Updated: 11/28/2018 15:19:42

Expert: David Weinberg

*Review of the best sites according to the editors. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

How to choose an oil filter

The choice of an oil filter, despite the overall simplicity of the design, includes a lot of features and subtleties that must be taken into account. Expertology magazine recommends contacting Special attention on the following aspects:

Filter type. There are three types oil filters:

1. full flow - they incorporate a bypass valve that regulates the oil pressure in lubrication system. It protects seals and gaskets between blocks from damage and ruptures, bypassing excess pressure from the engine crankcase. In case of complete exhaustion of the filter resource (its clogging), in order to avoid oil starvation the valve ensures the flow of contaminated oil so as not to cause the engine to overheat.
2. partial flow – provide finer filtration than full flow models, and therefore require more time for the cleaning process. However, this principle of operation allows you to avoid pressure drops in the event of a clogged filter, as well as in case of accidental sticking of the bypass valve.
3. combined – extra filters fine cleaning oils that combine the advantages of the first two types and exclude them characteristic deficiencies. They are more expensive than others, but they can significantly increase the service life of rubbing pairs and are recommended for use in heavily loaded engines.

Serviceability of the bypass valve. This aspect is quite difficult to check when purchasing a filter, but if such an opportunity is provided, be sure to make sure that the valve opening pressure is slightly higher (literally 0.1 bar) than the upper limit of the relevant system pressure. In this case, you will definitely protect the engine from unfiltered oil with a high content of abrasive particles. In a similar way, you can check the reverse shut-off valve for tight closure in order to prevent oil leakage when the engine is idle.

Filter paper thickness. This parameter directly affects the filter's working life. The greater the thickness of the paper layer, the higher the susceptibility to blockages and complete depletion. In addition, points related to the maximum heating temperature of the engine oil should be taken into account. Be sure to find out what the permissible operating temperature of the oil filter is, so as not to cause the paper to burn out during normal engine operation.

Hull integrity. An indicator of secondary importance, which can significantly affect the operation of the filter. Before purchasing, be sure to check for external damage to the housing, valves, and the integrity of the filter paper.

Manufacturer. IN in this case the value of a branded product is obvious, since counterfeit products often fail quickly and can also lead to a number of more critical malfunctions. In this regard, we strongly recommend that you purchase products from famous brands that have certificates of compliance with modern quality standards.

Rating of the best oil filter manufacturers

Nomination	place	Name of product	rating
Best Inexpensive Oil Filters	1		4.7
	2		4.6
	3		4.5
	4		4.5
	5		4.4
The best manufacturers oil filters in terms of price-quality ratio	1		4.9
	2		4.8
	3		4.8
	4		4.7
	5		4.6
	6		4.5
The best oil filter manufacturers premium segment	1		4.9
	2		4.8
	3		4.8
	4		4.7

Best Inexpensive Oil Filters

Goodwill represents that rare type of manufacturer whose range includes filters from the budget, mid-range and premium price segments. The quality of the products in all variations is excellent, and the service life strongly depends on the driving modes that the user chooses, the frequency of car maintenance and its technical condition.

According to experts, the operating conditions of oil filters from GoodWill may be sufficient for 15-20 thousand kilometers, possibly even with a residual resource. As for consumers, they generally respond positively to the product, noting its large selection on the retail market. Those who order filters through service centers, located throughout the country, complain about sluggish service and incompetence on the part of the staff, but currently these problems have been practically leveled out.

Advantages

• widespread in the retail market;
• high quality filtration;
• the pledged resource is enough for 15-20 thousand kilometers;
• high dependence of filter operation on operation.

Flaws

• not found.

The phenomenon on the market is far from new and until recently very situational; Sakura is the result of high-quality work done to give filters the required qualities with minimal costs for their subsequent purchase. Following the trends of the Japanese style, all manufactured goods undergo strict control at the most important operations, excluding secondary steps from the manufacturing technology.

The results of such manipulations are more than impressive: the defect rate barely reaches 4%, and the approximate working life varies within 10 thousand kilometers. Row independent tests still revealed some shortcomings associated with working in severe overheating conditions, but in essence such behavior cannot be attributed to shortcomings. User reviews, in turn, confirm the good quality of the product under nominal operating conditions, citing stable and easy operation of the engine during operation. Reinforces a good reputation and is very low price, almost the same as in the case of domestically produced filters.

Advantages

• very low cost of production;
• the working life of one filter is enough for 10 thousand kilometers;
• low level of defects associated with strict production control;
• widespread in Russian cities;
• acceptable filtration quality.

Flaws

• not detected.

Magnitogorsk manufacturer of budget oil filters, revived after a complete stop of production due to lack of funding and low demand for products. The BelMag line production was launched in 1996, when the conveyor belt of the domestic automobile industry urgently needed oil cans. Having found itself heavily dependent on a single (in fact) customer, the company could not survive the decline in the auto manufacturing niche and the entry of new companies into the market, announcing its own closure.

