Oil is the new gold, they say. Well, it is quite literally so for your vehicle. Being the lifeblood upon which engine function depends, smooth lubrication of purified oil is essential. The component that takes care of the purification process is the oil filter.
Effective oil filtration is the reason behind an optimally functioning engine. But, with time and contamination comes wear-and-tear, necessitating a filter replacement. This guide will discuss all of it.
Why Does Your Car Need Frequent Filter Replacement?
The main reason for frequent filter replacement stems from its importance. Modern vehicles use a full-flow filtration process, wherein the oil reaches the engine directly from the reservoir through the filter. So, the filter acts as the engine’s first line of defence.
Then comes the fact that the filter will suffer clogging over time due to contaminations. If you wait long enough, the bypass valve may allow contaminated oil to enter the engine, leading to engine failure.
If the above doesn’t happen, your vehicle’s engine may fail to receive (purified) oil altogether. Either way, you end up with a dead engine. Keeping a tab on the filter’s performance and frequently replacing it will improve your car’s longevity.
Frequency of Filter Replacement
Generally, a vehicle requires a filter replacement every time the oil is changed. This would be an estimated 10,000 km in case of petrol-fuelled engines and 15,000 km in case of diesel-fuelled ones.Â
But, to be on the safe side, it is better to run a check through the manufacturer’s handbook. It usually mentions the specific interval within which the filter for a particular vehicle must be ideally replaced.
Signs a Replacement is Needed Earlier than Expected
Now, it is possible that your car’s filter undergoes damage and needs to be replaced sooner than the specified interval. If such is the case, your vehicle will give you some unmistakable signs.
Illuminated Service Light
Some vehicles come with oil change indicators. If yours has one, then its illumination makes for an unmistakable sign of a problem with the filter.
But, even the service light being illuminated can be an indication of the same. This happens when a lot of dirt and grime circulates in the engine. The same clogs the filter, and the service light illuminates.
Dirty Exhaust Fumes
If your vehicle’s oil filters are healthy, its exhaust fumes should resemble the colour of smoke. However, if the filter is clogged, the fumes might look dirty – they might possess a dark (black) colour.
This usually happens because the filter may be clogged. As a result, the oil begins leaking into the exhaust system. Besides the dirty exhaust fumes, the system will also emit a burning odour.
Decreased Oil Pressure
This is another tell-tale sign that your vehicle’s filter might need replacement. What happens is that when the filter is clogged, it prevents the oil from passing through to the engine. This creates low oil pressure in the engine.
The engine performance may also be compromised as a result. Moreover, you may discover oil leakage under your car.
Closing In
Is your car overdue on its oil filter replacement? Perhaps you are noticing some of the above-mentioned signs but are still unsure.
Stop sitting on the fence! Contact a reliable auto parts manufacturer and let the experts take a look under the hood. They will help you determine whether a filter replacement is needed.
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