Image via WikipediaWhat are the important things to consider when one goes to buy motor oil filters? As with motor oil, it pays to invest in a quality product. Your engine's performance depends on efficient oil filtration and you should not cut corners when it comes to your oil filter.Your oil filter is important because running your engine produces contaminants which need to be removed. These particles cause engine wear-so you want to filter out as many of them as possible. Which type of oil filter is most effective for this task?
Oil filters are rated for overall efficiency-the percentage of all contaminants removed. Contaminants are measured in microns and it has been shown that most engine wear is caused by particles between 5 and 20 microns, so you want a filter which can remove particles this small. Normal, off-the-shelf cellulose filters are 70 to 80% efficient and this means they are only absolutely effective with particles around 30 to 40 microns. They are nominally efficient at 20 microns, which means that all of these particles will not be caught. High efficiency oil filters, however, which are made from some combination of glass, cellulose and synthetic fibers, are absolutely effective down to 15 to 20 microns and are nominally efficient down to 5 to 10 microns.
Obviously these filters remove more contaminants than cellulose ones. By utilizing this advanced level of filtration, you can reduce engine wear significantly (40-70%).
Good oil filters will have such features as metal endcaps, silicone anti-drain valves, an HNBR nitrile gasket, a heavy duty baseplate, thick outer housing and wire mesh backed filtration media. You may not find all of these features in any one filter, but you should look for as many of them as possible. Remember that when you buy motor oil filters, purchasing a high efficiency model can help extend your car's life considerably.
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