![\"Which](\"https:\/\/drivinglife.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Which-Model.jpg\")
<\/picture><\/figure>\n\n\n\nOne of the first things that you should do is to be familiar with is that different vehicles require specific models of filters. If you see a filter that doesn’t say it’s for a specific type of car, you’ll need to look at the model number and find out if it will fit your car. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Luckily, most places that sell oil filters will let you enter the model of your vehicle and show you oil filters that are compatible with your car. You’ll likely get a list of filters to choose from and then you can select one that meets your criteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There may be other features that play a role in helping protect your engine as well, but the best choice is to find the right model and my choice would be to use synthetic media. Let’s find out why. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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3. Which Oil Filter Media To Choose?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The cheapest filters are made of “cellulose” or wood pulp and the more expensive synthetic oil filters are made with “micro-glass” which is fiberglass or it may say “synthetic media” which can be made from resin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most important parts of the oil filter is the filter media. The media captures the dirt, metal, and particles in your engine. A cellulose media filter might capture 40-micron sized particles, but a typical synthetic media filter can capture up to 20-microns. So, synthetic media can capture smaller particles<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Synthetic media can also capture more particles<\/strong>. Being able to capture smaller particles and more particles makes a synthetic filter likely your best choice for the best filter to get.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to pgfilters.com<\/a> “switching from a 40-micron oil filter to a 30-micron oil filter can reduce engine wear by as much as 50%.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n The best filters are synthetic filters. Many of these filters state they filter up to 20-micron. The smaller the micron filter the better it likely will filter particles. As mentioned previously a small decrease from 40 to 30 makes a big difference, so choosing 20 over 25 could also make a big difference<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n More Interesting Information<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, if you could find (I couldn’t) a filter that is longer than another oil filter this can also have a significant impact on filtering ability. According to machinerylubrication.com<\/a> if you “Double the size of the filter and you can triple the service life (dirt-holding capacity)<\/em>” <\/p>\n\n\n\n To go along with this, it’s generally better to have more pleats because it means more surface area to trap more particles. In addition, a thicker filter can filter more particles as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You might see mileage numbers on the boxes of oil filters ranging from 3,000 to 20,000 miles. Some 20-micron oil filters claim they can last 20,000 miles. While the smaller the microns the more it can filter, changing filters and oil should be done based on factors discussed later. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Once you find out how many microns the filter is the next number to look for is the percentage efficiency that the filter states. For example, most filters will say 99% efficiency while others may state a lower percentage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes it can be difficult to find the efficiency rating. When looking for the efficiency rating for the K&N oil filter, I went to Amazon.com, then K&N’s website, and finally found a number on a random website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you find two filters that have 20-micron media, just make sure to get the one that has a higher efficiency rating. That way it will capture more particles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I love this video because it shows that a more expensive filter isn’t always better quality. The video is a bit long, so if you just want the short advice video for his top picks you can check out his other video. (youtube.com)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The simple answer is that you should change the oil and the filter at the same time as recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. Synthetic oil and synthetic filters can last longer than the standard oil and standard filters, but the properties of the oil and the filter have changed enough after 3-5K miles to necessitate changing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The great thing about synthetic oil and synthetic filters is they can provide great protection for your engine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Can I use regular or synthetic oil with a synthetic oil filter? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You can use either type of oil with a synthetic oil filter. The synthetic part of the oil filter means the fibers of the filter are not wood pulp but fiberglass or resin, so they will accept any type of oil made for your car. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Why do I need to change the oil and filter at 5k if they can last longer? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Oil not only lubricates and carries particles to the filter, but it also carries “combustion by-products” (familyhandyman.com<\/a>) and helps with other chemical processes. After a few thousand miles the oil has changed, and is no longer as capable as it was at the beginning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The same can be said for the oil filter. Sure, it can hold a certain amount of particles, but there is a certain amount of guesswork<\/strong> involved. Each engine is different and you just can’t be sure how much wearing has occurred or how full of particles the filter is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes the oil can bypass the filter<\/strong> when pressure is high. Then all of those particles will continue to accumulate in the oil and cause wear, especially if the filter is full. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And your fuel efficiency<\/strong> will also be affected. “It takes energy and power from the engine to push oil through an overly restricted oil filter.” (machinerylubrication.