Change Oil Filter Every Year Regardless of Mileage?

[nielkfj]

The service manual for my car says to replace the oil and filter every 15,000km (9300mi) or one year after the last change.

I don’t drive the car much so the mileage is well below 15,000km when I reach one year after the last change. So I have been replacing the oil every year but I wait until I reach 15,000km before changing the filter, which is about once every third oil change.

I figure it is unnecessary to replace the filter before I reach 15,000km because the filter will not deteriorate over time like oil does because it is made of metal and media material. Also , a filter actually performs better as it gets dirty. It blocks smaller and smaller particles the dirtier it gets (provided the bypass doesn’t open).

What do you think? Is it necessary to change the oil filter every year, regardless of the mileage since the last change?

 

[Furious]

Would it really hurt to spend the $8 to $12 for an oil filter each year?

It is not like you are servicing it frequently, additionally oil filter manufacturers typically only rate their filters for X miles or 1 year.

 

[joekingcorvette]

Lots of threads on this but I would change it every 7,500 or 2 years whatever comes first. Engines are expensive and nobody wants an early oil burner.

 

[Passport1]

Not to put too fine point on this controversy or be crude but after taking a shower is it a good idea to change your skivvies also?

 

[NiwradND]

I would change the oil and filter every spring unless it was run under a 1000 miles and then may go to every two years.

 

[Furious]

Lots of threads on this but I would change it every 7,500 or 2 years whatever comes first. Engines are expensive and nobody wants an early oil burner.

With some of the maintenance schedules many people seem to follow on here I am beginning to think they do want early oil burners.

 

[John105]

Embarrassing but one year I drove 270 miles on a car (one could argue not a wise financial decision but we love our toys). I didn’t change the oil after 1 year. Car is garaged and even the mfg has a 2 year interval programmed into the car’s computer. So I changed the oil and filter at about 1,000 miles and 2 years.

 

[Oliveoil2]

I’m on my 3rd year with my 98 BMW. It has a little over 1k miles on the oil now. When I drive it I never drive less than an hour. I’m happy to go another year. If I was short tripping it I’d change it every year.

 

[Kalle.J]

What do you think? Is it necessary to change the oil filter every year, regardless of the mileage since the last change?

Yes, I would push the OCI to around 14-15 months (or how ever much you are comfortable with) and change the filter at the same time.
Give us more info about your vehicle, driving habits, oil and engine.

 

[NormanBuntz]

You don't say how many miles you DO drive a year. If its about 10,000 km (6,250 miles), I'd change the oil filter each year.

 

[Kalle.J]

You don't say how many miles you DO drive a year. If its about 10,000 km (6,250 miles), I'd change the oil filter each year.

15000km / 3 is 5000km roughly 3000miles

 

[fantastic]

The service manual for my car says to replace the oil and filter every 15,000km (9300mi) or one year after the last change.

I don’t drive the car much so the mileage is well below 15,000km when I reach one year after the last change. So I have been replacing the oil every year but I wait until I reach 15,000km before changing the filter, which is about once every third oil change.

I figure it is unnecessary to replace the filter before I reach 15,000km because the filter will not deteriorate over time like oil does because it is made of metal and media material. Also , a filter actually performs better as it gets dirty. It blocks smaller and smaller particles the dirtier it gets (provided the bypass doesn’t open).

What do you think? Is it necessary to change the oil filter every year, regardless of the mileage since the last change?

I think the big test on here showed that not to be entirely true. The more the filter loads up it gets less efficient after a certain point. Also, I would state what filter you use for better responses. If it's an extended mileage or wire backing filter then it should be of high quality & last the mileage you state without any issue.

 

[bullwinkle]

Danger of a cellulose filter is absorbing too much moisture & potentially losing structural integrity. Not a problem with a full synthetic oil filter.

 

[The Critic]

My concern is that the glues could disintegrate over time.

Danger of a cellulose filter is absorbing too much moisture & potentially losing structural integrity. Not a problem with a full synthetic oil filter.

