Does the viscosity of your oil affect the filter you should use?
Auto repair

Does the viscosity of your oil affect the filter you should use?

Most car drivers know that an engine needs oil to run smoothly. The oil lubricates the various surfaces and components of the engine system, helping it run at peak efficiency. However, not everyone knows...

Most car drivers know that an engine needs oil to run smoothly. The oil lubricates the various surfaces and components of the engine system, helping it run at peak efficiency. However, not everyone knows that the type of oil running through your engine can make a difference. Different viscosities or thicknesses are better suited to certain vehicles or driving conditions, affecting every part of the engine system. Oils of various viscosities are also best suited for certain types of oil filters. Here are some general guidelines for selecting the correct oil filter with the correct viscosity oil:

  • First select the best oil viscosity for your vehicle and then decide on a filter. Consult your car or truck owner's manual for the optimum oil thickness for your engine system before anything else, because the type of oil you use is more important than the filter itself. Any oil filter will work for a while; it just might wear out faster with different oil viscosities.

  • For lower oil viscosity, a lower quality oil filter can be used. Because the oil is relatively thin, you don't have to worry about it having a hard time passing through the filter media; although there is really nothing wrong with having a higher class filter. Choose a standard grade with pleated paper or synthetic media. In other words, just about anything will do in this situation, so you can take the cheaper route.

  • With thicker oil viscosities, especially when operating the vehicle at low temperatures, you should select a higher quality oil filter to withstand the higher filtration requirements. This is because the oil does not pass through the oil filter as easily and wears it out faster. In this case, a high performance filter with a stronger synthetic material (as opposed to folded paper) is a better choice.

  • Some cars are in a class of their own, such as racing cars. If you're a proud owner of a McLaren 650 or a Lamborghini Aventador, for example, your car has special needs when it comes to the right oil viscosity and oil filter to handle high levels. These vehicles usually require a lower viscosity or thinner oil and special racing filters.

Thus, the lower the viscosity of the oil, the lower the recommended oil filter rating, and vice versa. Consult your car or truck owner's manual for the recommended viscosity, then select the correct oil filter for the job. If there is any doubt as to which oil viscosity or oil filter is best for your vehicle, our highly trained mechanics will take a close look at your vehicle's make and model, and any driving conditions or environment that may be affecting, before recommending right choice. Oil viscosity and filter for your situation. For your convenience, our mechanics can replace your oil with the best type, as well as equip your system with the most suitable oil filter.

Add a comment