One of the most important parts of a vehicle is the oil filter. As the name implies, it is used to decontaminate the oil in an engine from any impurities as the engine runs. It is a major part of the lubrication system of the vehicle’s engine to enhance its longevity and performance. Typically, oil filters are detachable units so they can be regularly cleaned and maintained.
Types of Filters
There are several types of oil filters used in vehicles. They are:
Mechanical filters – A mechanical filter’s design employs the use of layers of media such as paper as its main filtration element. As the impurities build up in the media, oil flow is restricted and the filter efficiency is reduced. For this reason, the media is regularly replaced or cleaned.
Mechanical filters are often categorized into bypass filters and full-flow filters. Bypass filters only act upon a portion of the oil flow while full-flow filters filter the whole stream. Sometimes, some engines make use of both, with the full-flow filter being the primary one.
Modern engines have two main filter designs: cartridge filters and spin-on filters. Cartridge filters have a removable cartridge that contain the filtration element. Only the filtration element is removed when the filter is cleaned.
Spin-on filters, on the other hand, attach directly to the side of the engine block. When replacing, the whole filter is usually disposed of.
Magnetic filters – Magnetic filters employ the use of magnets or electromagnets to capture impurities. The only downside is that only ferrous or iron-based impurities are being filtered by this filter.
Sedimentation filters – Sedimentation filters rely on gravity to do the work for them.
Centrifugal Oil filters – The filter utilizes the oil pressure from the main oil pump. On the center of the filter housing is a drum rotor where pressurized oil passes through. With the pressure, the drum rotors rotate and the and the stream of oil then goes to the bottom of the housing wall. During the process, the impurities are stuck in the inner wall.
Sidestream/kidney loop/offline filters