A new milestone in the history of BelMag was marked with the arrival of the united concern Renault-Nissan, which entered into another agreement for the supply of oil filters for domestic conveyors. Initially mediocre, the quality of products began to gradually increase with the increase in capacity, and today has reached the ceiling within the budget segment, equaling the recognized giants.

Advantages

• We have oil filters for VAZ, Renault and Nissan cars;
• high quality within the segment;
• low price due to the selection of inexpensive materials;
• widespread in retail.

Flaws

• not detected.

A Russian manufacturer that was included in the ranking of the best thanks to the production of oil filters not only for passenger cars, but also for trucks, providing products to the entire territory of the CIS. The latter became possible solely due to the fact that already at the formation stage the company was able to ensure satisfactory quality of filter elements. Later, their own developments were supported by foreign technologies in order to provide the “oil cans” with an even greater level of compliance with accepted quality standards.

Despite the low cost of filters from Avtoagregat, it is often simply impossible to find them in retail. The fact is that the working foundations of the company rest on the need to work according to orders, delivering the product directly to the conveyor lines of VAZ, KamAZ, Ural, etc. factories. In this regard, only a small part of the produced consumables (no more than 10-15%) goes to retail sales, which is the most negative quality of the brand from the point of view of consumers.

Advantages

• work on equipping conveyors of automobile factories in the domestic and foreign markets;
• nominally high product quality, compliance international standards quality and safety;
• low price.

Flaws

• only a small part of oil filters goes on retail sale.

Without exaggeration, a leading manufacturer of auto filters, developing inexpensive products for the domestic and foreign spare parts market. The main advantage and feature of this brand is the presence of a contract for the supply of consumables for Volkswagen factories located on the territory of Russia.

As experts note, the value of BIG Filter lies in the wide range of oil filters produced: the model range includes more than 100 types of products that have passed multi-stage testing for compliance with quality standards. In particular, special attention is focused on ensuring proper operation shut-off valves, preventing oil leakage when the engine is idle. As for consumers, many prefer to install filters from BIG instead of standard ones at the stage of finishing working life, and, in general, are satisfied with the quality of the engine. It is noteworthy that the company always strives to update its product range, and has recently launched an increasing number of technological products for sale.

Advantages

• development of filter elements for domestic and foreign enterprises automobile concerns;
• high degree of product recognition (characteristic green color body);
• proper quality manufacturing;
• reasonable price tag for the entire range.

Flaws

• not found.

The best manufacturers of oil filters in terms of price-quality ratio

Bosch

Perhaps the most diligent manufacturer of low-budget oil filters price segment, showing excellent results in terms of product quality. In essence, the quality of oil filtration from impurities in Bosch filters can be called benchmark at all service life cutoffs: neither the bypass valve nor the cartridge has any problems with providing functions at late stages of operation.

According to experts, the only problem plaguing some Bosch oil filters is due to the overestimation of normal operation, which causes a wave of indignation and misunderstanding in the minds of most users. This can be explained quite simply: given the corporation’s focus on producing a wide range of products (from power tools to other consumables from auto parts), control of storage and transportation processes is very difficult. This factor can only be offset by the insignificant cost of the product, which encourages car owners to make a purchase.

Advantages

• low cost of almost the entire range of oil filters;
• high quality of oil purification from impurities;
• abundance of supply in retail;
• low defect rate.

Flaws

• Some filters exhaust their working life before the time stated by the manufacturer.

According to world experts, Hengst is one of the leaders in the segment in terms of the number of cooperation relationships with famous automakers. It took more than 50 years to establish connections and become the brand that it is today, but the acquired status is definitely worth it. Painstaking work resulted in the signing of contracts for the supply of oil filters to the assembly lines of Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Isuzu, BMW and many others, after which the company gained fame as the most sought-after in its niche.

As users note, such a complete element in the oil purification system from impurities has a positive effect on the safety of the engine, creating excellent conditions for its stable operation throughout the entire service life included in the filter. If we talk about the scale of Hengst’s production, then over the entire period it has produced about 5 thousand different filter modules, which have invariably become competitive even in comparison with premium models.

Advantages

• a large number of contracts for the supply of products directly to assembly line auto;
• more than 5 thousand oil filters developed throughout the history of the company;
• high working resource, strictly limited by the driving style of the car owner;
• reasonable prices and excellent quality-to-quality ratio.

Flaws

• not detected.

Fram

Like Purflux, Fram is a representative of the Sogefi group of companies, whose name is associated with the concepts of “quality” and “durability”. Unlike its premium counterpart, this brand is focused exclusively on releasing products for retail sale in the secondary market, with the goal of equipping mostly used cars with oil filters.

The choice of such a specific target audience is by no means accidental, and the calculation here is focused on the mass of the consumer. As a result, high sales figures with an average price tag, thousands of satisfied customers and high places in various rankings of the best. In addition, experts see the main advantage of the Fram brand as environmental friendliness (expressed in the creation of “lightweight” versions of filters) and a focus on constantly expanding the range. Considering the scope of its activities, this brand clearly could not pass by the three nominees.

