Do i really need a special tool for Oil filter change?

[eomak]

Hi, thinking of doing oil change and was wondering before i take out the filter do i need a special tool to get the filter out? And adding a oil addative like Slick 50 or prolong to protect engine is ok? thxs . Oh and one more thing i was putting the top into server mode for engine to check air filter my first time doing it and noticed while i try to align the top angle to get at the engine lid a thick cable looking wire that looked like i was cut in half sticking straight out on the out side just under the leftside rear window in the open where the all the top would folds into that area when down.Its looks like a cable wire because all the little wires are silver like a cable. Any idea what this could be and maybe y it is cut off from some place that conects to the truck area or down into engine area?