Have you ever changed your oil filter? Have you ever changed your oil filter without changing the oil? Most people have no idea that they can change the oil filter without opening the drain plug and letting all the old, dirty oil out.
Before you change your oil, it might be worth reading this blog post about what most people don’t know about changing the oil filter.
Table of Contents
- What Happens If You Change Oil Filter Without Changing Oil?
- Why Should I Change The Oil Filter?
- How Often Should I Change My Oil Filter?
- How To Change Oil Filter Without Changing Oil?
What Happens If You Change Oil Filter Without Changing Oil?
If you’ve changed your oil filter and not the oil, it’s not the end of the world. But you should know that this can cause problems down the road.
When you change your engine oil, you’re supposed to do a few things: drain out the old oil and replace it with new liquid; clean out any sludge and metal particles from inside your engine with an additive and use a new filter to keep dirt and other particles from entering your engine again. The last step keeps your engine running smoothly.
Also Read: New Alternator But Lights Still Flicker?
But if you don’t change the oil, then all those particles will still be in there — just floating around instead of being trapped by the filter. So when they get sucked up into your motor again, they’ll clog up everything in there and make it harder for your car to move forward smoothly. And if they block up places where air needs to go for your car to run right, then it might not even start up at all!
Why Should I Change The Oil Filter?
If you are unsure about when it is time for a change, here are 6 reasons why you should consider changing your oil filter:
- To reduce engine wear and tear
- To extend the life of your engine
- To prevent corrosion
- To save money on fuel
- To keep your engine running smoothly
- To prevent damage to the engine
Remember, if you don’t change your oil filter regularly, you might end up paying for costly repairs down the road.
How Often Should I Change My Oil Filter?
The frequency of oil changes depends on many factors, such as how often you drive, how much the vehicle is used, and the quality of the oil you use.
Here are some guidelines:
If you drive less than 5,000 miles a year and you’re using conventional oil, change your filter every 3,000 miles or three months, whichever comes first. If you do the same thing with synthetic oil, it should be changed every 7,500 miles or five months.
If you drive less than 10,000 miles a year but have an older vehicle (10 years or older), change your filter every 3,000 miles or three months, whichever comes first. If you do the same thing with synthetic oil, it should be changed every 7,500 miles or five months.
If you drive more than 15,000 miles a year but have an older vehicle (10 years or older), change your filter every 6 months. If you do the same thing with synthetic oil, it should be changed every 3 months during this period.
How To Change Oil Filter Without Changing Oil?
- Step 1: Put on safety glasses and gloves. If there’s any chance of dirt or other contaminants getting into your eyes or on your skin, it’s best to protect yourself with goggles and gloves.
- Step 2: Find the oil filter. Your car’s owner’s manual will tell you exactly where it is located on your vehicle, but it will typically be either under the hood or in between the engine block and transmission/engine housing. Check your manual for specifics.
- Step 3: Remove the old filter from its housing with a wrench (don’t have one? read this). There should be two bolts holding it onto the housing; unscrew them with a socket wrench and set them aside when they come off so you don’t lose them.
- Step 4: Pour fresh oil into the new filter once it’s installed on its housing (use at least 1 quart of fresh oil). This step can be skipped if your car has an oil pump that automatically refills itself with fresh oil as needed while driving down the highway, but if not, adding fresh oil directly into the filter is a good way to make sure you don’t forget and allow old, dirty oil to circulate through your engine.
- Step 5: Wipe up any excess oil that spilt out of the filter housing onto your car’s engine block or other parts. Use paper towels or rags for this step, as old rags should never be reused for cleaning purposes.
- Step 6: Replace any other necessary parts of your car’s engine (i.e., spark plugs). These need to be changed every 30,000 miles or so (60,000 km) anyway — so you might as well get it done at the same time you change your car’s oil filter!
FAQs
How long can an engine oil last without being changed?
The life of any oil depends on several factors including the quality of the oil, the operating conditions and the maintenance history of your vehicle. For example, if you are a heavy driver, you will need to change your engine oil more frequently than someone who drives less often.
Which is better – paper or cloth air filters?
Paper air filters are the most common type found in vehicles today. They’re inexpensive, easy to find and easy to replace. Some manufacturers even claim that paper air filters can be cleaned and reused multiple times before they need to be replaced.
Check out some more of our engine related articles!
About the author
Marcus Brown is editor-in-chief of The FatMech and is a mechanic with ten years' experience based in London, UK. Having worked for major dealerships for many years, Marcus now works for a local independent garage and has experience working on nearly every make and model of car. Marcus also has a passion for writing and teaching, which is where the idea for The FatMech came from. In his spare time, Marcus enjoys playing golf, doing home renovations and gardening. He lives just outside London with his wife and son.