Advantages

• focus on the secondary market in general and used cars in particular;
• development of “lightweight” versions of filters, characterized by less polluting waste while maintaining performance;
• constant expansion of the range;
• average level prices

Flaws

• not detected.

Nitto

A Japanese filter element manufacturing company founded in 1959 in Ibaraki Prefecture, where the main production complex is located. According to official data from a study conducted in 2017, it is the largest player in the segment (surpassing Union in this indicator), accounting for more than 20% of the Japanese domestic market.

Nitto's main advantage lies in its focus on maintaining strict control in all aspects of production: from the selection of raw materials to the stages of packing filters into packages. This approach to business, together with compliance with the requirements of international standards ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, which approved the introduction of innovations, made it possible to significantly increase the level of working life (up to 30-40 thousand kilometers, provided normal use auto), while maintaining fairly consumer-friendly price limits.

Advantages

• high ratings from global expert councils and experienced users;
• work on introducing innovations in filter manufacturing technology;
• more than 15 years of work in the domestic Russian market;
• increased working life of products.

Flaws

• not found.

Hyundai/KIA

Highly specialized oil filters made in Korea, designed for installation in cars of the same brands. From the very start, production enjoyed low popularity among consumers, although they were intended for installation in service centers under warranty. The reason for this was the extremely unstable quality of work, accompanied by rapid depletion of the resource and the need to quickly replace the element with a new one.

Over time, the situation improved, mainly due to the opening of a full-fledged research bureau for testing existing and prototypes. Korean engineers managed to identify the most weak spots in the design of oil filters, after which painstaking work began over several years to eliminate them. At the present stage, the Hyundai/KIA branded product is more preferred than competitors from Nitto, Sakura or the more famous Union.

Advantages

• high working resource;
• the ability to order through the company’s service centers and, as a result, good service;
• average prices for the original product.

Flaws

• the residual presence of some “sores” that need to be corrected quickly.

SCT

The German company SCT is positioned by many experts as a full-fledged competitor to Mann, but with a much less wide scope in terms of financing and production volumes. The main “point” of sale of oil filters for it is the CIS countries, the main of which, of course, is Russia. Domestic consumers are familiar with this product first-hand and speak well of it. Yes, in the large assortment there was a place for not very successful representatives, but this is an exception to the rule rather than an established pattern.

As in the case of Mahle, the main advantage of SCT is its adequate pricing policy, which maintains a delicate balance between cost and performance parameters. According to experienced car owners, this is an excellent option for purchasing in the middle price segment, especially for older cars.

Advantages

• optimal combination of price and performance parameters;
• wide distribution of the product in Russia;
• high quality filtration of lubricating fluid;
• low level of defects and fakes in the secondary market.

Flaws

• Some filter models have a very short service life.

The best manufacturers of premium oil filters

Mahle

Like Mann, Mahle is a representative of a German group of manufacturers engaged in the manufacture of oil filters. But, unlike its competitor, it pays much more attention to the secondary market, simultaneously shipping “oil cans” to the conveyors of no less eminent automakers in its country (which is worth only cooperation with BMW and Mercedes-Benz). Among other things, Mahle is an active developer of expensive consumables for VAZ cars - by coincidence, these can be seen in the Prioras that are now removed from the assembly line.

According to the manufacturers themselves, the life of one oil filter can be enough for a range of 50 thousand kilometers. Experts, in general, support this statement, but they believe in such an exorbitant figure with great difficulty, converging on a much less embarrassing 30 thousand mileage. For consumers, the parameters of fine filtration come first, thanks to which the engine runs surprisingly “clean”. Considering all of the above, even with a slight adjustment for big words, investing in a product from Mahle will be completely justified.

Advantages

• the declared working life of oil filters reaches 50 thousand kilometers;
• the presence of strict operational control, as well as careful selection of materials and raw materials for the initial stage of production;
• introduced the concept of creating valves from heat-resistant rubber with a high degree of strength;
• great concentration original product on the secondary market.

Flaws

• high price.

A trademark of the Sogefi group of companies, under whose logo they produce reliable and adequately priced filters for cleaning crankcase oil from foreign impurities. When we say “adequately valued,” we mean legal established value working qualities, which sometimes no less eminent competitors “sin” to violate.

Following the established tradition of representatives of the premium segment, Sogefi (read: Purflux) pursues a comprehensive policy of providing consumers with the highest quality product, which is expressed in the creation of an entire research complex (albeit not on the same scale as Union). According to consumers, a careful comparison of the performance parameters of these oil filters with others often reveals a small gain for Purflux in value or rational design terms, which is a big plus to the brand's treasury. In parallel with this, experts highlight the original shape of filter paper (it is arranged in a herringbone pattern), which does not carry any meaning except for the difficulty of counterfeiting. For a series of small subtleties and a very smart pricing policy, this brand deserves second place in the rating.

Advantages

• loyal to consumers price policy;
• high quality filter elements;
• “tricks” in the shape of individual components of the cartridge, making falsification difficult;
• presence of a research center.

Flaws

• not found.

