JIS versus Phillips Head Screw Drivers (Japanese Vehicles)

After a few years of working on Japanese vehicles, I finally realized the Phillips head screws that I've been sometimes stripping are not really Phillips head screws at all. It turns out that Japanese equipment uses screws that are built to the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) B 1012 specification.

These screws look like a Phillips screw, but are designed not to cam out and will, therefore, be damaged by a Phillips screwdriver under high torque. JIS screw heads are usually identifiable by a single dot or an "X" to one side of the cross slot.

This thread provides information about the difference between JIS and Phillips screws with examples of recent JIS driver purchases.

Let's start by watching a video that describes the difference between a JIS and Phillips driver.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEwVUZr5xxQ

The Vessel ratcheting driver set turned out to be the most useful because it contains 1/4 bits that I can use with my existing offset driver set. The Vessel #2 and Hozan drivers are great for regular use. In the next picture, I will show how I recently used the Vessel set to remove the MAF screws.

Here's a picture of the Vessel #2 driver that I used to remove the MAF screws.




Conclusion:

If you plan to work on Japanese vehicles, you will benefit from having a JIS driver set in your toolbox.

Having the right tool to do the job will save time and avoid problems associated with using a Phillips driver on Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) screws.

 

I very much second vessel for these screw drivers, only screws ive stripped with mine are carburetor bowls that were basically rust welded to the bowl.

 

I have been using them for years .

I think a must have for Toyota`s

 

How very obscure! Who knew?

 

Must have if working on Japanese Bikes as well, stripped all bolts in my WR450F the other day - bought one of these the next day.

 

Added to Amazon shop cart, thanks for sharing.

 

Fun bit of info, Phillips screws were developed prior to the existence of accurate torque limiting tools specifically to cam out at high torques to prevent damage to the screw and piece being assembled. Camming out isn't a flaw, it's a feature!

Given that manufactures now have access to accurate torque limiting tools, it's curious to see these still being specified in automotive applications given this propensity.