Posted on 3/3/2013
So how do you like your drinking water – Clean or mixed with dirt and metal shavings? Clean, right? Your vehicle engine would answer the EXACT same way about its oil. Similar to your home water filter, an oil filter’s job is to remove oil contaminants. It sifts out the solid particles while allowing the oil to flow unrestricted through the engine. Likewise, over time the oil filter can become full or “clogged,” and the oil and contaminants will flow around the filter. As a safety mechanism, the bypass is allowed because as far as your engine is concerned, dirty oil is better than none at all. However, when this occurs, the contaminants (dirt and metal shavings) head straight for the engine where they can eventually cause permanent damage. Studies also show that fuel economy and emissions are adversely affected during by-passing. Ok, so then which do you prefer to breathe – fresh or stale, polluted air? Similar to the oil filter, your engine’s air filter cap ... read more