Everything you want to know about oil and fuel filters

David Banks
Authored by David Banks
Posted: Sunday, April 10, 2022 - 15:10

Oil Filters

New car owners feel perplexed about when to change oil filters on their cars as there are numerous opinions regarding when to replace them. However, as different people have varied views regarding the same based on their respective experiences, one should overlook them to arrive at a suitable decision as to when to change them. It should, therefore, be decided only after seeking professional help or tallying with your vehicle's manual.

How frequently one should change a car oil filter?

Every car manufacturer provides a manual with the vehicle mentioning the right type and timing to change the oil filter. Once you have familiarised yourself with the correct information about oil filters, you must stick to it to enhance the performance and efficiency of your vehicle. One can reduce the gap between changing oil filters and reducing expenditure by opting for better oils. Investing in better oils also increases the lifetime of the oil filter. Thus, it is mandatory to pay attention to the user manual provided with the vehicle. 

The advancements in technology have significantly reduced the timings between the changing oil filters. It used to change after every 3,000 miles, but now that gap has been enhanced between 5,000 to 8,000 miles. Some also suggest changing after 10,000 miles, but that doesn't suit maximum cars. So even nowadays, vehicles are coming with an integrated system to tell you the right time when you should exactly change the oil filter. You can check your vehicle manual to know if it is integrated into your vehicle. Generally, a light on the dashboard notifies it.

To answer one line, vehicle owners should opt for an oil change & an oil filter change after every 5000to 8000 miles.

Things to avoid that lead to malfunctioning of oil filters- 

  • Driving rashly

  • More stoppages in the journey

  • Extreme weather conditions

  • Carrying heavy loads and trailing

Such factors reduce the gap between the oil & oil filter change. 

Oil filter and oil change

In addition, oil filters and oil changes should be done simultaneously.  The vehicle engine has moving parts, and its oil keeps them lubricated. Ignoring it leads to more friction and heating of the vehicle resulting in wear and tear.

Fuel filters

A fuel filter is placed on the automobile engine, which subsequently represents a coarse and fine filter.

Like its name, a coarse filter cleans the fuel from large impurities. It comprises a mesh filter element- the reflector and brass grid, which helps remove impurities. While a fine filter, as clear from its name, clears fine impurities and water. The contaminants can be cleaned easily by removing the filter cap and draining off the impurities.

Though the fuel filter does not get faulty very often, it should be replaced too after the specific run as specified in the user manual provided with the vehicle.

The primary fuel filter should be replaced between 37,000 to 50,000 operational miles. At the same time, the lifetime of a fine filter is between 12,000 to 19,000 operational miles. It is therefore observed that the lifetime limit for this component is short for diesel vehicles as compared to their petrol counterparts.

Soiled and damaged filter element requires a change in the fuel filter. But it should be changed by the specialist at the service station.

Things to avoid that lead to malfunctioning of fuel filters - 

  • Unsteady engine operation and lower power

  • Increased fuel consumption as compared to usual

  • Unusual noise during pump fuel operations

  • Hindered engine operation - engine stops on its own

  • Clogging for fuel filters should be checked often

It is necessary to notice these warning signals to run the vehicle with total efficiency.

Therefore, to sum up, the whole discussion and answer the commonly asked question, how to replace the car filter? It should be replaced after specific miles as mentioned in the user manual at the service station at the hands of the authorized and experienced professional.

Source of information:

Information about fuel filter from sparepartstore24.co.uk

Information about oil filter from pinknews.co.uk