My filter is between sizes for which they make fluted wrenches. I use a blue paper towel as a liner inside the wrench, drive it on with a dead blow hammer, then use a ratchet to loosen the filter. IF the filter were on real tight, I could use a breaker bar, as I'm sure the cast filter wrench could withstand a LOT of torque. And to install a new filter, I never use anything but my clean dry hand and moisten the gasket with new oil. I'm not a guerrilla, I'm a 5'4" man of 150 lbs. I've been changing my own oil and doing this for 40+ years and never had a leak...and every filter I've ever put on by hand takes a wrench to remove.
Originally Posted by Maddog3355
Another vote for a screwdriver hammered all the way through and clean up the mess.
If you're going to go this route, save yourself a big mess. Use a drain pan in position, use a hammer and nail or ice pick, knock a hole in the lowest part of the filter and let the oil drain, then drive your screwdriver through an empty filter. Lot less mess...