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Oil is often referred to as the lifeblood of an automobile engine. A thin layer of oil molecules is in reality all that prevents friction between moving parts from creating excessive heat and turning the engine into a useless pile of scrap metal. If oil is the engine's lifeblood then the oil filter is the liver. The oil filter takes in dirty oil and traps particulates and crud. The oil filter then returns the clean oil back into the engine. This is important for, in addition to providing essential lubrication, oil also keeps internal engine parts clean of wear causing dirt. The oil filter is what keeps the oil clean. Thus the oil and oil filter work together to clean and lubricate the modern automobile engine.
Inside the Filter | Back To Top
While the oil filter is a relatively low-tech device, all oil filters are not created equal. Choosing a quality oil and oil filter is just as important as regular oil and oil filter changes. A poor quality oil filter may temporarily save a dollar, but can quickly cause thousands of dollars in engine damage. At the heart of the engine oiling system is the oil pump. The pump circulates oil through the engine at a required pressure. If an oil filter or oil filter base gasket fails due to rupture, a rapid loss of oil pressure and oil will result. A poorly constructed internal bypass valve inside the filter can open unnecessarily and cause the oil to simply go around the filter. Filtration is lost. Conversely a clogged oil filter will also cause a bypass valve to open. Choosing a quality oil filter means getting quality internal components and efficient filtration.
Specifications | Back To Top
Just because an oil filter looks right or screws onto the engine does not mean it's the right one for the job. The different parts inside are all manufactured to meet specifications for maintaining the correct oil pressure, volume of oil flow, pressure relief valve opening rates, and so on. Always select only an oil filter designed and built specifically to work with the engine and oil system it is to be spun onto. The professionals at Advance Auto Parts can help make the right selection from the beginning so your engine can stay around for the long haul. Follow along with the images to peer into the anatomy of an oil filter.
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