Engine oil filter change is one of the most important and critical maintenance tasks for vehicles. Whether you do it yourself or have a quick lube shop handle the job, replacing your car's oil filter regularly is essential to keep your engine running at its best.
Oil filters are used to remove impurities from engine oil, such as dust, metal particles, carbon deposits, and soot particles, to protect the engine. Oil filters can be categorized into full-flow and bypass types. Full-flow filters are installed in series between the oil pump and the main oil passage, so they can filter all the lubricating oil that enters the main oil passage. Bypass filters are connected in parallel with the main oil passage and only filter a portion of the lubricating oil pumped out by the oil pump.
The purpose of oil filters is to filter out combustion pollutants, debris, and carbon deposits from the engine oil that lubricates internal engine components. The oil filter traps debris and pollutants before they pass through the filter, so they don't enter the engine and cause excessive wear, tearing, and damage.
Over time, the oil filter can become more clogged as it captures billions of particles and carbon dust. A clogged oil filter can reduce the amount of clean oil passing through the oil filter, so it's necessary to replace oil filters.
In today's high-performance engines, the old industry standard of changing oil and oil filters every 3,000 miles doesn't apply. Every car is different, but many manufacturers suggest intervals of 7,500 miles or more. Your owner's manual will provide recommendations on how often to change your oil and filter.
Your driving habits can also affect how often you change oil. If you frequently drive in the city or take short trips, you may need to replace oil filters more frequently than someone who drives frequently on highways. Towing, driving in extreme temperatures, or traveling in mountainous areas may also require more frequent engine oil filter changes.
The key for engine oil filter change is to replace them before they become so clogged or dirty that they damage the engine. Replacing oil filters with high-quality ones can help ensure the longevity of your engine.