It is important to change the oil filter regularly. Most manufacturers recommend this and you should therefore check the owner manual. This is because the oil filter is the main protection of the engine crankshaft and the cam bearings since all the oil coming from the oil reservoir to the engine has to pass through a filter in newer models whose engines use the full flow filtration process. The filter removes unwanted solids such as metal particles, carbon and dirt. Lack of a properly functioning oil filter can lead to premature engine damage. However, you should note that the oil filter can be difficult to change for an untrained person and doing it wrongly can cause damage to the surrounding components.
For such a simple looking device, the oil filter can be surprisingly difficult to change. The ease or difficulty of replacing a filter depends on such things as the degree at which it is mounted, on the size, on the location, and on how it was installed. The oil filter accumulates debris over time and it reaches such a point that oil cannot pass through it. You should change the filter before this stage because filters have a bypass valve, which means oil will flow to the engine without being filtered.
Different car makers recommend different frequencies of changing oil filters. The main reason for this is that they are worried about their reputation. For most manufacturers, the recommended time for the change is once every 6000 to 15000 miles. Other manufactures recommend that you change the oil filter while you are changing the oil, but this is an expensive option for most people. You should change an oil filter more frequently if you doubt the cleanliness of the oil – always get your oil from a credible source and make sure it is the oil that the recommended by the manufacturer. An oil filter will only cost you about ten dollars while a new engine will cost you about $1,200. It is therefore unwise to risk your engine by staying with the same oil filter for too long.
You do not need a pro to change the oil filter. The first step in changing the oil filter is to locate it. It is located around the oil pan in the engine of most vehicles, but your car owner manual can help you locate it. To remove the oil filter, you will need to turn it counter clockwise. You will need a large locking wrench for this, but there are wrenches specifically designed for oil filter removal in the market. You should always wear protective eyewear and clad while doing this to avoid injury. Next, drain the oil from the filter into an oil drain container. Clean the oil filter seal surface and inspect the sealing gasket to make sure it is off the mounting surface. Fill sealing gasket of the new filter with a small amount of motor oil and install the oil filter by turning it clockwise by hand to avoid breakage. Wipe off the debris where the gasket will seat, replacement the gasket, and install the new oil filter by turning it clockwise with your hands to avoid damage.
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