"If you need a wrench it was installed too tight". Snug it then turn it another 1/4 turn at the very most. To remove it you only need a little elbow grease not a wrench. I've had occasions, when others have done the oil, where I needed to either use one of my wrenches or pierce it with a screw-driver but that only happens once for me.

 

I used to do the same thing, I would just wash my hands and clean the oil filter with degreaser when it was time to remove it. Untill I read on S2ki that someones car caught fire on the highway because their oil filter came off and the hot oil ignited their car. Then I believe I read in my s2k's service manual that you should always tighten the filter 9/10th's of a turn after it's snug. Last thing you need is your car up in flames because of the rare instance that the oil filter backed out.. Most new cars position the oil filter in a way where it'll spray oil down and away from the car in this type of situation.

 

I did my first oil change on Saturday, and was not able to remove the filter by hand. I used a tool I've had for years which consists of a short flat handle with a loop of what looks like bicycle chain attached. It bent the filter, but finally broke it loose. That thing was TIGHT. I wonder how many changes it had where the filter wasn't changed. The oil looked thicker than the 0-20, too.

If you can't find something like this, how about a small strap tool?

Sam

 

I use the socket-mounted Honda oil filter wrench and I have no problems removing the filter with it.

I attach the wrench to the socket handle before attempting to slide it into place, so you might try that. It is a tight fit, but I had about 30 degrees of 'play' to work with which let me loosen/tighten the filter.

I got it at H&A along with a bunch of filters when I first bought my car.

Honda Insight Accessories - Genuine Factory Honda Accessories

 

I don't know if this is typical but I only hand tighten my filter but every time I go to remove it, it is on tight enough I need the wrench. I'm guessing it has something to do with the thermal cycling the surfaces go through.

Art, are you removing the small skid-plate deflector centered behind the bumper? I have the filter end cap and though there isn't much room to swing the handle I can loosen the filter okay. And this is with the slightly longer than stock filter length installed. The lower radiator hose is the main impediment...

 

I don't know if this is typical but I only hand tighten my filter but every time I go to remove it, it is on tight enough I need the wrench. I'm guessing it has something to do with the thermal cycling the surfaces go through.

That describes my situation exactly.

Art, are you removing the small skid-plate deflector centered behind the bumper?

No, because it appears to use some of those breakable plastic "rivets" at some of the attachment points. One of them has already broken and fell out, so I don't want to break any more.

I have the filter end cap and though there isn't much room to swing the handle I can loosen the filter okay.

The problem that I have is that my end cap wrench has a 3/8" square hole, but I have only 1/4" and 1/2" socket wrenches. So I have to use a 1/2"-to-3/8" adaptor which positions the socket wrench too far toward the front of the car to be able to rotate is sufficiently to loosen the filter.

I know that a band-type filter wrench can work, so the best solution is probably for me to buy a smaller band-type filter wrench that will grip the 2.7" diameter Insight filter.

 

I have a band filter wrench that is about 30 years old that I use. It is almost too small, but works. It was make for removing screw on cannister type gasoline fuel filters. I will look this week-end to see if it has a part number on it

 

In every situation where I tightened my own oil filter, I have been able to get the filter off again without a wrench. It's a bit weird with the rubber gasket because you can torque it with your wrist and it seems like its going nowhere but when you stare at the can next to the mating surface it's actually moving.

2/3 turns is normally within spec. Sometimes up to 3/4 turn if it was feeling like it was looser than usual. Never had a leak and they come back as tight as I left them every time with them coming off.

When I changed my oil on the Insight for the first time I didn't take the front panels off from under that area and used the proper sized rubbermaid top to keep oil off the car and pulled the filter. Big enough oil pan will catch the fluid that overflows from the edge of the top but with my Fumoto valve and the filter figured out, I could have oil changed super fast and without much to clean up. I almost can't wait until I change my oil next but instead will be sampling and going from there. Currently considering departure from Mobil 1 based on the last sample, the current oil change interval will confirm my decision and if the next oil after that is a winner then I'm done with Mobil 1.

Back on topic though, I guess I'm just not seeing the reason why you'd need a filter wrench but my experiences are obviously different. I don't even own an oil wrench for this filter size.

 

its on to tight...

Stab the side of the filter with a screwdriver and hammer and break it loose by leveraging the screwdriver ( yes its messy). Once you get it moved slightly, you will be able to hand wrench it off. Be sure to get the old filter gasket off...ask me how I know. When installing the new one put a small bit of oil on the new gasket and then do as other have said, hand tight only.

Id recommend against using a oil filter wrench because you can put it on to tight with a wrench.

 

You could also just pick up a 3/8" ratchet handle for a few bucks.

 

The band type filter wrench that I use is a KD 192.

It was made for cartridge type fuel filters of decades ago, but it
works perfectly on the Insight oil filter.

 

Oil filter replacement

I use a large channel lock pliers, opened to the appropriate size, and grab the end of the filter. I always change mine by reaching in from the top, its a little tight but much eaiser than removing the bottom panels. I use a cut off plastic container to catch the oil and set the filter in, then slide it out through the opening under the oil pan. With the Fumoto valve, and this method, oil and filter changes are a snap.