the only one who had to resort to that! I had to do that on my motorcycle. The filter is inset into the engine in such a way that the strap wrenches and pliers can’t get in there, and I couldn’t find an oil filter socket that fit. One size was too small, and the next larger just slipped when turning. The screwdriver thing also barely worked, in that the filter was on so tight that the screwdriver just ripped through the oil filter metal instead of twisting it. One of those things that turns a 20 minute oil change into a three hour job, and why I hate working on cars/bikes. I replaced it with one of those K&N filters with a nut welded to the bottom. We’ll see if that makes it any easier to remove. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2025, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-changes-and-used-cars/1013077/48 "2025-01-27T22:20:33Z")
I tried the “screwdriver” back in 2018 when I was trying to remove the oil filter from a 2005 Saab I just bought. Didn’t work as well as I thought it would. Shortly thereafter I purchased some better tools for removing filters. [![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54292217465_356f6b0f33_c.jpg) ](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54292217465_356f6b0f33_c.jpg) [![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54292217425_cf97c05e70_c.jpg) ](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54292217425_cf97c05e70_c.jpg) I don’t know why some people find it necessary to tighten them so damn tight. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2025, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-changes-and-used-cars/1013077/49 "2025-01-27T23:27:19Z")
They’re afraid of leaks. Or of catastrophic oil loss if the filter backs off and falls off. So rational, if stupid. IOW: just because a wrench is easy to operate, doesn’t mean it’s easy to use properly. Lotta DIYers don’t understand that distinction. Whether wrenching on engines or painting a bedroom. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2025, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-changes-and-used-cars/1013077/50 "2025-01-30T00:42:31Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > They’re afraid of leaks. Right. But apparently they’re not aware that simply hand-tightening an oil filter is perfectly fine, and will not leak. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2025, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-changes-and-used-cars/1013077/51 "2025-01-30T00:50:28Z")
Overtightening is ignorance. With all that implies. Sigh. Whaddayagonnado? ---
**Author:** ![sb1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@sb1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sb1953)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2025, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-changes-and-used-cars/1013077/52 "2025-01-31T21:37:48Z")
maybe they made the mistake I made several years ago. In stead of using fresh motor oil to lube the rubber seal before tightening it I used axle grease. It weded the seal to the motor-seal- surface. I am back to using motor oil ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2025, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-changes-and-used-cars/1013077/53 "2025-01-31T21:58:47Z")
It’s not _always_ the gorilla thing: > **[What to Do If Your Oil Filter Is Stuck and Won’t Come Off](https://www.fram.com/vehicle-maintenance-center/post/oil-filter-is-stuck-and-wont-come-off)** > > The oil filter is stuck and won’t come off? Here’s why this happens, how to remove it, and tips to prevent it from getting stuck before your next oil change. Also, while it’s a bit of an aside, I’m not _entirely_ comfortable with the ‘gorilla’ reference used in this context. My fourth great-grandfather was a silverback, and – while not particularly _strong_ – he _was_ family. Grandma always told me that I’m only the second generation in my family ‘tree’ to (mostly) walk upright. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2025, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-changes-and-used-cars/1013077/54 "2025-02-04T12:02:41Z")
Over-tightening can cause leaks, though, by warping the gasket. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-changes-and-used-cars/1013077.md?page=2)