Change oil filter or keep it?

[TheLoneGunman]

Please respond quickly as I need to know by Tuesday morning.

I am getting another oil change about 800-1000 miles after my last one (it's free and my engine has about 105k so I figure it can't hurt)

I put in a premium filter and I'm wondering...

Do I let them swap it out (and either get their cheap replacement or pay about $8 for the top of the line) or do I tell them to keep the one in there? (since it will only get about 4k total on it)

[Ice-9]

It's basically a matter of personal preference. Running an oil filter an extra 1000 miles, with clean oil, shouldn't hurt anything, especially if you don't drive your car too hard. On the other hand, the main reason to change your oil is to switch out the filter, not the oil, since the oil remains effective for MUCH longer than the filter - I posted a while ago about a guy on my Porsche list who experimented with keeping the same oil and changing the filter every 3k for about 30,000 miles. He had no problems at all, even in a hard-driven car.

So if you want to save the $8, just leave the filter in there. If you want slightly better assurance that your car will continue to run fine for the next 3000 miles, change the filter.

I would change the filter - it's the cheapest and most effective insurance against breakdown.

[Sportzcoop]

They should be able to clean the current filter rather than replace it with a cheap one. I don't think it would hurt to keep the same filter you have in their now, but for the future you may want to consider a K&N type filter that is made to be reused. It works out to saving you money in the long run, and guarentees you'll always know what filter you have in your car instead of a no name coffee filter. Hope this helps.-Pete

[TheLoneGunman]

Went out and sprung for the new filter, thanks.

[Nanotech9]

K&N makes OIL filters?

[Sportzcoop]

don't know what i was thinking. must've been a rough day when i wrote that reply.

[aglio412]

Originally posted by DarkFury

Originally posted by Nanotech9
K&N makes OIL filters?

K & N DOES make oil filters... though I have never bought one.

Here it is on their website: http://www.knfilter.com/oilfilter.htm

(Yeah...we know that Sportzcoop was thinking of the air filter which is re-useable, but they also make an oil fiter. However I don't think it is re-useable. :D )

K&N oil filters are one time use and they're $10+ i've been using them b/c they have a 1" bolt head on the end...my car makes it quite the adventure when i need to remove the oil filter with a strap wrench...there's some sort of guard/support that gets in the way.

it's an A3 jetta...anyone have advice on making it easier for me? maybe i need a smaller strap wrench.

[Sportzcoop]

well uh uhm yeah thats what i meant to say, uh huh suuuure.

[pennypinch]

Originally posted by aglio412

Originally posted by DarkFury

Originally posted by Nanotech9
K&N makes OIL filters?

K & N DOES make oil filters... though I have never bought one.

Here it is on their website: http://www.knfilter.com/oilfilter.htm

(Yeah...we know that Sportzcoop was thinking of the air filter which is re-useable, but they also make an oil fiter. However I don't think it is re-useable. :D )

K&N oil filters are one time use and they're $10+ i've been using them b/c they have a 1" bolt head on the end...my car makes it quite the adventure when i need to remove the oil filter with a strap wrench...there's some sort of guard/support that gets in the way.

it's an A3 jetta...anyone have advice on making it easier for me? maybe i need a smaller strap wrench.



The Fram's have a coating on the end of the filter that allows you to hand tighten the thing. Given that you don't have a shriveled arm or something, you should be able to tighten the filter enough by hand.

[aglio412]

Originally posted by Sportzcoop
well uh uhm yeah thats what i meant to say, uh huh suuuure.

i don't get it...