Why It Is Important To Change Your Oil Filter
As the cost of vehicle maintenance climbs with the price of oil, more and more drivers are turning to DIY solutions for common operations like oil changes. Before taking on a new challenge like an oil change, you need to understand all the steps that are involved, including the changing of the oil filter. It is an essential part of the oil change process because the filter is an essential part of the vehicle’s entire lubrication and temperature regulation system. Ignoring this step can have some serious consequences for your vehicle.
Prevent Serious Interior Damage
A 2014 Chevrolet Silverado oil filter is designed to grab hold of any debris that comes through with the oil when it cycles back to the pan and then through the engine again. Like any filter, it can only hold so much before there is either a clock that impedes the flow of the cycle or an issue with the filter shedding pieces of debris back into the oil on the other side.
Either of these scenarios can cause serious interior damage if left unaddressed. In the first case, it’s a heat dissipation and lubrication issue that could potentially lead to the engine seizing if the clog is too severe. In the other, the loose debris can do snowballing damage as it scours the interior of the engine, producing more debris that the overburdened oil filter 2015 Silverado 5.3 cannot handle.
Improves Engine Life
The replacement of an oil filter with every oil change allows you to have the peace of mind that comes from knowing the component that keeps your oil clear of debris and other contaminants is just as fresh as the oil itself. Filters are designed to last through a single oil change cycle, and they are not expensive to replace. While most of them are capable of running a little longer than your oil change cycle, they lose efficiency and begin to let debris through if they are not replaced every few months.
The result is that a late replacement or skipping over oil changes between replacements can introduce the beginning steps of that degradation cycle, creating more and more scoring in the engine over time and contributing to its long-term wear. If you want your vehicle to last as long as possible, a new oil filter is a necessity every time you change your own oil.
Grab Your Oil Change Supplies and More
If you are used to going through a quick oil change garage or scheduling appointments with a dealership, you are also used to getting more than just an oil change. Professionals check out your whole vehicle for safety, monitoring the levels of all its fluids and their condition, inspecting the brake pads, and cross-referencing manufacturer recommendations for small part replacements like your PCV valve.
Doing your own oil change means taking on those maintenance tasks as well. Start by consulting the recommended maintenance rotation in your user’s manual, and build your inspection plan from there. The good news? The same place you trust for your 2018 Silverado oil filter will also wind up being a great option for other maintenance supplies you might need.