[181804]

I just changed my filter and it was jammed on hard too. I didn't have enough clearance under the filter to use the filter remover I have, so I just used some pliers I have in my toolbox. It was a piece of cake with these:

 

[181804]

‘The old Fram PH13 filters on my Chevy said to make contact and then an additional 3/4 turn. Based on the size of the Honda filters being smaller, I was doing 1/2 turn (and part of the reason I like a cap wrench). Too much?

Honda recommends 3/4 turn after contact.

 

[181804]

This baby works! USA-made and it "feels" like it - hardened steel, heavy and strong. Those teeth are razor sharp and will grip onto an oily filter case like a great white shark. Comes in two size ranges for various applications. Use with a 3/8 socket wrench.

I have a similar one that I couldn't get to fit on my Ridgeline. I could get the filter tool itself attached to the filter, but I couldn't get the clearance I needed to attach the socket wrench to it. That's why I ended up resorting to my Chanellocks, which did the job so simply and well I figured there's no point in buying a specialty tool!

 

[181804]

Yes, my gripe isn't getting the oil filter off, it's the mess along the subframe, etc. when taking it off. There's a lot of wiping off to do!

Once you have the filter loose (after 1/2 turn), just put a Ziploc bag over it and screw it off by hand. You'll have zero mess to clean up!

 

[181804]

I know what you mean about the thousand turns . I don't remove any clips at all - the filter is accessible enough from the left hand side of the plastic cover without removing it.

 

[181804]

Many people say they don't lift the vehicle when doing DIY oil changes.
Do you never rotate the tires as part of the routine maintenance?

I don't lift my vehicle for oil/filter changes, it's easy to do it without lifting. I rotate my tires based on mileage, which is not necessarily every oil change, however, if it did coincide, I'd still change the oil/filter separately.

 

[181804]

Why would you do it this way? So you'd crawl under the truck to drain the oil, then work around the tire to replace the filter. Then immediately after the oil change, jack up the truck to rotate the tires? If you need to do an oil change and tire rotation, why not do it at the same time? It would be more efficient and easier to reach the drain plug and the oil filter.

I don't go under the truck. I drain the oil using a fluid extractor and change the filter from the side of the car. I don't find it complicated at all. It's easy doing it like this and then checking the oil immediately after (all on flat ground).

If I was rotating the tires, I'd jack it up, put it on stands, rotate all 4 wheels and then drop it down. There is no overlap in the procedure so no need to do it at the same time or on the same day.

Do what works for you.