- Image via Wikipedia
When The Time Comes To Replace Your Car’s Oil Filter
A lot of drivers are unaware about the way oil enters their engines. They realize their engines require oil in order to perform effectively. They also realize that without it, the moving parts inside the assembly will suffer damage – sometimes, to the point of needing major repairs. But how does the fluid flow into the engine in the first place?
Located under the assembly is a pan (called a sump). This is where oil sits when your car is turned off. In the sump is a sump strainer that sends oil under pressure into the oil filter. The filter has a canister-like form. Oil from the sump travels along its inner wall before it is pushed to the filter media (located in the center of the canister). Once the fluid moves past the media, it enters the engine – still under pressure – and flows throughout the assembly.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the reason the oil filter needs to be replaced periodically. We’ll also explain how to choose a replacement that sufficiently protects your vehicle’s engine.
Why Oil Filters Need To Be Changed
When oil is pushed through the filter’s media, it leaves behind dirt, tiny metal fragments, and other contaminants. If these contaminants were allowed to gain access to your engine, they would cause premature wear. Thus, the media has a critical job to perform.
Over time, however, the dirt and debris accumulate in the media. This obstructs the flow of clean oil, which in turn prevents your engine from receiving the fluid it needs for lubrication. To prevent this problem from damaging the assembly, oil filters are equipped with a bypass valve. If the media becomes clogged, the valve opens to allow pressurized fluid to enter the engine. The problem here is that the oil that passes through the valve contains contaminants. As mentioned, these contaminants will cause premature wear.
Most auto technicians recommend changing the filter whenever you change your car’s oil. Unfortunately, a lot of drivers neglect to do so. Moreover, many “bargain-priced” oil-change shops won’t install a replacement filter because doing so cuts into their profit margin. The result is that the media becomes increasingly clogged until the bypass valve opens to allow dirty (i.e. contaminant-filled) fluid into the engine.
Plan to change the filter every 5,000 miles, or at the interval suggested in your owner’s manual. It costs less than $15. The key is choosing a high-quality replacement.
Selecting A High-Quality Replacement Filter
Even though oil filters appear identical on the outside, they are often different on the inside. One notable difference is in the size of the filter media. In some, the media may be 40 percent larger than the media in others. This means it has more capacity to catch debris as pressurized oil moves through it. The filter will last longer, and offer better protection for your engine.
Another important difference involves the material from which the media is made. Some are equipped with a paper-based media laced with resin that captures contaminants. Others are designed with a glass fiber media. This latter material can catch much smaller debris. This means your engine is better protected.
How To Replace The Oil Filter
In most cases, the old filter will have a thin coat of fluid on it. This makes it difficult to remove by hand. You’ll likely need a special wrench that is designed to work with this component. Wear gloves, and use a towel to wipe down the filter prior to its removal.
Put a bowl or other container underneath the filter to catch oil. Then, put the wrench in place, and remove the part. Turn it upside-down, and place it in the bowl to let it drain.
Before installing the replacement, use a towel to wipe down the posting threads. You should be able to screw the replacement on by hand. Tighten it down.
Given how easy it is to replace an oil filter, do so every time you change the fluid. It is one of the best investments you can make in the longevity of your vehicle’s engine.
Related articles
- Advice On When To Change Your Transmission Fluid (frommyexperience.com)
- Q & A #71 With The Auto Specialist (partsandautos.com)
- Guide To Automotive Parts That Will Eventually Fail (carslikeus.com)
- Troubleshooting Your Vehicle’s Air Conditioning System (carpartsforus.com)
No comments yet.