What do engine oil filters do?
Over time, contaminants can find their way into your engine’s oil. These contaminants can rub against various parts of your engine, causing them to wear much quicker. The purpose of an oil filter is to remove these contaminants from the engine, improving its health and increasing your engines lifespan.
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How do oil filters work?
An oil filter is a can-shaped object which is usually filled with synthetic fiber or a similar filter material. The base of the filter has several perforated holes where oil can pass through. As the oil passes through the filter, contaminants such as dirt and grit are picked up by the filter material. This prevents them from flowing back into your engine and causing damage.
When to replace the oil filter?
Eventually, the filter will become too blocked to function correctly. This is due to various contaminants becoming stuck in the filter. If the filter is blocked, these contaminants will continue to move around your engine, causing damage to various parts over time.
Most mechanics will suggest that your car’s oil and filter should be changed at the same time, once every 10,000 km or 1 year.
What type of filter is best?
Many people choose to use the cheapest oil filter for their cars. However, this is not always the best idea. The quality of a filter can be measured by how much contaminants it picks up (effectiveness) or how long it lasts (lifespan).
Effectiveness
Filter manufacturers use a variety of different filter fillings to keep the oil clean. Lower priced filters use cellulose fibers to trap contaminants. This allows for the filter to trap 97.5% of contaminants. Higher quality filters use a mixture of cellulose fibers and synthetic fibers. This allows for effectiveness of up to 99.5%.
The 2 percent difference between these filter type may not seem like much, but if two percent of the contaminants that enter your engine can’t be removed, they can still cause damage to engine components, especially over long periods of time.
Lifespan
It is important that your filter lasts the test of time. The longer its lifespan, the longer it can continue to pick up contaminants before becoming clogged or blocked. Ideally, your oil filter should be able to last for at least 10,000 km. This will allow it to constantly protect your engine until the next oil change is due.
Some of the cheapest filters will only last around 6,000 km. This means that if you use a cheap filter, you could risk driving with a contaminated engine for 4,000 km. To make things worse, these filters are more prone to breaking and causing large amounts of debris to enter your engine.
Buying a mid to high range filter will allow your engine to stay uncontaminated well over 10,000 km with some high-performance filters lasting over 15,000 km.
Oil Filter Replacement in Hamilton
At Grimmer Motors, we can provide your vehicle with a quality Ryco oil filter replacement. Our servicing packages allow you to choose the level of servicing that best suits your vehicle needs.
When you receive an service with oil change through us, we use high-quality, manufacturer-recommended Penrite oils and Ryco filters. This will allow for your engine to remain healthy well over the 10,000 km mark.
For outstanding services that include oil/filter changers in Hamilton, contact Grimmer Motors today!