Mann

The Mann company is the product of the merger of two oldest German manufacturers auto parts (Filterwerk Mann and Hummel GmbH), which has grown to the scale of the main operating corporation throughout Europe. It is famous for its very strict approach to quality control of its products, which has a positive effect on the defect rate (less than 2% of the total). Production control here begins directly from the stage of preparation of raw materials, which makes it possible to eliminate even the slightest deviations from the nominal inputs as the creation of the product progresses.

According to users, the quality of Mann oil filters is manifested not only by the degree of filtration, but also by the notorious increase in service life. As for the experts, they note that it is extremely risky, but very effective method supply of a freshly developed product directly to the conveyor lines of famous automakers, which include the entire VAG group, as well as a number of well-known brands in Russia (Nissan, Peugeot, etc.). It is also worth noting the manufacturer’s focus on producing products for the retail market in quantities sufficient to meet the needs of car owners.

Advantages

• the largest representative European manufacturers oil filters, which is the title supplier of a large number of global automakers;
• attention was paid to the production of filter elements for domestic cars;
• desire to control quality at all stages of product development.

Flaws

• presence of a large number of counterfeit products in retail.

Union

A renowned manufacturer of premium oil filters from Asia, included in the rating due to its excellent reputation among the consumer segment. It has general agreements with the vast majority of automakers in Japan, Korea and China to supply conveyors with oil filters: they can be found in mass-produced cars of the Lexus, Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, etc. brands.

According to experts, Union's main advantage lies in innovation and the constant search for the best technological solutions. In terms of this indicator, no competitor can compare with the brave Japanese corporation: every year they spend on research in the field of oil filtration and increasing the service life of individual elements (including engines internal combustion) the brand takes almost a third of its total income. This step, on the one hand, allows the entire market area to move forward, and on the other hand, does not allow the company to lose relevance in modern conditions.

Advantages

• innovation in the development of new technical and technological solutions, maintenance of its own research center;
• careful adherence to international quality standards;
• highest quality oil filtration;
• very low defect rate achieved through strict operational control;
• Greater support for the retail market by releasing some of the manufactured products for sale.

Flaws

• very high price for the original product.

Attention! This rating is subjective in nature, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

Every car owner knows that one of the important procedures which is carried out during regular maintenance is an oil change. Along with it, it is also necessary to replace it, otherwise all the dirt accumulated in it will end up in the “fresh” engine oil.

You can find various oil filters on sale, and they differ from each other not only in price and manufacturer. There are several types of such consumable car components, which will be discussed in this article.

Table of contents:

What types of oil filters are there?

All oil filters that are presented in car stores can be divided according to the filtration method into three groups: full-flow, partial-flow, combined.

Depending on the type of filter, its filtration efficiency will differ. motor oil.

Full Flow Oil Filter

Of all types of oil filters, full flow is the oldest and simplest in design. Compared to its competitors, the full-flow filter gets dirty the fastest, which means it stops performing its function - cleaning the oil from various “garbage”.

The design of a full-flow filter is extremely simple. Such a filter immediately cleans all the oil that enters all units. Its advantage is the ability to pass a large amount of oil through itself in a short period of time.

Partial flow oil filter

This filter is installed parallel to the main oil pipeline. A small amount of oil passes through it in one cycle, while the rest is sent to the engine without purification. Despite this, such devices are more efficient, since the oil is purified several times, and accordingly, the resulting liquid is cleaner.

Over time, the entire volume of circulating oil enters the cleaning circuit. That is, as a result, a partial flow oil filter takes more time to clean all the oil that moves along the circuit, but at the same time the cleaning is of better quality.

Please note: Even if the filter is completely clogged and the valves are broken, the oil flow still does not stop circulating, accordingly, the motor will be able to operate.

Combination oil filter

As the name suggests, a combination oil filter includes a full-flow element and a partial-flow element. Among these two elements, the flowing volumes of oil are divided approximately in a ratio of 9:1.

Due to the fact that the oil passes through both filters, maximum cleaning is achieved. At the same time, the service life of the engine oil itself, oil filters and the engine increases.

Please note: Most often, a combined oil filter is installed on trucks, as well as on special-purpose vehicles.

Which brand of oil filter to choose

The main rule that should be followed when choosing an oil filter for a car is that the purchased model complies with the recommendations of the car manufacturer.

There are a huge number of companies on the market that produce oil filters for cars. Among the brands that have long been recognized among automakers and drivers are Mann, Union, and SCT. It is better to focus on these companies when choosing a filter element for a car.

Important: It should be remembered that it is better not to skimp on the oil filter, since the life of the engine before major repairs largely depends on it.

Let's take a closer look at the three named filter manufacturers.

Mann

Perhaps the most famous manufacturer of oil filters today. The German company Flterwerk Mann + Humml GmbH (commonly called simply Mann) is a supplier car filters for most major European automobile concerns - Volvo, Fiat, Peugeot, Porsche and others.

Due to high quality control, defects are extremely rare among Mann filters. The company has a lot of patents for filter elements, due to which it is possible to achieve the maximum degree of oil purification over a long period of time.

