I've got one of these (32mm)

 

 

can I safely replace my oil filter with that?  Or do I really need to go out and get one of these

 

 

Bit of a silly question, but I do not want to put myself in a position where I am stuck halfway through changing my oil...

You'll be fine.

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Sweet!

 

Shortest thread *ever*

Put a thin rag over the filter head to protect it if using the top socket in your pic. That's what I do.

I got a deep socket just this weekend and it was fine, was a 6 point not a 12 point though.

Put a thin rag over the filter head to protect it if using the top socket in your pic. That's what I do.

 

Hmm, not sure if I got thin rags...  tea-towel is about as thin I would have...  I can see why you do it though, it's much easier to 'round' the corners...

Yeah it needs to be. 36 tbh.

It's a 32mm.

Edited 24 July, 201312 yr by Phil-J

It could be either... They made both sizes on various engines either 32mm or 36mm

It depends on your car. I assume the op has measured his.

Yeah, took the caliper vernier to it and it's a 32mm cap.

They are very rarely 36mm though.

As follows a 6 point socket:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310648886440?var=610184203190&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

A 12 point 32mm socket WILL do the job, be careful when initially unscrewing, as well as retightening, to the edges of cap/nut.

I don't use a torque wrench to tighten the plastic oil filter cap/nut, it a question to tighten until you cannot easily turn the oil filter cap/nut, any further.

It's better to be on the slack side on tightening, and watch for leakage of engine oil escaping from the cap/nut, and nip-up if necessary.

Good luck 'Quinten'

But that wasn't the question

I just use a big adjustable - never had a problem

I just use a big adjustable - never had a problem

 

For the purpose of us non-mechanical minded people, a picture speaks a thousand words...  what is a big adjustable?

try large adjustable spanner or a stilson in ebay - it will give you the flexibility of various sizes rather than just have one option that a socket gives you -   

 

Looks very useful indeed...  something to buy for the future, thanks!

Does that go to the correct torque figure too?

Good point which reminds me to ask, what do you guys use for torque-ing these (and possibly other) up correctly?  I've got a wheel torque wrench, but I assume that's a bit too 'heavy handed' for this kind of thing?

people recon that its supposed to around 25Nm. so depends on how low your torque wrench goes really...

It may actually have the correct torque on the cap.

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Sorry, I'm looking for tool recommendations, not the torque setting

Use a torque wrench...

Ok, seems I am not asking the question correctly.

 

Does anyone have recommendations for a torque tool that I can add to my collection of tools that would be useful for torque-ing up nuts and bolts just like the oil filter cap, or sump plug, etc?

 

I have a torque wrench I use for my wheels, but that seems unwieldingly big for these kind of 'delicate' things...