Oil is the lifeblood of your engine, but without your oil filter this fluid may struggle to keep your car in top shape. Learn more about your oil filter in this post.

What You Need to Know About Your Oil Filter

If you only know the very basics about your car, you may not know very much about our vehicle's oil filter. Although you may think that this part isn't all that important, it can make a huge difference when it comes to your car's oil. Learn all about its importance in this post.

What Is an Oil Filter?

All vehicles include an oil filter, which is basically a small part that is in charge of filtering your car's motor oil. Its location will depend on the model of your car with it either being only accessible from underneath your car or from the top. The oil filter was originally introduced in the 1920s but has developed drastically since its introduction into the market. The way an oil filter works is as the your vehicle's motor oil flows through the engine, it picks up contaminants and debris that have developed. Once the oil reaches the oil filter, it flows through it. At this stage the oil filter sifts the motor oil, removing and trapping the contaminants and debris. The oil is then cleaner, with fewer contaminants allowing it to continue protecting your engine.

Why Does Your Oil Filter Matter?

Now that you understand the most basic job of your oil filter, why does it matter? By now you know that all cars need motor oil in order to run. This fluid provides the lubrication and protection your engine needs to run safely, and it also helps keep your engine clean. Your oil filter is a big help when it comes to keeping your engine clean. You see, your oil picks up contaminants that can lead to deposits and buildup on your engine, but these contaminants ultimately get trapped by your filter so that they're no longer able to become a threat to your engine. This means your oil stays cleaner for longer, helping extend oil change intervals while also keeping your engine clean. This can lead to less premature engine wear and a healthier engine. To keep your engine in top shape, be sure to make your oil changes synthetic oil changes in Idaho Falls. For help finding the right products for your oil change, contact Schell Distributing Inc. at (208)524-0322. Not only can they recommend oil like AMSOIL's Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil, they can also help you find the perfect oil filter for your vehicle.

How Often Should You Change Your Oil Filter?

If you were to ask five different people this question, you may end up with five different answers. The most common recommendation says to change your oil filter every time you get an oil change. The reason for this is quite simple and very logical. Over time your oil filter will fill up with the debris its trapping. Once its full it will no longer be able to sift the particles out of your oil. This means your oil will be contaminated and dirty. Don't be alarmed, this is what oil changes are for. If you're replacing old, dirty oil with new, clean oil, why wouldn't you also change an old oil filter that is potentially full of debris? As your new oil starts to flow, an old filter may not be able to sift out debris as it starts to develop, meaning it won't be able to keep your oil clean for as long as a new filter could. An old filter full of debris may even lead to your oil getting contaminated faster since it will be exposed to debris right away. If you take care of your vehicle's oil changes yourself, you can definitely take care of changing the oil filter. Use these tips to do it correctly!

What Are the Different Types of Oil Filters?

If you take care of oil changes yourself, you can also change your car's oil filter yourself. Before you decide to do this, know what type of oil filter you will need. Below are some important factors to consider: Size: Oil filters come in different sizes. Using the incorrect size filter can lead to issues including oil leaks. Consult your owner's manual for information regarding your car's oil filter needs. Particle size retention: This term refers to a filter's ability to hold on to particles of various sizes. Better quality filters will be able to trap particles of many sizes, keeping your oil cleaner for longer. Dirt holding capacity: The dirt holding capacity measures how much dirt an oil filter can hold before it needs to be replaced. A filter that holds a large amount can ensure that your filter is able to do its job properly between changes. Check out AMSOIL's full range of oil filters here!

Synthetic Oil Change in Idaho Falls, ID

Remember to change your oil filter every time you get a synthetic oil change in Idaho Falls, ID! Contact Schell Distributing Inc at (208)524-0322 to get product recommendations and the personalized service you need to make oil changes a breeze! Stop by their online shop for their full range of products.