Can an oil filter still be used after 5 years?

[Beth]

An oil filter can still be used after 5 years. Function of the oil filter: The oil filter can filter out impurities, supply clean oil to the engine, reduce engine friction and wear, and extend the engine's lifespan. Impact of not replacing the oil filter: During engine operation, metal shavings, dust, oxidized carbon deposits and gum-like deposits under high temperatures, water, and other contaminants continuously mix into the lubricating oil. If not replaced regularly, the oil filter may become damaged, preventing the oil from being properly filtered. This allows unfiltered oil to enter the lubrication circuit, carrying contaminants into the friction surfaces of moving parts, accelerating component wear, and reducing the engine's service life.

[MacIsaac]

I'm the type who really takes care of my car. Just checked the info and found that leaving an oil filter unused for 5 years is a no-go. The rubber sealing ring inside would have aged and hardened by then—definitely gonna leak if installed. The filter paper material would also get moldy and deformed over time, completely failing to catch metal shavings. Last time, my neighbor didn't believe it and used a filter that had been sitting for three years. Ended up with the oil pressure light flashing like crazy. When they opened it up, it was completely clogged. A new filter only costs a few dozen bucks these days—skimping on this could risk engine damage, and repairs would run you at least a few thousand. Totally not worth it. Always remember to replace the oil filter when changing the oil—it's basic common sense.

[JacksonFitz]

Back when I was in the auto parts business, I saw way too many filters that had been stored for too long. The packaging might look intact, but inside they were already damp and oxidized. Especially in the humid environment of southern regions, the filter paper absorbs moisture and turns into hard clumps, reducing filtration efficiency to less than 30% of a new filter. Once, a customer demanded a refund for a four-year-old stock filter - when we opened it, the metal casing had white frost on it. Nowadays, reputable manufacturers set a maximum shelf life of three years for filters; five years is definitely beyond the safe limit. Using such filters would accelerate engine wear, and you might even end up needing a major overhaul.

[SanAlana]

Twenty years of car repair experience tells me that long-stored filters are ticking time bombs. The rubber components lose their elasticity after five years and are prone to cracking under stress during cold starts. The filter paper inside is even more fragile, breaking and falling apart with slight vibrations, turning into a source of contamination instead. Last week, I repaired an engine where the owner used an old filter to save money, and upon disassembly, we found the bearing shells scratched by shredded paper debris. My advice is to have the mechanic open the packaging on the spot during maintenance—never use stockpiled filters.