In my first job behind the automotive counter, I remember selling an awful lot of 10W30, 10W40, and even some of that newfangled 5W30.
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Now, of course, things are much different; we have many weights of oil, most trending toward lower viscosity, and more and more vehicles specify synthetic oil, partially due to consumer demand for longer service intervals. Most customers won’t bat an eye at a fully synthetic oil that costs ten bucks a quart if the car requires it. But how many people who walk up to your counter quiz you about the filter?
If you aren’t a counterman but instead work in a shop, you probably stock one brand of filter, and I’m betting it’s likely an economy filter. Vehicles and lubricants have both changed a lot over the years. Installing an old-fashioned filter on a modern vehicle because that’s what’s in stock may not the best course of action.
Whether a spin-on or cartridge style, the heart of the filter is the media. Automotive oil filters generally have a filtration media that falls into one of three camps: cellulose (paper), synthetic, or mixed fiber media, which is a blend of both types. Paper media is simply not as resistant to aging (weakening) as a properly chosen synthetic media. This matters a great deal on today’s vehicles that may spec really extreme oil change intervals. (Jaguar is up to 15,000 mile intervals on their vehicles!) Do you really want to pair up oil that can go that interval with a cardboard or paper filter that was originally designed for a then-standard 3,000 mile change?
Compounding this issue is ethanol fuel, which represents a significant portion of the gasoline sold in the United States. Ethanol generates more water as a byproduct of the combustion process. That water mixes with the engine oil and passes through the filter media until the oil has gotten hot enough to drive the water off.
Water weakens paper filter media to the point of being able to tear, reducing its efficacy as a filter and shortening its effective life. In extreme cases, pieces of media can actually detach from the filter and circulate within the oiling system. It’s also a bit less tolerant of higher temperatures. Quite a few modern vehicles are now packing turbos under the hood—more and more mundane vehicles are relying on forced induction, and turbos spin pretty fast. Higher temperatures and speeds mean clean oil is more critical than ever in these applications.
Remember, too, that many modern vehicles have stop-start systems. Synthetic filters can not only filter smaller particles but can often offer more consistent pressures while doing so. (This is why oil filters are generally a little smaller than they used to be. When was the last time you poured a quart of oil into a modern vehicle’s oil filter?) Media that has clogged and created higher-than-normal pressures will open the bypass valve, sending dirty oil that’s bypassed the filter media back into service. This obviously is compounded with a stop-start vehicle. Further, if a stop-start is pressed into stop-and-go traffic immediately, achieving proper operating temperature takes longer than if the car remained running. This exacerbates that water-in-the-oil problem we already covered.
Let’s also not forget about the myriad of systems that run off oil now, like variable valve timing and multiple displacement systems; do you really want filter media coming loose with that componentry? Sludge or dirty oil are ultra-problematic for vehicles with this fairly advanced technology. Even the move to overhead cams has dictated much longer timing chains than the days of cam-in-block motors. Experienced techs know that timing chains don’t stretch, they actually wear as the fit between pins and links gets sloppier. Poorly filtered oil accelerates that wear greatly.
A quality filter goes beyond the media, however. Generally, a manufacturer using a high-quality filtration media is also going to use a premium gasket, bypass valve spring, and anti-drainback valve, too. Building a better oil filter costs money, but that money is amortized in many cases by the savings on reduced service. Educating your customer (and being aware of the differences yourself) can help you have a customer feel confident in the parts you’re installing—especially if those parts need to last longer than they ever have before.
It’s no news that having regular oil changes is necessary to keep your car running smoothly and efficiently. But what you may not know is that what oil filter you’re using is just as important as the oil change itself. Cheap filters can’t trap harmful contaminants that slowly build up in your car’s oil over time – and you don’t want your car losing performance and strength due to not investing in the right kind of oil filter.
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In this blog post, we’ll discuss why it’s important to use high-quality
oil filters for oil changes and the benefits you can get from doing so. Read on and find out why you should be spending a little more to keep your car running in top condition.
A car's oil filter is responsible for preventing any abrasive or other elements from doing harm to the engine. Some of these elements include dirt, automotive fluids, and other contaminants, all of which can cause serious damage if they make their way into the engine.
Oil filter services are therefore incredibly important for keeping the oil clean and free of any debris.
High-quality oil filters are built to last longer and protect your car’s engine from dirt and other harmful contaminants that can accumulate in the oil over time. Here are some of the benefits you can get from spending a few extra dollars on a good oil filter:
When searching for a high-quality oil filter, there are a few key things to look for. Some of these include:
Any car owner knows that their ride should always be in top condition and that it’s important to stick to recommended maintenance schedules. And when it comes to oil changes, it’s always better to invest in a good filter. A poor quality one could not only damage your engine but also need replacing earlier than expected.
Spending a few extra dollars on a quality oil filter will not only save you money in the long run, as we’ve mentioned but also ensure that your car is running optimally, making it safer and more reliable.
Oil change services can help to ensure that you are getting the most out of your oil change. Professional oil change services can provide assistance with selecting the right type of oil, oil filter, and other components of the oil change. They can also be of benefit when it comes to replacing other components and performing other maintenance work that may need to be done.
Professional oil change services can help to ensure that you are investing in the right oil filter for your vehicle. Investing in a high-quality oil filter will help to safeguard your engine and will pay dividends in the long run.
For professional
oil change services in Mesa, AZ, and the surrounding areas, visit Oil Buddy at S Country Club Dr., Mesa, AZ ! Call us at
480-892- for questions and inquiries! We use high-quality
oil filter solutions for every oil change.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of oil filter elements. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.