Oil Filter Size: Why Are Oil Filters Different Sizes?

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Life tends to provide choices, and that's certainly true when it comes to oil filters. A visit to a car shop will make it clear that there are oil filters on the market ranging from small to large. Why do oil filters come in different sizes and does oil filter size matter? Let’s answer these questions below.

WHAT DOES AN OIL FILTER DO?

The oil filter plays a key role in the health of your car's engine. Motor oil keeps your engine lubricated and also absorbs contaminants that your engine comes into contact with while running. These pollutants can be divided into two broad categories:

Organic contaminants such as bacteria and bugs.

Inorganic contaminants such as dust, metal particles and debris from engine wear.

An oil filter supports the engine by keeping your car's oil free of organic and inorganic contaminants that can enter the engine while the car is running or working. This helps improve your car's performance and extend the life of your engine.

WHY DO OIL FILTERS COME IN DIFFERENT SIZES?

Oil filters all serve the same general purpose: they help keep the oil clean and contain contaminants. Some engines, such as those in simple passenger cars, only require a small filter to handle the relatively small amount of oil in the vehicle. Larger or higher-powered engines, such as those in heavy-duty transport vehicles or high-performance cars, will require more oil to flow at a higher rate to keep them cool and lubricated, which means they need larger filters.

Different filters can also perform different duties on different vehicles. Here are some examples of oil filter types and their functions:

Primary Oil Filter: This type of oil filter is also known as a full-flow filter. It is responsible for filtering all the oil that passes through your car's engine. This type of oil filter is found in most car engines.

Secondary Oil Filter: This filter purifies up to 10% of your vehicle's oil. It is usually used with the main oil filter. If your vehicle is not originally equipped with a secondary oil filter, you may choose to install a secondary oil filter after purchasing the vehicle.

Hot Cell Oil Filter: A hot cell oil filter increases the temperature of the oil. This is done to burn off harmful contaminants. These filters consume electricity when operating, reducing fuel efficiency.

Spin filter: Spin filter is also known as centrifugal filter. They clean engine oil by trapping contaminants in a rotating motion.

Magnetic Oil Filter: Magnetic oil filters are designed to remove certain metal contaminants from oil. But keep in mind that this filter will not work on impurities like dust and bugs.

WHICH OIL FILTER SHOULD I CHOOSE?

The best oil filter for your vehicle is the one recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. This information will be listed in your car's owner's manual. The manual will also provide guidance on how often your oil filter needs maintenance or replacement. If you know your car already has the correct filter installed, you can also simply replace it with the exact same make and model.

Engine repairs can be expensive, so be sure to check your oil frequently and change it if necessary, and always replace your filter with a new one. By doing this, you can help keep your vehicle on the road for years to come.