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s best to change the oil and filter at regular intervals to get the most out of your engine and car’s performance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Do I need to change the oil and filter at the same time?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The filter to the right claims to be able to last 1 year or 20,000 miles. While learning about different oil filters this one seems to be a good one in my opinion, and it probably can last 20,000 miles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet, I wouldn’t push any filter past 5k miles because the oil and the filter have changed as mentioned before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you change the oil and not the filter, you push new oil through a dirty filter, and not only will the oil flow be impacted, it may also pick up particles from the filter and reintroduce them into the engine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you change the filter and not the oil, the oil won’t be as effective at neutralizing acids and protecting the engine from oxidation. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n It’s best to change your oil and filter at the same time and at regular 3-5k intervals or as suggested by the car manufacturer, so you get the best cleaning and engine performance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can find this filter at autozone.com<\/a> for $10 currently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although this filter claims to have a 10k mile life span, I would still change it to 5k miles for the best protection of my engine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This filter works well because it can filter at 20 microns at 99% efficiency, just like the previous filter. Other filters at 25 microns or more are going to wear down the engine parts much quicker. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This filter has a solid metal construction inside and has a densely packed pleated media filter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While researching different filters, I’ve found many well-constructed filters, but the problem with them was that although people gave them good reviews, they couldn’t filter well. They ranged from 25-50 microns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The STP filter uses synthetic resin media, so it can hold a lot of particles. It has lots of pleats, but the media is thinner than the Fram filter. However, it should capture particles fairly well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The metal construction on the ends and in the middle make this filter one that can stand up to harsher conditions or, like the product states, can last longer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Features<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Although I could not find the information for the micron levels on the Bosch website or Amazon.com, there are several websites that claim this filter is 20-microns, so I decided to add it to my list. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This filter claims to be 42 percent larger than conventional filters and 30 percent thicker. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This filter should work well for most people because it can filter at 20-microns at 99% efficiency like the other filters on this list. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This filter has a solid metal construction inside, which says that it can hold up to 14 grams of dirt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The end caps for the filter look like they are made of plastic, but one customer opened it up after using it and found that it was well constructed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The STP filter uses “natural and synthetic materials” for the media. This seems a lot like the Fram filter, so the cellulose may help absorb any water in the oil, or it may be there to reduce product costs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Features<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In summary, choosing an oil filter can be a bit tricky because you aren’t given all the details about all aspects of the product, even from the manufacturer’s website sometimes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I have found that most products that claim to be long-life products are manufactured better than the standard oil filter and usually have a good micron level, but not always. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Look for a 99% efficiency rating at 20-microns and this will likely give you the best filter for the reduction of wear in your engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thanks for visiting Drivinglife.net<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n References<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n4. Which Micron Oil Filter Number Should I Choose? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Do-Microns-Matter\"](\"https:\/\/drivinglife.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Do-Microns-Matter.jpg\")
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\n\n\n\n5. Find Out The Oil Filter Efficiency<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n6. Do the Materials In The Oil Filter Matter?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Change](\"https:\/\/drivinglife.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Change-Oil-Filter.jpg\")
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\n\n\n\n![](\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41LQr2IiBiL._SL500_.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=liw00-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=B0727SCP22\")
\n\n\n\n8. Should I Buy A Filter That Is Easy To get off? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![](\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41H1MHsrXGL._SL500_.jpg\")
![\"STP](\"https:\/\/drivinglife.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/STP-extended-life-oil-filter.jpg\")
<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n3. Bosch Premium FILTECH Oil Filter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![](\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/51Pj1mJWleL._SL500_.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=liw00-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=B000BZIFV0\")
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\n\n\n\nConclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=liw00-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=B000C33MI2\")