The oil filter is one of a motor vehicle’s most important internal parts, as it helps prevent contaminants from reaching the engine. When contaminants come into contact with the engine and accumulate over time, they can cause devastating damage. While the importance of a strong oil filter may be obvious, choosing the right one for your vehicle is not always as clear.
These days, there are several different types of oil filters on the market. Here is an overview of the different types of oil filters and how to choose the best one for your vehicle.
1. Full-Flow
A full-flow oil filter is also known as a primary oil filter. This is one of the most common types of oil filters, and most carmakers use them in their vehicles. Some oil filters only clean a portion of a vehicle’s motor oil, but full-flow filters are built to cleanse impurities from all oil that the engine uses.
Full-flow oil filters are a good choice for drivers in areas with harsh winters. Freezing temperatures can thicken motor oil. When this happens, more limited types of filters may not be able to provide the engine with sufficient oil, which can cause damage. Full-flow filters make it easier for oil to flow throughout the engine, which ensures that the engine receives the oil it needs to run efficiently in cold temperatures. While they are especially useful in colder regions, full-flow oil filters are a good choice for drivers in all climates.
2. Secondary
Some vehicles are outfitted with secondary oil filters, which are designed to supplement full-flow oil filters. Acting as a support system for the primary filter, the secondary filter is built to clean less than 10 percent of the engine’s motor oil. It is essentially a backup system, removing contaminants that may have found their way through the primary filter. A secondary oil filter can improve the lifespan of a vehicle’s motor oil and offer additional engine protection.
3. Spin-On
Spin-on filters are types of full-flow oil filters, and they have been a popular choice among automakers since the 1960s. This type of filter consists of a steel canister, drain-back valve, bypass valve, and gasket. Spin-on oil filters are extremely easy to install and conduct maintenance on, as the need for tools is minimal. However, automakers have begun to shift back to a preference for cartridge filters due to environmental and financial concerns.
Drivers who prefer to conduct their own maintenance may want to consider a spin-on filter, as this option makes oil changes easier. However, the cartridge filter does not make oil changes overly complicated, so either option makes a fine choice for more hands-on car owners.
4. Cartridge
A cartridge filter is a variation of a full-flow filter, but it is usually built with cellulose filter media and plastic rather than metal. This makes cartridge filters more environmentally friendly, as they are easier to recycle, earning them the nickname “eco oil filters.” The ease of inspection is also a major benefit of cartridge filters. When mounted upright, the filter can be opened and inspected without draining the oil.
Cartridge oil filters used to be extremely popular, but spin-on filters became the preferred option for automakers between the 1960s and 1990s due to convenience. However, the eco-filter has made a comeback over the past 20 years or so, accounting for approximately 20 percent of the automotive market today.
5. Magnetic
Magnetic oil filters are a type of secondary filter that offers support to full-flow filters. A magnetic filter can remove metallic contaminants from the oil but is relatively ineffective against grime and dust. Magnetic oil filters are unique from the other types in that they do not need to be replaced. However, a regular cleaning routine is crucial for ensuring that the filter continues operating efficiently.
The magnetic filter consists of a permanent magnet or electromagnet that captures ferromagnetic particles. This type of filtration makes for easy maintenance, as you only need to clean these particles from the magnet’s surface.
6. Spinner
Similar to magnetic filters, spinner oil filters are secondary filters that work in tandem with primary oil filters. Spinners are also referred to as centrifugal oil filters because they use centrifugal force to trap and remove contaminants from a vehicle’s motor oil.
Compared to conventional oil filters, spinner filters are much less likely to become blocked. Additionally, these filters separate oil from water, causing the heavier water to settle at the bottom of the filter. This water can then be drained, which can prevent water-related damage to the engine and other internal parts.