When Should I Change My Oil Filter
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Changing the engine oil filter is one of the most important and critical maintenance items in a car. Whether you replace it yourself or let the quick Lube shop handle it, regularly changing your car oil filter is the most important thing to keep your engine running optimally.
When should I change my oil filter?
In today's high-performance engines, the old industry standard of changing oil and oil filters every 3,000 miles is no longer valid. Every car is different, but many manufacturers suggest intervals of 7,500 miles or more. Your car's owner's manual gives advice on how often to change the oil and filter.
Your driving habits can also affect how often you change your oil. If you drive a lot in the city or take short trips, you may need to change your oil filter more often than someone who drives primarily on the highway. Towing, driving in extreme temperatures or traveling in the mountains can also cause you to change your oil filters more frequently.
The key to replacing an oil filter is to change it before it gets clogged or so dirty that it damages your engine. Replacing the oil filter with a high quality oil filter will help ensure engine durability.
What does the oil filter do?
The function of an oil filter is to remove combustion pollutants, dirt, and carbon deposits from the oil that lubricates the internal parts of the engine. The oil filter blocks debris and contaminants before they pass through the filter and traps them so they don't find their way into the engine, leading to excessive wear, tear and damage inside the engine.
Why does my oil filter need to be changed regularly?
Over time, the oil filter becomes progressively more clogged as it traps billions of pollutant particles and toners. A blocked oil filter reduces the amount of clean oil that passes through the oil filter, making it necessary to replace it.
How do you know when your oil filter needs changing?
The oil filter is a permanently sealed metal device, so it's impossible to perform a visual inspection to determine when it needs to be replaced. No instruments, gauges or warning lights come on to tell you it's time to change the oil filter; You won't even notice the effect of a clogged or dirty oil filter on the engine. The effects of clogged or dirty filters may include all or some of the following.
Lack of engine lubrication
Premature engine wear
Internal engine damage
The loss of oil pressure
Even though your engine may be experiencing these problems internally, you may not realize until it's too late that your engine has been damaged.
Replace the oil filter as needed
Your engine needs a lot of clean oil to run properly. If the oil filter is not replaced regularly, the filter can become severely clogged, reducing the amount of oil that passes through the filter and into the engine. Without this oil, your engine will suffer serious damage.
As a measure to prevent clogging of the oil filter, advanced oil filters contain a bypass valve to regulate the oil pressure in the oil filter. If the oil filter is completely blocked, this bypass valve will open, allowing the oil to continue circulating into your engine. However, this oil will be dirty, unfiltered oil that bypasses the oil filter. Without this bypass valve, your engine would have terminal damage.
Learn more about quality oil filters, find your car parts, or find a local car repair shop today.