Very few are synthetic, most are blends.

 

[billt460]

It all depends on how eager you are, or how far you're willing to go, in order to save an additional $5 bucks a year.

 

[Bellavita]

The service manual for my car says to replace the oil and filter every 15,000km (9300mi) or one year after the last change.

I don’t drive the car much so the mileage is well below 15,000km when I reach one year after the last change. So I have been replacing the oil every year but I wait until I reach 15,000km before changing the filter, which is about once every third oil change.

I figure it is unnecessary to replace the filter before I reach 15,000km because the filter will not deteriorate over time like oil does because it is made of metal and media material. Also , a filter actually performs better as it gets dirty. It blocks smaller and smaller particles the dirtier it gets (provided the bypass doesn’t open).

What do you think? Is it necessary to change the oil filter every year, regardless of the mileage since the last change?

I'd recommend both your oil and filter annually. It's easy to remember.
Also there is no need for expensive products. A Fram Extra Guard filter and 5 Quarts of Quaker State oil at WalMart will be around $24.

 

[nielkfj]

Wow, thanks for all the replies!

I use the OEM filters. They are about CA$20 (US$15). I can afford it, but I just don’t like spending money if it isn’t necessary. I will check the manufacturer’s recommended service life for the filter, that’s a good point. The filter is a VW 06J115403Q or Mann W 719/45.

I use Castrol Edge 0W40 synthetic oil.

The car is a 2013 VW GTI, with the EA888 Gen 2 CCTA engine, which is 2.0l, turbocharged, dual camshafts, vane-adjustable variable intake valve timing.

I put on about 5,000km (3,000 mi) per year. I don’t typically take short trips. When I do get in it I like driving it, so even if I don’t need to go far I usually end up driving around more than I need to. It’s pretty much all city driving but I regularly take it on the ring road and open it up for a minute or so, bringing it up to about 160km/h (100 mph).

 

[Pelican]

The service manual for my car says to replace the oil and filter every 15,000km (9300mi) or one year after the last change.

I don’t drive the car much so the mileage is well below 15,000km when I reach one year after the last change. So I have been replacing the oil every year but I wait until I reach 15,000km before changing the filter, which is about once every third oil change.

I figure it is unnecessary to replace the filter before I reach 15,000km because the filter will not deteriorate over time like oil does because it is made of metal and media material. Also , a filter actually performs better as it gets dirty. It blocks smaller and smaller particles the dirtier it gets (provided the bypass doesn’t open).

What do you think? Is it necessary to change the oil filter every year, regardless of the mileage since the last change?

The case is made of metal, but the medium is paper or some other synthetic material, THEY do the filtering not the case.
Paper wetted and dried if unused will become brittle and shred in small pieces, I don't know about the synthetic material, but I bet it
doesn't help to sit ther unused after filtering. Is it worth the risk for the price of a filter?

 

[nielkfj]

I think the big test on here showed that not to be entirely true. The more the filter loads up it gets less efficient after a certain point. Also, I would state what filter you use for better responses. If it's an extended mileage or wire backing filter then it should be of high quality & last the mileage you state without any issue.

Danger of a cellulose filter is absorbing too much moisture & potentially losing structural integrity. Not a problem with a full synthetic oil filter.

My concern is that the glues could disintegrate over time.


Very few are synthetic, most are blends.

The case is made of metal, but the medium is paper or some other synthetic material, THEY do the filtering not the case.
Paper wetted and dried if unused will become brittle and shred in small pieces, I don't know about the synthetic material, but I bet it
doesn't help to sit ther unused after filtering. Is it worth the risk for the price of a filter?

The filter I use is a VW 06J115403Q (Mann W 719/45).
Do you know what kind of media this filter has?

 

[Furious]

The filter I use is a VW 06J115403Q (Mann W 719/45).
Do you know what kind of media this filter has?

They are blend material designed for the manufacturer listed oil change interval. Go beyond that and if there is a failure it is no fault but your own.