How long does an oil filter last

How long does an oil filter last

Everyone who drives a car knows that you need to have your oil changed on a regular basis (usually every 3,000 or 6,000 miles, depending on your vehicle), but few people even realize that there's also an oil filter in your system that has to be swapped out. This important part of your engine filters out dirt and grime to keep your engine from getting clogged and fouled.

How long does an oil filter last
For the most part, changing your oil filter is part of your routine maintenance, but what happens when your warranty plan runs out and you're determining what to do and when? Many drivers in Manalapan, Freehold, Englishtown, and Marlboro wonder how often to have their oil filter changed during preventative maintenance. Learn how often to change oil filter based on a number of factors, including make and model, dash lights, harsh driving, and other circumstances.

How Often to Change Oil Filter?

Knowing how often to change oil filter depends on a number of factors. Many manufacturers recommend that the oil filter be replaced every second time you get your oil changed. So, if you're on a 3,000-mile cycle you'd change your filter every 6,000; if you're on a 6,000-mile cycle (as with most modern vehicles) you'd change out every 12,000. However, there are other factors that come into play and some mechanics recommend more frequent replacement.

Every Oil Change

In general, most newer vehicles are designed to run on 6,000 or 7,500-mile cycles for oil changes (the old 3,000-mile cycle is a myth in terms of newer vehicles). Most mechanics agree that it's just a smart idea to have the filter swapped out every time you take your car in for an oil change. The reason for this is that modern engines-and filters, by extension-are designed to be very efficient at filtering out particles, which means the filters themselves foul quicker.

Service Engine Light

How long does an oil filter last
If you're driving and you notice your service engine light comes on, it could be something as simple as a fouled oil filter! There are several things that can cause this light to go on, and having the simple and inexpensive things eliminated first is always a wise idea. Swap out that filter and see if the problem is fixed.

Harsh Driving

If you do a lot of harsh driving with heavy braking and acceleration, stop-and-go in urban areas, or a substantial deal of travel in harsh conditions, you might need to have not only your filter, but your oil itself changed more frequently. When your engine has to work harder, it tends to result in your oil getting dirty quickly. As a result, your oil filter clogs at a faster rate.

Oil Filter Change Service at Freehold Subaru

If you're wondering how often to change oil filter in your Subaru car, truck, or SUV, Freehold Subaru offers a complete range of preventative maintenance services to drivers in Manalapan, Marlboro, and Englishtown. Give us a call or stop into our service department and ask for more information. Schedule your service appointment online today!

Oil filters have some of the shortest replacement intervals of all car parts, and it’s easy to fall into a routine of going with whatever filter you usually buy. If you let your dealership or a mechanic handle your oil changes, you may not even know what kind of filter you have under the hood. Why does it matter? New advancements allow synthetic oil to last 10,000 miles between replacements. Yet you can’t move to that kind of extended maintenance intervals when you’re still using an oil filter designed for just 3,000 miles.

The Demand for Longer Intervals

Since modern drivers put far more miles on their personal vehicles than they ever did in the past, it’s not surprising that changing the oil every 3,000 miles has become a chore. For some people with serious commutes, they can hit this interval in a month or less. Unless you want to spend the time and energy on oil changes that often, you’ll want to upgrade to a motor oil that can go 10,000 miles or more before needing a change. You’ll still need to swap the filters at the regular mileage mark unless you upgrade to a long life oil filter as well.

Advanced Features

These extended life oil filters don’t just feature a higher number on the box. Careful construction and higher quality materials ensure that these filters can actually last as long as they claim, and pass-through testing proves it. Some of the features used by different filter manufacturers include:

• Thicker metal shells to prevent accidental damage from pieces of road debris
• Deeper baffles to trap and hold more dirt without restricting flow
• Finer weave in the cellulose baffle material to trap smaller particles
• Reinforced centers to prevent collapse under higher pressure or movement of the baffle
• Stronger drain valves to withstand the extended number of starts
• By-pass valves to keep the oil flowing in case the filter becomes completely clogged

Original Equipment from the Manufacturer

Some of the oil filters coming from vehicle manufacturers already conform to these standards for longer use because the manufacturer has made the decision to increase all maintenance intervals. BMW is just one of the many manufacturers choosing this option, and the OEM filters they supply to dealerships and approved repair shops last 10,000 miles or more as a standard feature. If your vehicle’s manual recommends long intervals due to the design of the engine, you must keep up with those demands by only using extended life filters and oil. You can’t expect good results by installing a basic 3,000 mile filter and oil in one of these vehicles and ignoring it until the recommended maintenance retrieval.

It can be tricky to find long life oil filters for older cars and rare models. Drop-in style filters are easier to find in extended life design than metal enclosed spin-on designs, but if you have the right source for auto parts, you can find a matching long life filter for practically any make and model of car.

How often should an oil filter be changed?

Many manufacturers recommend that the oil filter be replaced every second time you get your oil changed. So, if you're on a 3,000-mile cycle you'd change your filter every 6,000; if you're on a 6,000-mile cycle (as with most modern vehicles) you'd change out every 12,000.

Should I replace my oil filter every time I change my oil?

While technically you don't have to get the oil filter changed with every oil replacement, it is still a good idea. The oil filter keeps the oil in your engine clear of larger contaminants and replacing it at the same time that you get an oil change makes sure that everything can run smoothly.

What happens if you change oil without changing filter?

Over time, car engines may become dirty. If the dirt is not removed, it may cause corrosion and eventually cause engine death. In addition, if you change the car oil irregularly, the dust will decompose and become “sludge”.

Can I use the same oil filter twice?

Yes, it's perfectly safe to use either type of filter with either type of oil. If you practice extended drain intervals using synthetic oil, however, a conventional oil filter may not offer the required service life, meaning you'll have to change it in the middle of the oil drain interval, which is inconvenient.