How often should the oil filter be replaced?
3 Answers
Oil filters should be replaced every 5,000 kilometers. Detailed instructions for oil filter replacement are as follows: 1. Drive the car into the maintenance bay and use a lift to raise the vehicle to a height of 160-170 cm. 2. Use a dedicated oil filter wrench to remove the oil filter by turning it counterclockwise. 3. Take out the new oil filter from the packaging and inspect the threads and rubber seals on the new filter. 4. Install the oil filter, secure it, and then tighten the oil filter clockwise using a dedicated tool. 5. After installation, add engine oil to the specified level, run the engine for at least 3 minutes, and check for any oil leaks.
I often encounter fellow car enthusiasts asking this question. Based on my experience, it's best to change the oil filter along with the engine oil. Take my SUV for example - I basically change it every six months or after driving about 7,000-8,000 kilometers. The principle is actually quite simple. This thing works like a mask for the engine, specifically filtering out metal shavings, dust and other contaminants from the oil. If you use full synthetic oil, you can extend the interval slightly, but never get lazy about it! Last time I saw a guy who hadn't changed it for two years - when we opened it up, the filter paper had turned into mud. The result? His engine seized up and cost over 5,000 yuan to repair. Reminder to everyone: check your maintenance manual for the most accurate intervals. Japanese cars usually require changes every 5,000 km, while German cars might go up to 10,000 km. But if you frequently drive short distances in stop-and-go traffic, it's better to change it a few hundred kilometers early.
As a veteran car owner with 200,000 kilometers on the odometer, my experience is that the oil filter must be strictly replaced according to the maintenance schedule. Every time I get an oil change, the mechanic proactively replaces the oil filter for me because the old filter is completely clogged with sludge, which would immediately contaminate the new oil. During my last maintenance, I saw the old filter being cut open—the filter paper gaps were entirely blocked with metal particles. The mechanic said running just 1,000 km more in that condition could damage the engine pistons. Now I follow a strict routine: mineral oil gets changed every 5,000 km without fail, full synthetic at most 8,000 km—I take the upper limit if I do more highway driving and the lower limit for city commuting.
