Skip advert
Advertisement

Filter removal tool test

You can save money by changing your car’s oil and filter yourself, but you need a specialist tool to do it. We pick the best from 12.

01

One of the few jobs drivers can still do on modern cars is change the oil. However, a specialist tool is essential for removing the filter – and traditional strap-style devices have been joined by grips and pullers to make the job a little easier. So, which wrench is best? To find out, we tightened an oily filter and tried to remove it with each tool. Apart from looking at how easy it was to loosen the filter, we checked how much room each wrench required. And to establish our winner, we also factored in the sizes the tools could cope with, as well as the price.

Verdict

Clarke’s three-legged CHT241 is relatively cheap and works very effectively. Not even the slightly limited range could prevent it taking the win. In second place is the Draper 77592 chain wrench. It’s nearly as effective as a three-legged tool, and has a great budget price. The firm’s 37871 is third – it’s bulkier and less versatile.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Contacts

Draper/Elora - 023 8049 4333, www.draper.co.uk
Clarke – 01992 565300, www.clarkeinternational.com
Halfords - 08457 626625, www.halfords.com
Laser – 01926 815000, www.toolconnection.co.uk
Sealey – 01284 757500, www.sealey.co.uk

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,924 off RRP*Used from £11,932
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,200Avg. savings £4,670 off RRP*Used from £16,745
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,825 off RRP*Used from £8,688
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £4,364 off RRP*Used from £9,500
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer
Volvo EM90 - front

New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer

Volvo has made an ultra-luxurious van. Intrigued? You should be, but sadly it’s for China only
Road tests
16 Jun 2025
Smart Roadster could return as an electric Mazda MX-5 rival
Smart Roadster exclusive image

Smart Roadster could return as an electric Mazda MX-5 rival

The Smart Roadster could be set for a comeback and our exclusive image previews how it could look
News
16 Jun 2025
New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there’s a whole lot more too
Audi Q3 - front

New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there’s a whole lot more too

Audi’s not taking any risks with its all-new Q3; watch it sell like crazy
News
16 Jun 2025