You may be aware of the importance of using a high-quality oil in your vehicle, but were you aware that the type of oil filter that’s used is equally important? If you don’t change the oil frequently enough or use a motor oil of lesser quality, the life of your engine will be compromised. The same holds true for the quality of the oil filter that is used. So, what’s so important about the oil filter? We’ll explain it all in this blog post.
The oil lubricates the engine parts. Vital to engine life. The oil filter plays an equally vital role in protecting your vehicle’s engine from premature wear and failure. As your car engine runs, little pieces of metal will chip off various engine parts. The oil filter is responsible for cleaning the oil as it circulates through to the engine so these little bits of metal don’t cause additional damage to the engine.
You can save a few bucks on an oil filter, but it could cost you thousands in engine repairs if an oil filter comes apart or gets dirt in the system. In the first picture (the oil filter on the left), the paper element had blown out sending debris through the engine, and of course, no longer filtered the oil. The second picture shows how the filter on the right started collapsing which caused the height to shorten. If a low-quality oil filter does something like this in your vehicle, you’ve got a real mess on your hands.
When it comes to replacing oil filters, change them whenever you have the oil changed. If you regularly drive towing heavy loads, in stop-and-go traffic or in extreme weather conditions, it’s a good idea to change your oil and filter more frequently. Your technician at Shade Tree Garage can let you know the best oil and filter change schedule for your vehicle and the conditions under which you drive.
So now you know why the quality of an oil filter is important. Have more questions? Feel free to ask us the next time you bring your vehicle in for service. Click here to schedule your next oil and oil filter change now.