Oil is the lifeblood of your car or truck (or motorcycle, boat, plane, tractor or other) engine. Quite simply. But as the oil circulates through the engine, it also drains a number of contaminants. This dirt can obviously damage your engine. To the point of causing an irreparable breakdown.

How do oil filters work?

Early internal combustion engines did not use oil filters and with the poor quality of oil available at the time, vehicles required frequent oil changes. Eventually, the first full circulation oil filtration system was developed. This device allowed oil to circulate through the filter before reaching crucial components inside the engine.

So far so good, but there was one big caveat: The vast majority of pressurized lubrication systems inside internal combustion engines include some form of filter bypass to protect the engine from running out in certain circumstances. A good example is very cold weather. In this situation, if the oil is too thick, it can bypass the filter. Oil can also bypass the filter when it is clogged. In these cases, the oil is sometimes not filtered, even when the engine is equipped with a full circulation oil filter.

In operation, oil enters the filter through a series of small holes on the outer edge of the base flange. The oil is then directed through the filter, exiting into the engine through the large hole in the center. Most modern oil filters are equipped with a backflow preventer valve. This is often a form of rubber membrane that covers the perimeter holes on the base flange. The membrane experiences pressure from the sides as oil enters the filter housing. When the engine is not running, the rubber membrane covers the holes. Obviously, the anti-backflow valves keep the oil in the filter. They also help prevent dry engine starts (when the engine starts without oil).

Automotive experts all agree that dirt is the number one cause of engine wear and breakdown. Dirt particles from engine operation are extremely abrasive. They are made up of dust, soot, other particles sucked in by the air inlet, microscopic metal particles generated by friction inside the engine as well as pollutants from fuel degradation.

These particles are transported in the oil by the clearance between the different removable parts of the engine and cause wear by grinding the surfaces. They modify spaces and generate even more abrasive fragments. This cycle causes significant wear and tear on precision components until they fail completely. Therefore, constant and uninterrupted lubrication in conjunction with filtration is of paramount importance for the proper functioning of all internal combustion engines.

Good filtration is essential to prevent breakdowns and costly repairs due to engine dirt. Oil filters help purify circulating oil to maintain a clean engine and contribute to its performance.

Early oil filter designs

Early oil filter designs relied on a replaceable element inserted into a metal housing. To change the filter, you had to remove the housing, discard the element, clean the housing, add a new filter, and reinstall the assembly into the engine. In the mid-20th century, spin-on filters gained popularity. The filter element and cartridge are self-contained. Simply remove the assembly, throw it away and screw in a new filter when draining. Today we are seeing a return to the first oil filter design. In this system, the oil is filtered by an element contained in a separate housing, because the replaceable filter element is more environmentally friendly than a spin-on filter. Remember that today's motor vehicles require far fewer oil changes than those of the past.

Types of oil filters today

Many types of oil filters are available today, and there is an equally large number of tests during which various filters are dismantled and diagnosed. The truth is, not all oil filters are created equal. Result: Quality is generally proportional to price.

Paper or plastic?

Another difference is the filter media. Some filters are equipped with a synthetic filter media (rather than a pleated paper media). Synthetic media is considered capable of trapping small contaminants for longer (more miles). Additionally, some synthetic filters include special rubber blends for the seal rings and discharge valves. The objective? Just like the filter media, they are designed to last longer. Finally, some synthetic filters have larger (usually longer) bodies than conventional filters, meaning they have greater capacity.

LEFILTER oil filters are made from selected raw materials such as strong paper media, stainless steel, durable plastics and silicone. These materials undergo strict quality control before being incorporated into the manufacturing process. Our engineers strictly select these materials through testing, exhaustive market research and feedback from customers. This ensures impeccable quality of the finished product.

Recent technological developments use filter media with specially treated resins to extend the life of the filter. This development is intended for use in vehicles with fully synthetic lubricants, which allow for long intervals between oil changes.

We combine several factors to ensure the quality of our oil filters throughout the production process. Production facilities, advanced manufacturing, technical expertise and experienced staff enable us to manufacture filters of superior quality.

Rigorous inspections during visual tests and laboratory tests are carried out at every stage of manufacturing. They help ensure that our filters are fault-free before leaving the factory. At the same time, we respect health, safety and environmental regulations and our commitment to our employees.

If you are interested in our oil filters, please contact us and we are here to help you.