SharonAndAdam.com

Just how many guys does it take

…to remove an oil filter from a Scion xB? Apparently at least two, and they must be equiped with a lot of tools. I have never dealt with such a stubborn filter in all my years of car maintenance experience. This was my first attempt at changing the xB’s oil after we had exhausted our three complimentary oil changes from the dealer.

I first tried loosening it by hand – which is really as tight as it needs to be – without success. Naturally, I then reached for my oil wrench to only soon discover that it was just slightly larger than the filter. I then knew I would need assistance.

I trotted over to the neighbors to ask Chris if he had a smaller wrench. What he had was an adjustable rubber strap wrench. Perfect. Or so I thought until the strap started slipping with each turn. We considered a few other tools we had on hand – channel locks, pipe wrench, rubber mallet – but there simply wasn’t enough room underneath the vehicle to maneuver these devices. Chris remembered that his grandfather once had success with this devilish device, so we made a quick run to AutoZone. $7 and 5 minutes later, the results were the same.

We then knew we had reached the point of no return.

With a mallet in hand and my approval, Chris drove a long screwdriver through the heart of that filter and the black liquid poured forth. Using the added leverage, we gave it another attempt to turn that thing free. No success. My heart sank. This was serious trouble. Following a quick prayer to our Lord, an idea come forth.

My friend once again grabbed the tool-of-terror, rammed one of the teeth into the filter’s fresh wound, pressed hard against it, and turned with all his might.

It gave away. It turned freely. It was off.

I can’t tell you how tempted I am to take this thing to the dealer and ask if this is the way all their filters look after they’re done with them.