What Size Oil Filter Wrench Do I Need?

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An oil filter wrench loosens and tightens an automobile’s oil filter cartridge. Now you may ask, “what size oil filter wrench do I need?”

A properly sized facilitates the removal and replacement of an old or clogged filter, allowing the engine to filter its own oil properly. So, you must choose the right size wrench.

This article will answer your question in detail to help you choose your one.

What Size Oil Filter Wrench Do I Need?

There is no particular answer to this question. Because the size depends on the brand of your automobile and the size of oil filters they use.

Most modern autos necessitate that this device comes in a variety of sizes to accommodate the many sorts of filters they may employ.

However, the majority will have at least three sizes, typically labeled “small,” “medium,” and “large.”

Although there are just three standard sizes, different circumference measurements are frequently used to identify filters.

The Different Sizes Of Oil Filter Wrenches

The 3/4″

The 3/4″ wrenches only work with standard oil filters with four sides that spin on. They don’t work with the bypass filters that our Ford engines use. 

Most of the time, the 5/8″ wrench is too big for the small filter canister on Ford trucks. The 3/4″ is the best size for this car.

If you have a Ford truck or SUV that was made before 1998, it’s likely that your oil filter is in this group.

The 13/16″

The 13/16″ is the next size up. On some of our GM cars, they are used more often.

When compared to a Ford or Dodge, the oil filter canister is usually more square, so they use this larger size more. 

This wrench will fit around most filters, even some of the bigger ones, which are also called “High Flow” filters.

The 7/8”

The 7/8″ wrench is next. It can fit around even larger filters, like the ones in our Dodge trucks, and some V8 engines that use them, like our classic Corvettes and the Viper engine.

This size is also used by Fords, but not as often. A 5/8″ or 7/8″ wrench will be needed for many small cars.

The 1-Inch

The 1-inch size is mostly used on engines with larger oil filter canisters, like some of our V6 and V8 engines that have the filters mounted on top of the engine, away from the front.

Some 4.6L, 5.4L, and 6.8L Ford engines and the Buick 3800 series are also good examples.

From the picture, you can see that this wrench is much bigger than the others. This gives it a lot of leverage when you use it on these filters.

The 15/16″

The last size is 15/16″, which is used on most Chrysler products, like our new Hemi trucks and some Dodges with V8, 4.7L V8, and VVT (variable valve timing) engines up to 2011.

 It’s not very common, but we’ve put it here in case you ever need one of these wrenches for this type of filter.

What To Choose The Right Oil Filter Wrench?

When picking the right size oil filter wrench, there are four things to think about.

• Which model of car you have
• How big the filter is
• The area around it in the engine of the car
• How well the oil filter fits where it is

For some cars, you need a certain kind of wrench to get to the oil filter. If you need a wrench for a specific car, it is easier to look for that model.

But if you have more than one car and want a wrench that can be used on all of them, you might need a universal wrench.

Some of the wrenches in this group are the pliers, the swivel-grip wrench, and the strap wrench.

Also, don’t forget to get an adjustable wrench, which can be set to fit any size of the oil filter.

Whether you’re using a socket or cup wrench, it’s easy to figure out the right size. The easiest way is to get the specifications for the oil filter and look for the right size. 

Once you know what you need to know, you can buy the right size.

But if you can’t find the details, do these things:

1. Count how many flutes are on the oil filter cap.
2. From one edge to the other, measure your oil filter.
3. Get an oil filter cap wrench with the same number of flutes as the oil filter cap, but with a larger inner diameter.

That’s how you figure out what size wrench you need if you’re using a socket wrench.

You can also use a socket wrench or a wrench that looks like a spider to change an oil filter in a small space.

 But if you don’t need to save space, you can use any wrench you have.

FAQs about the oil filter wrench

Final Thoughts

Now you know the answer of, “ what size oil filter wrench do I need?” If you want your vehicle to work properly at all times, the engine needs to be in pristine condition at all times.

 One of the ways that this may be ensured is by ensuring that the motor oil is clean and free with the help of the correct wrench.

You are now aware of how to determine the appropriate size for your oil filter. To ensure that your car continues to function properly, you need regularly replace the oil filter.