Your car’s internal combustion engine is a complicated series of parts, fluids, and pressure systems—and for it to run right, everything has to work perfectly. Even the smallest hiccup can cause a cascade of ill effects down the road.
Now, most drivers are at least vaguely aware that they need to get their oil changed every so often. Yet, more folks don’t realize that there are other essential parts of their oil system that need to be swapped out at regular intervals as part of routine car care.
Let’s go-to oil filter school, shall we?
Before we talk about filters, let’s briefly talk about the purpose of the oil itself.
Some drivers don’t realize: that having adequately clean oil is every bit as important as having gasoline when it comes to making your car go. Engine oil has multiple purposes:
That last point about the particle collection is the reason why fresh oil is a see-through, light golden color, whereas used oil is opaque, brown, and sludgy. That dark, sludgy oil needs to be changed after a while because it’s no longer greasing the engine properly. Left alone for long enough, this can cause catastrophic damage to the inside of the motor, or even cause the motor to lock up entirely—and this brings us to the role of the filter.
The main purpose of an oil filter is pretty self-explanatory: it helps to filter those harmful particles out of the oil as it circulates through the engine. Think of it as a big loop through the entire system, with the filter being the finish line that catches all the crud the oil picked up as it went through. The oil in your car will flow through this process thousands of times before it needs replacing, but without a properly working filter, the oil accumulates debris at a much faster rate.
Regardless of how good your filter is, it can’t prevent all particles from accumulating in the oil, which is why regular oil changes are necessary. Whenever an oil change is performed, it’s imperative to check the state of the filter as well.
This question is always the subject of debate, but the general consensus is that it ought to be swapped out as part of every oil change.
This, of course, depends on the car you’re driving, the conditions you’re driving it in, and the type of oil you use. If you’re driving, say, a brand new Elantra with full-synthetic oil and a good oil filter, you might be able to make it 10,000 miles without a visit to the shop. If you’re driving an older model with conventional oil and the worst oil filter, or you frequently drive in rough conditions, your oil and filter may only last up to 4,000 miles.
When in doubt, consult your owner’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Well… you probably shouldn’t.
Sure, you can save a few bucks by doing your own oil changes, assuming you have the proper knowledge and equipment. Considering how important the oil system is to your car’s overall health, though, unless you’re a trained professional, there are just too many things that can go wrong. If you forget to replace your oil filter, your car could be in for a world of hurt.
To complicate matters further, not all oil filters are created equal. Even if we’re only talking about Hyundai specifically, there are multiple different kinds of filters, depending on model and engine type—and that’s just counting OEM Hyundai parts.
Considering aftermarket brands is a whole other can of worms. Generally speaking, we don’t recommend them, because, while they can be cheaper, you’re gonna get what you pay for. In their oil filter comparison chart, the experts at The Drive concluded that the best oil filter brand for value is always OEM. The oil filter is definitely not a part you want to go pinching pennies on (especially considering the fact that even expensive, high-performance filters are less than $20 bucks.)
If you don’t know exactly which parts to order and how to install them, you could very well end up spending way more time and money than you would by taking your car to a shop. So, unless you’re a licensed mechanic, we at McCarthy always recommend leaving it to the experts.
Click to schedule a Hyundai oil change in Olathe.
Aside from what we’ve already mentioned? Well…
As we’ve said, generally speaking, the best oil filter is usually the OEM variety. This will be the exact type of filter that your car had when it rolled off the factory floor. These filters were specifically designed for maximum efficiency in the specific make and model. McCarthy uses all OEM parts when it conducts service, so you can save yourself the question, “What oil filter do I need?”
Shops that specialize in oil changes are a dime a dozen. These shops generally specialize in a speedy turnaround, with no appointment required—sometimes, you don’t even have to get out of the car. They can be all right in a pinch, but they also tend to pad the service bill with extra expenses. Plus, with our frequent service specials, you stand to save even more money if you come to our shop.
One thing people don’t think about when they change their oil at home is, it can get really messy. Oil doesn’t exactly scrub out of the driveway easily, and the EPA has strict guidelines on where and how used oil can be disposed of.
All McCarthy replacement parts are covered under warranty to ensure first-rate service.
For all you new car buyers out there, you’ll reap the benefits of our Complementary Maintenance program, which, among other things, covers oil changes. You won’t pay a single dime to change your oil at McCarthy for 3 years or 36,000 miles!