It is worth noting that almost every year the Mann company receives various awards at European automobile exhibitions. The company invests a lot of money in research, thereby regularly releasing new products to the market.

Union

The largest Japanese filter manufacturer. It is a supplier to most Asian automobile concerns such as Toyota, Kia, Hyundai and others.

Like German company Mann, the Union brand has the highest quality control and a lot of interesting patented technologies. It is also worth saying that Union products have an international certificate of conformity with ISO 9002.

For smooth and high-quality work, having a good oil filter is very important. It is the best oil filter that will guarantee long and high-quality operation of the car.

An oil filter is a device designed specifically for cleaning lubricating, transmission, motor oils, hydraulic fluids for reliable operation motor. The device itself consists of the following components:

• body – a cylindrical metal container with a rolled lid;
• filter part - most often it is corrugated paper with a certain pore size, through which oil is pumped through a pump. Important parameters of this element – ​​area and porosity;
• bypass valve - a part necessary to protect the entire filter from destruction;
• anti-drainage valve - a rubber covering part that prevents oil from flowing back into the crankcase after stopping the engine.

In debates regarding the correct choice of the best oil filters, you can encounter a lot of contradictions. Some experienced car enthusiasts lean exclusively towards one particular brand, others believe in the healing power quality oil, and not in favor of the filter. To ensure the safety of your car and improve its performance, you will have to understand this issue.

Rating leader – Mahle OC205: features and specifications

The Mahle company produces any components for engines and provides its customers with a huge range, ranging from cylinder-piston units to consumables for maintenance. The brand is one of the main partners of auto production.

The leading position among the best oil filters for cars belongs to the OC205 model due to the following qualities:

• ease of use - it is easy to unscrew without the use of disc pullers and other outdated methods such as chain pullers;
• high quality manufacturing of the case - thick walls are able to withstand pressure during a cold start without deforming;
• increased reliability of the bypass valve - the component is calibrated for a pressure difference of 1 bar. When using synthetic oil of any viscosity, the valve is guaranteed to protect the engine from the entry of contaminated product into it.

Car owners appreciated this filter not only for excellent characteristics, but also for:

• prevalence - finding a model is quite easy;
• excellent production quality and long service life;
• perfect fit to the seat.

Users could not come up with any disadvantages, but the filter has an unpleasant feature for those who like to use inexpensive semi-synthetic oils. In winter, if they are present in combination with a cold engine, it is better not to drive.

If you still doubt which oil filter is better, choose the durable and versatile Mahle OC205.

Innovative Mann W75/3 for new engines

Among the best manufacturers of oil filters for cars, Mann took second place - largest supplier consumables for conveyor-type auto production. The popularity of Mann filters is due to the use of innovative solutions.

Compared to its previous colleague Mahle OC205, the Mann W75/3 filter is slightly inferior - its height and area of ​​the liquid purification element are smaller. But it will be a good find for cars with practically unworn engines that use synthetic oil with low viscosity.

With this choice, the rapid accumulation of debris will not cause discomfort between oil changes, but the low height will simplify the installation process. In this model, the opening pressure of the bypass valve is higher - 1.3 bar. When operating with viscous oil and severe clogging before the valve opens, the rubber part may be damaged.

When determining which company has the best oil filter, you need to consider the pros and cons of the Mann W75/3.

Advantages of the model:

• it is even easier to remove than Mahle or Bosch - the presence of a deep notch on the bottom allows you to unscrew the element using a ratchet puller;
• simplified installation process;
• excellent workmanship.

Ease of machine maintenance with the Mann W75/3 is not the most significant advantage, but it is compensated by the excellent quality of the filter.

The only disadvantage is the smaller filtering area compared to a standard device.

Distinctive features of the Bosch filter 0451103316

The relevance of the line of consumables and accessories for Bosch, which has already spread its activities throughout the world, is constantly maintained. That is why the Bosch filter 0451103316 is in this rating of oil filters for cars.

The difference between the brand’s models is the presence of a phenolic microfiber surface on the filter parts. The material used is porous, and the filtering area occupies a significant part, which ensures maximum dirt holding capacity and better screening.

Bosch is not easy good manufacturer oil filters, is an expert in creating quality devices. The presented model is considered the leader in terms of the size of the filter surface, which occupies almost the entire 80 mm body. The bypass valve with this configuration works perfectly and has a pressure difference of 1 bar when opening.

As small drawback Users of such filters highlight the operation of the anti-drainage valve. With an opening pressure of 0.12 bar specified by the manufacturer, it has greater resistance than the leading Mahle, which is why its hard work is felt. If you have a working motor, its functioning will not be a problem, but you won’t be able to win first place in the ranking with such a characteristic.

Main advantages:

• compliance in all respects with the stated requirements of the manufacturer;
• long resource and excellent cleaning quality.

Its disadvantage appears only in comparison - the Mahle part has a more balanced design.

Review of the original Hyundai/Kia model 26300-35503

The fourth place in the oil filter rating was taken by the Hyundai/Kia model 26300-35503. This variety is not intended for many Korean cars. Only fourth place is given to her only because high cost original part, which is slightly inferior in quality to its German or Asian counterparts.

