What are car oil filters, and when should they be changed?
Without an oil filter, it is impossible to comprehend how a combustion engine works.
Everyone is aware of how important it is to maintain the engine in good condition, whether for safety, efficiency, or because the cost of replacing it is so high.
We are also aware that engine oil plays a vital role in ensuring proper lubrication, which is necessary for its operation.
However, if we take a step back and give it some thought, we realize that this oil might contain impurities that could result in damage. How can we find a solution to the problem? With the correct type of oil filter, of course.
This article will explain what an oil filter is, how it works, and how often it needs to be changed.
The topic of how it works is fascinating, and in this article, we will describe what an oil filter is, how it works, and how often it needs to be changed.
Read everything carefully before you do anything else because one mistake could have devastating consequences.
What exactly is a filter used for oil?
As its name implies, the oil filter plays the role of the component responsible for filtering any impurities that may be present in the engine oil.
Because the oil can contain anything from carbon or metal dust to dirt before returning to the engine’s lubrication circuit, and because these particles (typically generated from combustion or friction) end up damaging the machine, this is not a trivial matter.
In addition, one more significant issue is that the particles cause the filter to become clogged, which is a problem in and of itself. Then, we would be faced with the possibility of the engine seizing up or overheating.
When we conduct a more in-depth analysis of the dangers that the filter must contend with, we discover the following:
All of these problems ought to be remedied by a quality oil filter.
If there weren’t a filter, the engine would only have a short amount of time before it needed to be replaced.
Components that make up the oil filter
Oil filters are mainly manufactured with paper made of cellulose, cotton, and synthetic materials.
A metallic structure supports the form, preventing the article from deforming.
A filter is made up of many different components, each of which performs a particular task:
Different kinds of oil filters
Filters can be classified according to how they filter the oil and their composition. We have a partial flow filtration system, which is almost entirely outdated.
In this system, only 15 percent of the oil was filtered at a time, and it was used to filter the oil.
Full-flow filtration is the most common method, ensuring an exceptionally high level of cleanliness.
Heavy-duty diesel vehicles typically use a system called combined flow, a hybrid of the two approaches discussed previously and designed to trap a significant number of contaminants.
There are three distinct types of filters, each distinguished by the make-up of their construction:
When is the next time that the oil filter should be changed?
Given the significance of the oil filter, it is only natural for us to be curious about how frequently it needs to be replaced now that we are aware of its function.
There is no need to be concerned as the schedule is connected to an additional charge, namely the oil change.
We have already analyzed the intervals for changing the oil in another article, but let’s not forget that the oil in new cars should typically be changed between the first and second years (or between 15,000 and 30,000 kilometers) of ownership.
The manufacturers provide precise information regarding each oil and engine.
At this point, there are two things that we ought to be aware of: The first thing to take into consideration is that some filter manufacturers estimate that their products have a useful life of approximately 10,000 kilometers.
Because of this, it is vitally important not to extend the time between oil changes beyond what is recommended by the vehicle’s manufacturer, as doing so can have severe repercussions.
If the filter is supposed to be changed every 10,000 miles, but the oil is supposed to be changed every 30,000, it is best to change it first. The effectiveness of the filter will deteriorate over time.
The second question is directed toward individuals who perform their oil changes. You can find videos on Youtube that walk you through changing the filter.
On the other hand, if they do not believe that they can do it on their own, we take it to the mechanic and let him do it (perhaps some will tell us that they have to do both changes simultaneously).
The only thing that matters in either of these possibilities is that the filter is installed correctly and is high-quality.
How much does it cost to change the filter when the oil is being changed?
The filters are typically available for a very reasonable price, with a price range that typically falls between 6 and 15 euros.
Each model of the automobile has a unique filter that is tailored to it.
In addition, these components can be purchased from the official garages. Nevertheless, in this regard, we do not need to be afraid to buy filters from mechanical spare parts stores.
These stores will provide us not with the official filter but relatively compatible filters (it will be cheaper and work the same).
Additionally, compatible parts are used in a lot of the workshops.
In any event, we must purchase a good quality filter. The optimal measurement is thirteen grams of filtering capacity.
And this is one of the components: if we are not sure what we want to purchase, we should avoid buying online.
We are not talking about problems with the part’s quality; instead, we are talking about issues that will arise if the amount does not fit our engine correctly.
It is crucial to have a knowledgeable person on your team.
I change the filter on my own at home for the following reasons: Here are the following 6 steps:
We can change the filter on our own if we are confident in our abilities and have a fundamental understanding of mechanics (otherwise, as we have already said, let the mechanic do it).
The steps that need to be taken are as follows::
The procedure is straightforward, but you must remember that there is no room for error because the engine will be loaded. Therefore, take extreme caution.
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