One of the most important things you can do for your car or truck is to remember to change the oil filter. The oil filter screens out combustion contaminants, as well as dirt and carbon deposits from the engine oil. This oil lubricates your engine’s internal components, so the filter effectively stops the debris before it passes through it, trapping it so it doesn’t cause damage to the engine.
A severely damaged engine can have a multitude of symptoms, including excessive exhaust fumes, frequent misfires, and leaks. These symptoms signal that the engine needs to be replaced, which is a costly thing to have done.
Why Does it Need Replacing?
Like the air filter, oil filters gradually become clogged as they perform their duty of trapping contaminates. Eventually, the amount of clean oil that successfully passes through becomes less and less, which can cause wear on your engine, shortening its lifespan. It’s a classic example of a small maintenance item that goes neglected only to cause very costly damage down the line.
When Should You Change Your Oil Filter?
Unlike many other parts going bad in a vehicle, there’s no tell-tale light or immediate symptoms to indicate your oil filter needs to be replaced. When symptoms finally occur, it’s usually in the form of engine damage.
Luckily, most mechanics who change your oil will put a sticker on the window telling you when to come in for another change. Generally, you’ll want to change the oil and filter every 7,500 miles. It used to be around 3,000 miles, but manufacturers have largely changed their recommendations. When in doubt, consult your vehicle’s manual.
Also, if you make a lot of short trips in a town or city, you’ll likely have to change your oil filter more often than someone who drives mostly on the highway. Driving in extreme temperatures can also cause you to have to change your oil filter more frequently, as does towing a trailer or driving in high altitudes.
Is There a Way to Prevent Clogs?
Your mechanic might install a premium oil filter to safeguard against clogs. They feature a bypass valve that regulates the oil pressure within the filter. However, if the oil filter does become fully clogged, its bypass valve would open. That means it allows the oil to continue circulating the engine, but it would have all the contaminates that the filter would normally catch.
It’s best not to try and avoid changing the oil and filter, because the filter will save your engine in the long run.