An unreasonably high price may only suit the most principled car owners who prefer to use exclusively original spare parts for their car.

But the Hyundai/Kia filter 26300-35503 also has its undeniable advantages:

• resistance to possible sudden temperature changes;
• guarantee of uninterrupted “cold start” of the engine;
• durable and reliable operation of the engine, but with timely maintenance of the vehicle.

The main advantage of filter testers is the maximum compliance of the engine design with the calibration of the bypass valve. The downside is the ratio of price, quality and efficiency of the device.

Description Fram PH6811: comparative characteristics

The rating of manufacturers of oil filters for cars is completed by SogefiFiltration, which produces filters under the Fram brand. Of them huge assortment Products are supplied to the conveyors of the largest automobile concerns: Mercedes, Nissan, Honda, Peugeot, VW, LandRover, Audi, Ford, Mazda, Citroen and many others. The company's engineers pay enough attention to improving existing models.

The Fram PH6811 model deserves special attention. This proprietary variety is adapted to high temperatures - it can withstand up to 160°, and it is also not afraid of strong flows of oil. The high quality of its manufacture did not go unnoticed; the case is quite large – 80 mm. But you still can’t count on good filtration of low-resistance oil, despite its outwardly attractive features.

A significant part of the structure is allocated for the bypass valve. Therefore, not so much of the expected large area is allocated for the filtration element. But big valve- This is not a disadvantage at all, but on the contrary, an advantage. The larger its size, the more precisely it can be adjusted. But everything is learned by comparison. If we take into account the same characteristics of the Mann device at a similar cost, the choice becomes obvious.

An important detail when installing a filter is sealing ring. In the Fram PH6811 model it is narrower than in Mann and Mahle. This has its own advantage - during use of the car, it will stick less to the mating plane and thereby facilitate the process of replacing the filter. But there is also a drawback - it is much easier to damage. Therefore, when installing, you cannot over-tighten the filter, but must act strictly according to the instructions.

The advantages still include good manufacturing and assembly quality. Among the disadvantages were the non-ergonomic filter housing and its small filter element.

The main characteristics, as well as reviews from drivers who have already tested them, will help you decide which brand of oil filter is best to choose.

Creates a special film between the rubbing parts of the engine, cools them, and cleans the working surfaces. Naturally, during operation it becomes dirty and begins to need cleaning. This function is performed by another automotive component - that is, an element that extends the service life of automotive engine lubricant.

Which oil filter is better

Each car has its own filter. You should not rush into a purchase, as it may ultimately bring disastrous results. Each lubrication system vehicle is individual, therefore, so are their constituent elements. Each filter has its own characteristics, characteristics, size, shape and other qualities, namely:

• type of construction: there are collapsible and non-dismountable, as well as disposable;
• lubrication method;
• cleaning method;
• by thread type.

Selected according to filtration quality. There are two main parameters that you should look at when choosing:

• absolute filtration – purification level not higher than 5 microns;
• nominal filtration – responsible for particle retention up to 95 percent.

Types of Oil Filters

There are several types of filters, namely:

1. Full flow filter. The main part of this filter is the bypass valve. It passes through itself the lubricant that enters it from the pump. If the pressure in the system increases significantly (which may be caused by a blockage), then the valve will open and the pressure level will drop significantly. But at the same time, he will not be responsible for cleaning the system. That is, the lubricant will not be cleaned, but will directly enter the system in a contaminated form. However, the engine will not fail, since the oil (despite its quality) will still enter the system and create, perhaps, a not very high-quality film between the rubbing parts.
2. Partial flow. These are the filters that do not allow absolutely all oil flow through them. In this case, one part of the lubricant circulates freely along one circuit, while the other passes through the filter material. As a result, it is cleaned through a filter. Undoubtedly, this approach to cleaning takes more time, however, it is of higher quality. It also reduces the risk of increased pressure in the system due to clogging of the filter material or due to failure of the bypass valve.
3. Combined. These devices combine both the first and second types of filters. They are distinguished by the highest level of lubricant purification and, accordingly, are able to provide more long term service, both oil and the filter itself.

How often should you change the filter?

The oil filter (regardless of its type) is changed along with the oil. Manufacturers recommend performing this procedure every 10–15 thousand kilometers or at least once a year. Otherwise, the filter will become clogged and the lubricant (oil) will lose its performance capabilities. If you do not change consumables in time, summer time years, the engine will overheat, especially in traffic jams. And in winter period The car won't start at all.

Which filter to choose

To do right choice, you must rely on your own knowledge, as well as the instructions of the manufacturers. Naturally, the easiest option is to buy original filter. But if you want to save money, you can also buy a quality product, but you need to have information that we will be happy to provide you with.

