THE BENEFITS OF REGULARLY CHANGING THE OIL FILTER

The general guideline is to change your oil filter whenever you change your car. This cycle typically occurs around every 10,000 kilometres for petrol cars, while diesel cars may require an oil filter change every 15,000 kilometres. It's crucial to consult your vehicle's manufacturer handbook to determine the specific service interval for your car. Here are a few reasons to consider:

FULL-FLOW FILTRATION PROCESS:

Modern engines utilize a full-flow filtration process, where oil flows directly from the reservoir to the engine through the filter. As the engine's first line of defence against contaminants, the oil filter plays a crucial role in safeguarding your engine.

MINIMIZING ENGINE WEAR:

Over time, contaminants accumulate on the oil filter. Waiting until the filter is completely clogged risks obstructing the oil flow, preventing purified oil from reaching the engine. Fortunately, most oil filters are designed with a bypass valve to prevent catastrophic engine failures in case of a blocked filter. However, this allows oil (along with contaminants) to bypass the filter, leading to accelerated wear and tear on the engine.

COST-EFFECTIVE MAINTENANCE:

Synchronizing your oil change and oil filter change intervals helps reduce overall maintenance costs by combining both tasks into a single service. Oil filters are relatively inexpensive compared to the potential damage contaminants can cause your engine.

AVOIDING CONTAMINATION:

If you only change the oil without getting the oil filter change, the clean oil will have to pass through the dirty, old filter. This means the fresh oil will quickly become contaminated once it enters the engine, diminishing its effectiveness.

SYMPTOMS THAT MAY INDICATE AN EARLIER OIL FILTER REPLACEMENT:

Sometimes, your car may exhibit signs that the oil filter needs to be replaced earlier than expected. These signs include:

ILLUMINATED SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT

The presence of excessive grime and debris circulating in your engine can trigger the service engine light. This suggests that your oil filter may be getting clogged faster than usual. It's advisable to rule out simpler issues before investing in diagnostics and repairs.

OIL CHANGE INDICATOR OR OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT

Some newer vehicles feature specific warning lights related to oil changes or oil pressure. If these lights illuminate, it's essential not to ignore them and address the situation promptly.

DRIVING IN SEVERE CONDITIONS

Suppose you regularly operate your vehicle under severe conditions such as frequent stop-and-go traffic, towing heavy loads, extreme temperatures, or challenging weather conditions. In that case, you may need to get an oil filter change more frequently. Severe conditions place additional strain on the engine, necessitating more frequent maintenance of its components, including the oil filter.