Understanding the Different Types of Oil Filters

The motor oil that you put into your engine, along with its additives, works to absorb and hold organic and inorganic contaminants. Organic contaminants can include bacteria, bugs, and oxidized oil. Inorganic impurities can include metallic particles, wearing off the components of the engine, and dust. Thus, motor oil helps to helps to protect the engine, and improve its efficiency and performance.

However, to prolong the life of your engine and provide better performance, car manufacturers also install oil filters that clean the oil before directing it to vital moving parts of the engine.

Types of filter media
Oil filters have different media, or membranes, inside them that filter out and clear the contaminants of the motor oil as it circulates.

Cellulose filter media: Typically, disposable oil filters have cellulose filter media. This media can hold back particles 8 to 10 microns in size and can clean up to 40% of the motor oil. It is advisable to have your mechanic check/replace them at every 3,000 miles.

Synthetic filter media: Higher quality oil filters use synthetic media. This media is effective in removing 50% of the particles in sizes ranging from 20 to 40 microns, and 24% of particles in the 8 to 10 micron range. These oil filters should be checked/replaced every 5,000 to 7,000 miles.

Microglass filter media: Most high-end oil filters include an extremely fine metal media or microglass. This microglass mesh is made with fibers that are 10 times finer than cellulose fibers. They also present far less of a restriction to the flow of motor oil and only need to be checked/replaced ever 2 to 5 years or 10,000 miles (whichever comes first).

Types of oil filters
There is a wide range of oil filters in the market and the type of engine in your car; its size and manufacturing company dictate the kind of oil filter it uses.

Primary oil filters: Most car engine manufacturers install primary oil filters. These oil filters, also known as full flow filters, filter 100% of the motor oil. Since it is essential for these oil filters to work efficiently in order to keep the engine lubricated, they have lower flow restrictions. In colder temperatures, motor oil thickens, and a restrictive oil filter can result in damage to the engine. Thus, primary oil filters allow smaller particles of contaminants to pass through them. Manufacturers also install a fail-safe bypass valve in case the membrane of the filter becomes too clogged. If the filter becomes clogged and does not allow motor oil to reach the engine, a specific pressure system will redirect the motor oil around the membrane to the engine so it continues to lubricate it.

Secondary oil filters: In addition to the primary oil filters, some manufacturers also install secondary oil filters. These oil filters work on a small portion or about 1% to 10% of the motor oil and clean it before routing it back to the engine. They work independently of the primary oil filters and help by removing additional contaminants. As a result, you need to replace the motor oil less frequently. Even if your vehicle does not have a secondary oil filter, you can choose to install one after purchase. These oil filters are also called bypass filters. However, it is important to remember that they are completely distinct from the bypass valve.

Conventional oil filters: These oil filters are a form of secondary filters and use basic cellulose membranes. Since they filter out smaller contaminants, they need replacing more frequently.

Thermal chamber oil filters: These oil filters work in two ways. They filter the motor oil to remove impurities and in addition, raise its temperature so that certain contaminants in the motor oil burn off or get destroyed. In a way, these oil filters work to refine the oil, but to do so, they need to consume electricity. This is why they can reduce the fuel efficiency of your car.

Spinner filters: Also called centrifugal oil filters, these filters use a spinning motion to trap and hold motor oil contaminants. Typically, these oil filters have two sections, a housing chamber and membrane. When the media gets clogged, you only need to replace it while the housing chamber remains usable. The base gasket is an important component of a spinner filter. It works to prevent motor oil from leaking, but is not very durable. If your car uses a spinner filter, have your mechanic check the base gasket, at least once every three months or 3,000 miles.

Magnetic oil filters: These oil filters work to remove the metallic impurities from the motor oil and are ineffective on dust. You do not need to replace this oil filter; simply cleaning it periodically should keep it functional.

Keep in mind
It is always advisable to use the oil filter that your Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) recommends. Also, follow the instructions carefully on the frequency of oil filter maintenance or replacement. These instructions are typically based on the conditions in which you regularly drive and the mileage.

If you drive in dusty conditions very often, you might want to have your oil filter checked more frequently.

10 Signs Your Car Needs an Oil Change and Tune-up

Engine oil is like the blood of every car. The engine needs oil to lubricate its moving components and keep them operating smoothly. In fact, engines of all kinds need oil in order to function. It doesn’t matter if you’re using a motorcycle, generator, or even a lawnmower. If it’s got an engine, then it needs to be lubricated with oil.

An engine is filled with parts that are constantly moving and rubbing together. This constant rubbing creates heat from all the friction. You need oil to flow through these moving parts so that it can absorb the heat and prevent overheating.

The Top 10 Signs
There are so many different signs that will show up which indicate that your vehicle needs an oil change and possibly a tune-up. When you take your vehicle in for an oil change, the service person will usually inspect your vehicle and then give you additional recommendations on what they think needs to be done. However, you shouldn’t always depend on them to do this accurately because they might not always catch every issue. That is why you need to pay attention to the signs which indicate that you need a tune-up of some kind.

Below are the top 10 signs of your car needing an oil change and/or a tune-up.

Car Stalling – If you’re driving and your vehicle begins to stall, then you could have a big or small problem. A small problem would be if you have a clogged fuel filter or bad spark plugs. Something like this can be replaced with a simple tune-up.

