Did you know that in 2020 the global oil filters market was worth more than $20 billion?
Oil filters are something that many of us tend to ignore, but they’re a vital part of your vehicle.
Oil filters stop particles from building up in the oil that keeps your engine clean and running smoothly. Without the filters, our own engine oil would soon be working against us by wearing away our engines.
Not all filters are created equal, however. You need to be sure to make the right choice.
Read on as we look at some key tips for buying oil filters.
1. Consider Your Driving Style
When choosing a filter it’s important to consider your driving style.
If you only use your car now and again for short journeys, then it doesn’t make sense to use high-performance filters intended for high-performance driving. If you do use your car in high-performance situations, however, then a run-of-the-mill filter probably isn’t going to be up to the job.
Choose the right filter to fit how you use your vehicle.
2. Size and Efficiency
There are a number of different options when it comes to choosing oil filters. Two of the most important are size and efficiency.
First off, with many different oil filter sizes, you need to be sure you’re choosing the right size to fit your car. You can buy the best filter in the world, but if it doesn’t fit your car, then it’s no use to you.
Secondly, there’s efficiency. This is a measure of how efficient filters are at blocking particles of different sizes. You want to get a filter that is efficient at blocking the smaller particles as this will provide your engine with more protection.
3. Make Sure It’s Vehicle Appropriate
With so many oil filter options available, it’s easy to fall into the trap of buying a filter that isn’t ideal for your type of vehicle.
Filters for trucks might not be ideal for small cars, and if you’re looking for a filter for a work vehicle such as a skid steer, then you’ll need something like a Takeuchi service kit rather than a filter designed for a car.
Do your research to ensure the filter is the right fit for your needs.
4. Recommended Change Intervals
Some filters are hardier than others and can last longer before they require changing.
Most filters come with a recommended change interval. You should take this into account when making your choice; you’ll need to buy replacement filters on the recommended schedule, and also take the time to change the filters too.
5. Price
A big factor in your final decision will be the price.
We would definitely recommend that you don’t skimp on your oil filter budget. As we’ve seen, oil filters are there to protect your engine, so it’s worth spending a little more on something that does the job right.
If you opt for a cheap filter, your engine is unlikely to thank you for it.
It’s Worth Doing Your Research When Buying Oil Filters
As you can see, when you’re buying oil filters there are plenty of decisions to be made.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Depending on the type of vehicle, your driving style, your usage, the cost, and more, you’ll need to make an informed choice as to which are the best oil filters for your needs. It’s worth taking the time to make sure that you’re making the right choice, as the wrong choice can end up costing you money and could even damage your car.
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