maybe the clip would help in preventing it to loose...

 

drained oil last week. could not get filter off. put in new oil. got new filter socket and changed filter today. oil on dipstick is gold. oil from filter drain is black. maybe filter was in bypass since it has been awhile since i changed oil. found o-ring was not in correct groove. but no leaks ever. housing design seems to compensate for o-ring error? got about 1/3 qt in pan. oil is black. but dipstick oil looks gold? odd.

 

did a trial fit of canister without filter element. o-ring stayed in groove just fine. turns out i probably did not have canister fully screwed on. i mentioned my cheap original stamped steel filter socket did not fit well and slipped a bit. new socket is great. filter bottoms out just fine. i can see how the small metal tab contacts the molded plastic ribs/nubs on body housing. yes i think it prevents the housing from loosening during driving.

 

If you still have the old oil, try dipping something metal into it like a spoon then compare the color with what you saw on the dipstick.

 

Oh man oil filter canisters...Gah....


Weight does make a big difference in my opinion stick with whats recommended. However if you used 5w20 vs 0w20 i wouldnt be to worried about it. 0w20 wouldnt be bad if you lived in cold climates. Once its heated up its a 20w either way you look at it. I would just change it back to 0w20 the next oil change other wise your wasting oil and money. I use synthetic so your talking 8$ a quart of oil.

Hand tighten then 1/4 to 1/2 turn by wrench ...Never over tighten...Specially the drain plug youll have to re-tapp the threads! That not fun unless you have a lift. Just my .02$

 

tightening an old style metal filter with gasket is different than tightening the new plastic body filters with o-ring. metal filters have a squish factor. 1/4 to 1/2 turn is done by feel. when the plastic filters tighten, you feel it bottom out. any more turning can crack the housing or damage the external threads. i see comments here that are meant for old style metal filters. this discussion is for the new style, plastic filter.

 

esobd2.com have this tool

 

Well, good resource of information regarding the oil filter housing replacement.

 

my filter on 2010 camry 4 cyl is way to tight. i just took off and thought i would break something. i installed 5000 miles ago and snugged till it met the engine block. it was hard to remove the last time and worse this time? should i take a turn or two off it now ? it would leave space between top of filter canister and block nutty design or me

 

Manual states screw on canister until contact with block then 3/4 turn.

The official tool has two handles like used on a tool to turn a water main valve.