Difficulty Starting Engine – If you notice that you’re consistently having problems turning on your engine, then you might need to replace your battery. You may notice the engine hesitating before it starts up while the lights on the dashboard dim a bit. Clearly, you need a tune-up that involves a new battery.

Warning Lights – The computers and sensors in vehicles today make it easier for them to detect a problem early on before it gets worse. If you notice an indicator light illuminating on your dashboard, use your owner’s manual to see what that light means. Warning lights will warn you about all kinds of problems such as low battery, taillight burned out, transmission malfunction, and so on. However, if you need an oil change, then you will see the oil change light illuminate. In some cars, it is the check engine light.

Vibration on Flat Surfaces – If you notice your car vibrating on flat surfaces or roads, there could be many different reasons for this. Sometimes, though, you might just need to balance your tires or possibly get new ones if the treads are worn. There could be low air pressure in your tires or a faulty universal joint as well.

Overheating – If you don’t have enough oil in your engine or if the oil hasn’t been changed in a while, then it won’t do as good a job of lubricating the engine’s components. This will cause the engine to heat up more and eventually overheat. An oil change will fix this problem.

Loud Noises – Engine oil gets old and worn after a while. That is why car manufacturers recommend you change your oil every 5,000 miles or so. If you have old oil in your vehicle, then it is likely getting dirtier and thicker. This will make it harder for the oil to lubricate your engine’s components. As a result, your engine will begin making loud noises because of the lubrication failure. Get an oil change right away.

Oil Smell – If the interior cabin of your vehicle is starting to smell like oil, then you know you have some problem with your oil. It usually means there is an oil leak and that it is burning due to an overheated engine. You’ll want to fix that overheating problem and then change your oil right afterward.

Exhaust Smoke – If you live in a cold environment then you are used to seeing vapor emitting from the tailpipe of your vehicle. However, if you actually start seeing smoke come out of it, then you probably have an oil leak. The smoke is the result of less oil being in your engine to lubricate its parts, due to the leak. So, get the leak fixed and the oil replaced.

Dark Oil – If you’ve ever seen clean oil before, it kind of has a bright amber color to it. But when oil becomes old and dirty from the build-up of residue particles in the engine, then it becomes a much darker color. You should make it a habit of sticking a dipstick into the oil of your engine and then removing it. The color that gets onto the stick is the color of the oil. If it’s dark, then you need to change your oil.

Shifting Hesitation – If you are driving an automatic vehicle, then you should have no problems with shifting between gears. But if there is hesitation or lag when you shift gears, it could mean that you need new transmission fluid or filters. Of course, it could mean a worse problem too. That is why taking your car in for a tune-up will at least detect what the problem is.

What does a tune-up involve?
We’ve all heard the term “tune-up” as it relates to vehicles. You might think a tune-up means getting an oil change and having your windshield washed. But in actuality, there is a lot more to a tune-up than that. A tune-up means you are having various components and parts of your vehicle inspected and replaced if they are worn out. Some of these areas include your distributor cap, fuel filter, PCV valve, air filter, spark plugs, brakes, hoses, belts, and wires. The service person will also check your idle speed, idle mixture, sensors, and ignition timing. If any of these areas are not normal, they will be adjusted appropriately.

Symptoms and Effects of Wrong Engine Oil in Car

The motor oil in automobiles has to function under various temperature and pressures. For example, vehicles must endure the cold weather of the winter and the hot weather of the summer. Oil has a harder time flowing in the cold and an easier time flowing in the summer. And if you’re hauling a heavy load on top of that, it is even more work for the oil. This resistance to flow calculation is known as viscosity.

There are standards for measuring the characteristics of oil which have been determined by the American Petroleum Institute. SN is their latest standard set forth for all gasoline engines. Because of this, all the oil you buy in the present will have to be equal or better than the previous standards such as SG, SF, SJ, SL, and SM. Check your owner’s manual to find the right oil for your car and at least 2 accurate multi-grade specifications that coincide with the engine of your vehicle. Do not just look for a brand name when choosing oil. Your manual should recommend an oil that has a requirement such as “compliant with standard SN of API.”

The numerical codes of these standards are defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers. For example, winter is represented by the letter “W” and it is only suitable when the viscosity is equal or less than 25. This means it is best used in the wintertime or cold temperatures. If the viscosity of the oil is over 25, then it is too thick and should only be used in warmer temperatures.

Wrong Engine Oil Effects
If the cold viscosity of your oil is too much, then you won’t be able to start your car in colder temperatures. If the hot viscosity of your oil is too much and then you start your car, the oil will lose its strength and it won’t lubricate the components of the engine properly. This will result in the oil being burnt.

It does not matter which motor oil brand you use. The only thing that matters is the viscosity rating such as 10W30 or 5W20. Your owner’s manual will tell you which one to use. If you end up using the wrong oil in your vehicle for too long, the components of the engine won’t be lubricated as much which will result in the engine’s life being shortened. If the owner’s manual recommends you use synthetic oil, then that is what you should use. Do not believe the myth that mixing synthetic oil with regular oil is bad for the engine because it is not. You won’t benefit from doing this, though.

Use the oil that is recommended by the manual. Just make sure it is a multi-grade oil which matches the service standard that is required. If you get your oil changed and end up putting a heavier oil in your vehicle one time, then it won’t become a huge issue. All it will do is lower your fuel mileage. However, the manufacturer could provide a recommendation to go with an oil that has a higher viscosity if the usage of the oil is more demanding.