If your car is due for service, we’re happy to help you out with an oil change in Olathe. Hit this link to fill out a service form and get your name in the queue fast and easy, or give us a ring at (913) 324-7200 to be connected to our Hyundai service department by phone. Our Olathe car dealership is always here to help.
Why do you even require an oil filter? What if I end up using the wrong filter for my car? Are these some of the questions you ask yourself sometimes? This article will take you through the path of deciding the best oil filter for your car.
We’re sure you would want your car to be ‘running like a well-oiled machine and understand that it is not just the oil, but also the filter that matters. This will save you from paying frequent visits to the mechanic, your time, and your money.
1. What Is An Oil Filter?
2. What Type Of Oil Filter And Material Should I Choose?
3. What Are The Factors I Should Consider Before Buying An Oil Filter?
4. Which Top Brand Oil Filter Should I Choose?
5. What Are The Warning Signs Of A Bad Oil Filter?
6. When Should I Replace My Oil Filter?
7. How Much Does An Oil Filter Cost On An Average?
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What Is An Oil Filter?When it comes to the maintenance of your car, an oil filter is arguably one of the most important components. Designed and constructed to filter the oil contaminants like small metal pieces from entering the engine, an oil filter ensures the smooth running of the engine. Metaphorically speaking, it is the kidney of your vehicle.
Packed in a metal sheet, an oil filter functions in such a way that the oil passes through two media, the primary and secondary. Primary media clears out particles up to 25-30 microns and the secondary media traps particles as small as 5-10 microns. The longer the size of the filter, the better it is since more contaminants can be cleared. That being said, the filters are application-specific. The filtration media or the bypass valve rating could be different which could adversely affect the oil flow to the engine.
Oil Filter by MANN-FILTER
Oil Filter by K & N ENGINEERING
Oil Filter by WIX
Oil Filter by FRAM
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What Type Of Oil Filter And Material Should I Choose?1. Mechanical Oil Filter
Mechanical Oil filter consists of pleated filter paper, this filtration media allows the oil to pass through it and the dirt and debris are screened on the external surface. However, as the impurities start building up, the oil flow is restricted. Due to this, you will have to replace the filter oftentimes. On the brighter side, these filters are inexpensive and easy to install thereby creating less hassle for you.
2. Magnetic Oil Filter
Magnetic filters are used to eliminate metallic contaminants. Magnetic oil filters use magnets or electro-magnets as their filtering agents. The magnets suspend the flow of debris into the engine. As the oil flows through it, the contaminants are deposited on the magnetic surface, allowing just the oil to flow. But this filter does demand cleaning since the pollutants can clog the surface over time and eventually block the oil flow. Cleaning just the magnetic surface would suffice the maintenance requirement of it.
3. Sedimentation Oil Filter
Fondly known as the “gravity bed oil filter”, it does not have any specific filtration media. It relies on gravity to do its job on the pollutants present in the oil. As the oil enters the filter, the heavy debris goes down while the clean oil rises up. However, this is not the most efficient way to filter the engine oil since it enters at a certain velocity and pressure, not giving enough time for the debris to sediment. Consequently, there is a good chance that the pollutants escape the clutches of gravity and enter the engine.
4. Centrifugal Oil Filter
An interesting yet simple physics is implemented here. You would have found yourself being pushed out in a merry-go-round. This is because of centrifugal force, a force that pushes the body outwards when in a circular motion. With the same principle, the filter is constructed in such a way that the inside drum rotates, and the oil exits through the bottom of the drum. The debris, due to its weight is stuck to the walls of the drum and hence cannot go any further with the oil. Like the other filters, even this one requires cleaning of the drum, causing it to stop rotating otherwise.
1. Cellulose
Cellulose is used on economy filters. It is typically used in making disposable filter types, they can hold pollutants upto the size of 8-10 microns which is just about enough to purify 40% of the oil. Since the debris easily clogs the surface obstructing the oil flow, it is recommended to replace the filter every 3000-3500 miles.
2. Synthetic
There is synthetic fiber media for the high-end filters that has smaller passages to trap smaller particles but can also pass more fluid through because it has more passages, thus increasing the inherent surface area. Synthetic filters are usually made of nylon, glass, or polyester. Synthetic filters perform better than cellulose ones in filtering out the contaminants from the oil. They last longer as well, typically 5000-6000 miles before replacement.
3. Micro-Glass
Most high-end oil filters include an extremely fine metal media or micro glass. Close to 10 times finer than the cellulose fiber, this ultra-thin fiber is something you can count on for filtering even the finest of particles. They also boast a long life of 10,000 miles before demanding a replacement.
