Performance Tool Oil Pressure Switch Socket

Performance Tool Oil Pressure Switch Sockets: Precision-Built for the Job

Swapping an oil pressure switch sounds simple until you realize a standard socket won't get close to one buried against a block or surrounded by wiring. That's exactly the problem that Performance Tool engineered their dedicated oil pressure switch sockets to solve — giving both professional technicians and serious DIYers a clean, damage-free path to one of the most access-challenged sensors on the engine.

Two Targeted Sockets, Broad Domestic Coverage

Performance Tool offers two purpose-built oil pressure switch sockets that together cover a wide swath of domestic vehicles:

• W80590 — Fits 1-inch and 1-1/16-inch oil pressure switches on 1991 and newer GM 4-cylinder and 3.1-liter V6 engines, as well as 1987 and newer Chrysler vehicles. This socket can accommodate oil pressure sending units up to 2-5/8 inches long, providing versatility for a range of sending unit lengths. It is designed for use with a 3/8-inch drive ratchet or a 1-1/8-inch wrench.
• W80591 — Fits 1-3/16-inch size units on 1987-to-current GM vehicles, including Chevy, Buick, Cadillac, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac with 2.0, 2.5, 2.8, and 3.0-liter engines. This socket is compatible with a 1/2-inch drive ratchet or 7/8-inch wrench, making it a versatile choice for the garage or workshop.

Rather than forcing mechanics to improvise with ill-fitting tools that can crack brittle plastic switch bodies or strip soft hex fittings, each Performance Tool socket is engineered to match the exact geometry of its target switch family.

Heat-Treated Alloy Steel Construction

Performance Tool oil pressure switch sockets are constructed using high-quality, heat-treated alloy steel. This treatment process hardens the steel at the molecular level, giving the socket the toughness to break loose corrosion-seized switches without deforming under torque — a real-world concern when a sensor has been in the block for years. The size of each socket is clearly marked on the side, making it easy to locate in a busy toolbox.

Why Use a Dedicated Oil Pressure Switch Socket?

Oil pressure switches and sending units are threaded directly into the engine block or oil gallery, meaning they are subject to heat cycles, vibration, and corrosion over thousands of miles. Attempting removal with an open-end wrench or a mismatched socket risks rounding the hex, cracking the switch body, or damaging the wiring pigtail. A purpose-built socket, like those in the Performance Tool lineup, wraps around the full hex profile and provides a controlled grip — protecting both the component and the surrounding wiring harness during installation and removal.

Built for the Working Mechanic

Wilmar, LLC — the company behind Performance Tool — was founded in 1971 and is based in Kent, Washington. By providing quality tools, great service, and innovative packaging and product support, Wilmar has become one of the leading distributors of professional tools in North America. That legacy of accessibility and value is evident in the W80590 and W80591: straightforward, no-frills tools built to the specification the job demands, at a price point that makes stocking both a sensible choice for any shop or home garage focused on domestic vehicle repair.