Why is the Quality of Oil and Fuel Filters in Vehicles Important?

Oil filters are among the most crucial components that affect the lifespan of an engine. As you may know, the very essence of the engine's moving parts avoiding wear and tear through friction lies in the engine's oil system. Additionally, the oil system has another vital role, which is to clean all substances that could result from wear and corrosion caused by parts in contact with each other in the engine, including tiny metal particles. This is precisely the task of an oil filter. The duty of an oil filter is to prevent these particles from entering between components that operate by coming into contact with each other, such as pistons and cylinders. So, what happens if an oil filter fails to perform this task effectively?

In such a case, debris or metallic particles will find their way into the gaps between cylinders and pistons. Consequently, the surfaces of pistons and cylinders will wear down over time, eventually leading to more significant malfunctions. For instance, in more advanced cases, issues like oil leakage into the combustion chamber and compression leakage may occur. Even the turbocharger bearing in the engine will gradually wear out, rendering the turbocharger unable to function correctly.

Using a low-quality oil filter can lead to the infiltration of these contaminants into your engine along with the oil. These particles are harmful to engine components in their own right and, on top of that, will adversely affect the lubricating properties of the oil. As a result, issues stemming from insufficient lubrication due to both the turbocharger and the engine may start to appear.

On the other hand, a high-quality oil filter does not release the oil it contains when the engine is turned off. This allows the engine to be lubricated more quickly when it starts running. A quality oil filter also possesses an effective bypass valve. Thanks to this valve, even if the filter were to get clogged, the engine would never run without oil. A low-quality bypass valve, on the other hand, can malfunction depending on usage and continue to stay open. Keeping the bypass valve open in this manner causes the unfiltered oil to be used for lubrication. Consequently, wear and corrosion will inevitably occur in all engine components lubricated with dirty oil.

While a quality oil filter may seem slightly more expensive at first glance, paying this price will save you from the expenses that using a low-quality oil filter can bring in the long run. This way, you can extend the life of your engine and ensure it performs at its best for more extended periods.

Speaking of engine life and performance, we cannot overlook the quality of the fuel filter. This is because the fuel filter is another essential component that directly affects both the life and performance of your engine. So, what is the exact function of a fuel filter?

In motor vehicles, fuel from the tank is delivered to the injectors. However, sometimes this fuel contains tiny particles that can cause engine problems. These particles can originate from various sources, including the fuel tank itself. A fuel filter is responsible for purifying the fuel, regardless of its source, to remove as many of these particles as possible before it is sent to the injectors. Using a low-quality fuel filter can lead to its deformation in a relatively short time due to usage. As a result, harmful particles will not be filtered out, and over time, they will clog the injectors. Consequently, an insufficient amount of fuel will be delivered to the cylinders, resulting in engine knocking. Ignoring this issue can lead to the knocking causing damage to the pistons and cylinders.