So, the criteria for objective selection:

1. Frame. Examine it carefully. It must be durable (otherwise lubricant leakage is possible), then it will withstand all loads, high pressure and will not be subject to a corrosive coating.
2. The quality of the sealing edge and the valve are the main elements that ensure the tightness of the filter. Unfortunately, only a professional can determine their level of reliability. Therefore, ask for a quality certificate at the time of purchase.
3. Manufacturer. Not worth buying too cheap spare parts from famous manufacturers(most likely, you will be offered a fake). It is also worth refusing filters whose packages contain the following inscriptions “Japan quality” or “Made for Germany”. As a rule, such products are made in China, and not in Germany or Japan.

It is important to know! Companies producing goods High Quality, on the packaging they leave not only the name of the company, but also all their details: address, phone number, etc.

“Woeful manufacturers,” who often deceive customers, register their chosen “brand” in some modern country and then, as if observing all laws, sell Chinese-made products (under the name of this or that brand) of worse quality. It is for this reason that you should always check the origin of goods and also require a quality certificate. "Would-be sellers" will not be able to provide it to you. And sellers of quality and original spare parts they will provide you with everything without any problems Required documents. If the presence of a certificate does not satisfy you, then you can request information about the quality level of that other component from the manufacturer itself. Note that the products of the world's best manufacturers comply with international standards ISO-9001. Faults in the motor, the elimination of which will cost much more than high-quality filter material. Let us remind you once again that well-known manufacturing companies' products comply with international quality standards ISO-9001. In any case, it is recommended to study the information on the packaging before purchasing.

We hope provided by us detailed information will allow you to make the right choice!

Oil filtration

In this chapter we will talk mainly about engine oil filters, but transmission oil filters are practically no different from them.

The source of oil contamination in the internal combustion engine may be:

• poor cleaning of the refilled engine oil;
• contaminants entering the engine from various sources: mineral dust penetrating with air through the filter and leaks or gaps in air ducts, fuel combustion products, condensed moisture, unburned fuel, wear products of parts, etc.

In case of insufficient filtration or untimely replacement of the oil and filter, increased wear of parts of the connecting rod and piston group of the engine occurs, as well as degradation of the properties of the oil itself due to deterioration of its structure, including additives. The graph shows a typical wear curve for diesel engine piston rings depending on the size of abrasive particles contained in the oil, and it can be seen that the most intense wear is observed from exposure to particles ranging in size from 8 to 60 microns. However, modern engines require the capture of particles smaller than these values, up to 1 micron, especially if their content in the oil is high.

Modern filters for purifying engine oil should provide:

• capture efficiency of mineral and organic particles (nominal filtration fineness) up to 10 microns;
• service life before replacement corresponding to the engine oil change period.

Filters can be:

• one-piece single-stage (SPIN-ON type, that is, “screwed onto” a fitting) with a metal or plastic body;
• One-piece combined (SPIN-ON type), and two stages can be placed in one housing or the stages can be made in the form of separate filters - full-flow and partial-flow;
• modular design using replaceable environmentally friendly filter elements, such innovative developments Available from Hengst, Mann + Hummel, MAHLE (Germany), etc.

Filters under the 4F brand of the Meteor company, as well as products of the Trost Auto Service Technik SE holding, are known on the market.

We turned to the specialists of the Citron concern, which produces the largest range of filters for trucks among Russian manufacturers, with a request to comment on the situation with oil filters. According to technical specialists concern, offers of oil and fuel filters There are not so many from Russian manufacturers, so the Citron concern strives to satisfy the need for inexpensive, high-quality analogues for all brands of trucks and special equipment from different countries. TSN oil filters are made from modern mixed (cellulose with synthetics) filter materials, with and without return and bypass valves, as provided for by the system design. There are also replaceable filter elements for oil purification.

Oil and water do mix

In lubrication systems subject to water contamination, it is necessary to use a lubricating oil with good demulsibility (ability to separate water). Contrary to popular belief that “oil and water don’t mix,” many oils mix with it and form an emulsion. The demulsification time is determined according to ASTM D-1401: 40 ml of sample and 40 ml of distilled water are placed in a water bath and mixed. The mixture is then allowed to settle. If no separation has occurred after 30 minutes, stop the test and measure the volumes of water, oil and emulsion. If the volume of the emulsion is more than 3 ml, then the oil is considered to have failed the test. In this case, it is recommended to replace the oil used. Low demulsibility is considered the main reason for poor oil performance, since emulsified oil has poor lubricity and does not prevent sediment formation, acid formation and corrosive wear of machine parts.

All leading companies - manufacturers of automobiles and road construction equipment, such as Volvo, sell filters under their own brand. Filters are ordered from specialized companies according to specifications developed by the equipment manufacturer and meet the most stringent quality standards. The only drawback for the consumer is that these branded components are usually in the upper price segment.

The main advantages of modular designs are that they perform several functions at once: oil filtration, oil cooling, regulation of oil flows by a thermostat, protection against pressure increase using pressure reducing valve; contain temperature and pressure sensors, oil coolers, and oil pump. dimensions The modular design is smaller than if all of the above components were assembled individually, eliminating the need to install multiple hoses between assemblies. Typically, the module is equipped with a device for pumping oil out of the replaceable filter element when replacing it, preventing oil spillage.

