You should change your car's oil filter every time you change the engine oil.
Why Change Your Oil Filter Every Oil Change?
While modern vehicles are designed to go longer between oil changes, often 6,000 to 7,500 miles, the oil filter plays a critical role in keeping your engine clean. The filter removes contaminants, ensuring clean oil circulates through the engine. According to mechanics, it's considered a best practice to replace the oil filter with every oil change to maximize engine health and performance.
- Optimal Performance: A fresh oil filter is better equipped to capture dirt and debris, maintaining the cleanliness of your oil and, by extension, your engine.
- Avoiding Build-up: Using the same filter for multiple oil changes can lead to a buildup of contaminants, which reduces the effectiveness of the filter and can potentially harm the engine.
- Cost-Effective: Changing the oil filter with every oil change is a relatively inexpensive and proactive maintenance step to avoid potentially larger repairs later.
Recommended Oil Change Intervals and Filter Replacement
The typical recommended oil change intervals for newer vehicles are between 6,000 and 7,500 miles. The outdated recommendation of changing your oil every 3,000 miles is generally not necessary for modern vehicles. However, regardless of the mileage interval for the oil, the filter should always be changed at the same time.
| Maintenance Task | Recommended Interval |
|---|---|
| Oil Change | 6,000 - 7,500 miles (newer vehicles) |
| Oil Filter Change | Every oil change |
Practical Insights:
- Check Your Vehicle Manual: Consult your car’s owner’s manual for specific recommendations for your vehicle model, as they may differ slightly.
- Severe Driving Conditions: If you frequently drive under harsh conditions (stop-and-go traffic, extreme temperatures, or hauling heavy loads), consider shortening the oil change and filter replacement intervals to ensure adequate protection for your engine.
- DIY vs. Professional: Whether you change your oil and filter yourself or take your car to a mechanic, make sure the filter is replaced with each oil change.
Conclusion
Changing your oil filter every time you change your engine oil is a smart and inexpensive preventative measure to keep your engine running smoothly. Following this advice ensures your engine has clean oil and reduces the chances of premature wear and tear.
