It is better not to save on car filters
Car filters are an indispensable structural element of any vehicle. Depending on their function, they purify air, fuel or oil. They should be replaced at least once a year and never skimp on them. Postponing replacement is only an apparent saving, as repairing a damaged engine can cost many times the cost of replacing a filter.
What to look for?
First of all, make sure the oil filter is changed. This is of great importance for the engine, since its durability depends on the quality of the filtration. It is very important not to overload the filter, because even after the cartridge is completely clogged, unfiltered oil will flow through the bypass valve. In this case, it easily gets on the motor bearing along with all the contaminants in it.
This is very dangerous, because even a tiny grain of sand that gets into the engine can cause enormous damage. Even a microscopic piece of rock is much harder than steel, such as a crankshaft or camshaft, causing deeper and deeper scratches on the shaft and bearing with each revolution.
When filling the engine with oil, it is extremely important to keep the engine clean and to ensure that no unwanted contaminants enter the engine. Sometimes even a tiny fiber from the cloth we wipe our hands with can get into the camshaft and damage the bearing over time. The role of a properly functioning filter is to retain this type of contamination.
“The fuel filter is also an important element of engine design. This is all the more important, the more modern the engine. It plays a special role, in particular, in diesel engines with common rail injection systems or unit injectors. If the fuel filter fails, the injection system can be destroyed,” says Andrzej Majka, designer of Wytwórnia Filters “PZL Sędziszów” SA. “According to the recommendations of experts, fuel filters should be changed every 30-120 thousand. kilometers, but it is safest to change them once a year,” he adds.
Air filters are just as important
Air filters should be changed much more frequently than the manufacturer requires. A clean filter is very important in gas systems and installations as less air creates a richer mixture. Although there is no such hazard in injection systems, a worn filter greatly increases flow resistance and can lead to reduced engine power.
For example, a truck or bus with a 300 hp diesel engine. consumes 100 million m000 of air while traveling 50 2,4 km at an average speed of 3 km/h. Assuming the content of pollutants in the air is only 0,001 g/m3, in the absence of a filter or a low-quality filter, 2,4 kg of dust enters the engine. Thanks to the use of a good filter and a replaceable cartridge capable of retaining 99,7% of impurities, this amount is reduced to 7,2 g.
“The cabin air filter is also important as it has a huge impact on our health. If this filter becomes dirty, there may be several times more dust inside the car interior than outside the car. This is due to the fact that dirty air constantly gets inside the car and settles on all interior elements,” says Andrzej Majka, designer of the PZL Sędziszów filter factory.
Since the average car user is not able to independently evaluate the quality of the filter being purchased, it is worth choosing products from well-known brands. Do not invest in cheap Chinese counterparts. The use of such a solution can only give us visible savings. The choice of products from a trusted manufacturer is more certain, which guarantees the high quality of its products. Thanks to this, we will be sure that the purchased filter will perform its function properly and not expose us to engine damage.