Some diesel engines use centrifuges to purify engine oil. In foreign practice, centrifuges are used mainly on ships, in stationary conditions when running cars. Typically, they are used as a partial-flow purification stage. For many years on domestic tractors Full-flow centrifuges with hydraulic drive from an oil pump were used.

The main advantage of centrifuges is the absence of the need to replace filter elements, as well as the ability to separate particles larger than 5 microns. However, compared to filters with replaceable elements they have the following disadvantages:

• the difficulty of disassembling and reassembling, as well as cleaning from deposits, especially considering that used oil is carcinogenic;
• the possibility of deterioration in efficiency and even failure of operation due to a decrease in rotation speed (must be more than 6000 rpm);
• energy consumption for the drive due to the creation of a pressure of up to 600 kPa by the oil pump.

In this regard, centrifuges have not found widespread use, especially on modern mobile equipment.

Fuel purification

The processes of purification (filtration) in a car of engine and transmission oils, hydraulic and coolant fluids are fundamentally different from the purification of fuel and air. If motor and gear oil work in a machine in closed systems and during operation are gradually cleaned by filters (and at the same time gradually become contaminated with products formed during the operation of the machine), then air and fuel are constantly consumed and replaced with new portions. Therefore, the contamination of filtered fuel and air can change sharply, either increasing or decreasing. Contaminants present in the fuel may include solid dust particles, rust, water, oil, carbon deposits, resins, etc.

Modern requirements for fuel filter performance diesel engines domestic GOST 14146–88 and foreign standards ISO 4020, SAE J905 are very close.

In domestic regulatory documents requirements for the efficiency of fuel filters are determined by the “nominal screening fineness” indicator (i.e., the size of particles, the capture of which by the filter must be 95%):

• For carburetor engines– no more than 20 microns;
• for injection (gasoline) engines – 10 microns;
• for diesel engines – 5...7 microns.

The completeness of separation of water contained in diesel fuel, according to GOST 14146–88, for filters of different categories should be from 50 to 80% of the mass of all water. According to the requirements of foreign standards, the water content in diesel fuel after its separation in the settling filter should not exceed 0.03%.

Fuel filters for carburetor engines are the simplest in design; mini-filters made of transparent plastic and with a synthetic filter element have appeared. Injection gasoline engine filters have a more complex design, in which materials of a more complex composition are used, which, in order to fire safety must withstand pressure up to 20 kgf/cm 2 without deformation. Such filters are increasingly being found wide application on modern passenger cars. Their production has been mastered by domestic companies OJSC BIG, Salyut, Nevsky Filter, etc., including those with a body made of high-strength plastic.

For light and heavy commercial vehicles can be purchased fuel filters TSN from the Citron concern - full-flow and fine cleaning, in a plastic, steel or aluminum case, with a separator lid for separating water and replaceable filter elements for diesel fuel. Citron's assortment includes more than 500 fuel filters for various cars.

The most complex in design are filters for cleaning diesel fuel, especially for engines of heavy vehicles. Very high demands are placed on them. For heavy machines, combinations of filters are used: coarse and fine filters. These two stages can be installed separately: a coarse filter in the suction line, for example a filter from Separ (Switzerland), is installed before the booster pump, and a fine filter in the discharge line.

Currently, combined filter modules have been developed (for example, by Fleetguard, USA), in which, in one housing, fuel is purified from mechanical impurities (with replaceable filter elements), water is separated and fuel is heated in order to eliminate the formation of paraffins in winter.

Recently, some companies have begun to produce fuel filters in a plastic housing, for example, Fram, which perform the functions of filtration, water separator and fuel heating.

The Mahle design module carries out all the processing of diesel fuel in one housing before supplying it to the high pressure pump:

• cleaning in coarse and fine filters;
• water separation;
• electric fuel heating;
• fuel cooling.

The module contains:

• replaceable filter elements without metal parts – environmentally recyclable (incineration);
• filter contamination indicator;
• water level sensor;
• booster pump;
• bypass valve for coarse filter;
• a settling tank for collecting water and contaminants retained by a coarse filter.

Also produces original patented diesel filters modular type American Stanadyne Corportation, which has branches in Europe. Its Fuel Manager series is designed for trucks of various capacities, as well as for construction, agricultural and other vehicles. The company’s principled position is that all filter elements retain not only solid particles, but also water. Coarse filters are made of nylon and paper and have a filtration fineness of 10 to 150 microns. Fine filters are made from specially treated paper and have a filter fineness of 2 to 5 microns.

Mann + Hummel has developed a new multi-layer filter material made from ultra-fine synthetic fibers MILTIGRADE. According to the company, the efficiency of capturing fine particles of 3...5 microns with MILTIGRADE material is more than 90%; the particles are retained by the internal layers of the material, which increases the efficiency and dirt holding capacity of the filter. The new material also retains water better (more than 93%) compared to cellulose filters and has more high stability water separation, especially at high levels of water in the fuel. Also, Mann + Hummel have developed replaceable filter elements, the design of which does not contain metal parts, and the company RB-exide (South Korea) has developed original easily removable filters made of paper impregnated with resins and synthetic fibers.