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What Are The Factors I Should Consider Before Buying An Oil Filter?1. Filtration Media
The type of media used in an oil filter determines its effectiveness in blocking the contaminants. By far, the most efficient and long-lasting ones are Microglass, but they are expensive. Though cellulose media filters are affordable, they aren’t very efficient. The one that shares a good balance between cost and performance is synthetic media.
2. Price
Often the price can be a good indicator of the filter quality in terms of longevity and performance. While microglass filters are expensive initially, they last a long time which reduces the need for regular replacements and saves you in the long run. They can also provide added performance benefits. Cellulose oil filters are more affordable but with regular replacements and poorer performance the scale evens out. A good compromise between the two is synthetic filters which offer better performance at fair prices.
3. Oil Filter Capacity
The amount of debris that an oil filter can hold, before it allows the unfiltered oil into the engine refers to the oil filter capacity. So make sure to choose an oil filter that has the capacity to hold the debris till its service life.
4. Longer Shelf Life
Synthetic filters have a longer life span when compared to cellulose but not much longer than microglass. Microglass filters can last up to 19,000 km which means that they will need a replacement every 2 to 5 years. Though these filters are expensive, they are valued for money.
5. Weather conditions
You must always consider the weather conditions when you are buying an oil filter, especially the cold weather. During cold temperatures, the oil usually thickens. Therefore Microglass filters are an ideal choice as they are non-restrictive meaning they won’t affect the flow of thicker oil through the engine.
6. Low Micron Rating
This rating shows the lowest particle size that the filter can stop and anything below manages to escape the filter. On that note, a lower micron rating translates to more efficient filtration of the oil. A micron rating below 10 suggests that the filter can clear out most of the contaminants.
7. Compatibility
This can be seen in two ways, oil compatibility and vehicle compatibility. The ”one size fits all” logic is not applicable in this case. A filter that fits in the threads of your vehicle doesn’t always mean it is suitable for the oil running in it. Therefore, a compatibility check is a must before buying.
8. Anti-drainback Valve
This is an essential filter feature which is ignored most of the time. It prevents the oil from exiting the filter when the engine is turned off. Assuming a scenario without it, the unfiltered oil could enter the engine and cause damage to it which is definitely not something that you would want. It also serves another purpose, preventing a “dry start”.
To determine the size of the oil filter you need, you will need to consult your vehicle’s owner manual or use an online tool. The size of the oil filter depends on the make and model of your vehicle.
If you have a Ford F-150, for example, the oil filter size is FL-820S. If you have a Toyota Camry, the oil filter size is 90915-YZZD1.
It’s important to choose the right oil filter size for your vehicle to ensure that it fits properly and functions correctly. Using the wrong size oil filter can lead to oil leaks and engine damage.
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What Are The Warning Signs Of A Bad Oil Filter?A bad filter triggers a few uncommon occurrences in the engine which you would feel normal. Here are some of the most common observations:
Dripping oil is never a healthy sign. There has to be some failure in the system which caused a pool of oil beneath your car. This happens when a filter bursts due to the effects of temperature change. This is a case of a typical gasket failure which leads to a drop in oil pressure. Low oil pressure poses a significant threat to the engine.
A failed filter allows contaminated oil to enter the engine. As they build up enough, they cause malfunctions by causing damage to the system inside. This triggers the engine light on. The modern cars are equipped with a low oil pressure light, if either of the lights is illuminated, it is a possible oil filter failure.
There could be many reasons causing it, but filter failure is one of them. With the build-up of contaminants inside the engine, it could severely affect the heat conductivity resulting in temperatures exceeding normal. The movement of such contaminants could also cause unusual sounds from the engine. If the engine shows any of this, it is time for an overall check-up.
On a vehicle where a fuel filter has never been changed, the dirty filter can cause erratic fuel flow, resulting in longer than usual cranking before the engine starts. Check your owner’s manual on filter replacement intervals.
An engine that repeatedly stalls while driving could be warning you of a dirty fuel filter. Again, depending on the severity of the clog, your car may start right back up without any noticeable loss of power.
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When Should I Replace My Oil Filter?An oil filter is no exception from going through the hassle of replacing. Periodic replacement of the filter is necessary to ensure the smooth functioning of your vehicle. Since the filter prevents the contaminants from entering the engine, it is important to replace it from time to time to avoid the filtered contaminants from building up and ultimately clogging the filter. The ideal time to replace a filter is during the oil change. It is advisable to consult your local trusted mechanic for the replacement period.