There are many factors to consider before buying an oil filter. However, most people are often made to believe that large oil filters are better since they can filter more. If you are shopping for an oil filter, you need to know that the efficiency of your oil filter has nothing to do with size, and neither does the brand name. Looking at some brands of oil filter for synthetic oils, the most important thing to look at is the quality of the filter paper material.
Factors to consider when choosing an oil filter
Dirt holding capacity
The dirt holding capacity is a very important feature to look for when buying an oil
filter. Ideally, the larger the capacity, the better. Different manufactures adopt various strategies when it comes to posting their dirt holding capacity. As much as modern engines are efficient, some older models tend to give off a substantial amount of metallic particle. If your car’s engine is not so good, get an oil filter that has a high capacity to hold particulate matter.
Mileage ratings
Most filter manufacturers give a filter life rating, which is normally expressed in terms of the mileage or distance traveled. Ideally, the type of engines should guide the oil filter ratings. Modern engines allow for longer mileage before initiating an oil replacement. Thus, it is imperative to choose an oil filter that matches your engine ratings. For instance, a filter meant for 3000 miles used in a car that goes for 7500 miles before making an oil change is bound to fail.
Brand
The brand chosen has very little to do with the efficiency of the oil filter. This is attributed to the fact that any manufacturer makes economy and OEM filters. As such, buying an economy filter from a renowned manufacturer would not make it better than a premium filter from a smaller company. As much some brands are perceived to be superior to others, always make an effort of digging deeper to ensure you get value for money.
Ideally, the most important thing to know when buying an oil filter is their ability to capture contaminants in the oil. This helps protect the engine block and the efficiency of the car. It is also important to change it often as a clogged filter could potentially interfere with engine lubrication. The best time to change an oil filter is when you are replacing the oil.