In this article we share some vital information about how important it is to change your oil filter regularly. Also a couple of gruesome pictures of a filter that was way past the point of being useful and would actively damage your engine.
Comparing oil filters
You don’t need to be a qualified motor engineer to see what’s wrong with one of these oil filters.
In the first picture below you can see 3 stages of oil filter use. The one of the left is brand new, spanking clean, and ready for use.
The middle filter has been in use for the normal period of 6,000 – 10,000 miles. It’s in need of replacement but is still just about usable. Oil can pass through the fins but it’s definitely showing signs of use.
The third one, well, I think we can see the problem here. It’s completely blocked so oil is entirely unable to pass through the filter.
Why your car needs an oil filter
You vehicle needs a functioning oil filter because the combustion process in both petrol and diesel engines creates carbon.
Most of the carbon exits the engine via the exhaust pipe. However, some carbon particles will make their way into other parts of the engine and get picked up by the oil. These particles of carbon are trapped in the oil filter to prevent them from damaging other parts of the engine.
The main purpose of the oil filter is to keep the oil clean so that it can effectively lubricate the engine. Lubrication is a vital to prevent wear and tear on the moving components in your car’s engine.
Once your car’s oil filter gets blocked like the one in the picture, clean oil can no longer flow through the engine at the correct pressure. Without clean oil to lubricate the moving parts, it won’t be long before the engine suffers a catastrophic failure.
So if the oil isn’t kept clean, and the engine isn’t well-lubricated, you’re potentially looking at some serious damange and expensive repair work.
Our advice: get your filter changed at the regular service intervals recommended for your vehicle. That’s usually 6,000 – 10,000 miles. If you really want to keep on top of things, changing your oil filter annually is no bad thing.
How we can help
When you bring your vehicle to VFR Motors for a full service, an oil check and filter replacement is just one of the ways we help to keep your car in good working order.
A filter check and replacement is not part of the standard MOT. Your annual MOT means your vehicle is legally roadworthy, but it’s no substitute for a full service.
If you don’t want to commit to a full service but you know you haven’t had the filter changed in a while, we can also do an oil change and filter replacement.
Call us on 0116 3190 118 or mobile 07850 881 911 to make an appointment. Alternatively, drop in for a chat at our friendly garage at on Shaftsbury Road, Leicester, LE3 0QN.
