Here's the quick of the story. I was changing the oil on this car for the first time since I bought it, and apparently the previous owner really was nuts about getting the filter tight because my crappy filter wrench actually bent (!!!) trying to get the thing off. I really need the car for work tomorrow so I had no choice but to dump in the new oil since I had already drained the pan. What my question is, is there any way to swap out the filter without draining again or am I kinda SOL here? I've never had to do anything like this before when doing a routine job, lol...

By the way, can anyone recommend a filter wrench that aint gonna crap out on me like this one?

 

i don't see a problem with just removing the oil filter when you get a chance. all you will lose is 1/2 quart or a little more (depends on which oil filter you have on there now) so change filters then top off until full on dipstick. i always fill up filter with oil before installing. as far as filter wrench just get one that looks stout. make sure you are turning counter clockwise (from underneath looking up) hope this helps.

 

thanks much, that's what I figured but was just checking. I've done this kind of thing before but never encountered a filter that was on so tight it bent my wrench, lol.