To Fill or Not to Fill: The Oil Filter Debate
When it comes to car maintenance, one question that often sparks debate is whether to pre-fill an oil filter before installing it. Lake Speed Jr., The Motor Oil Geek delves into this topic, aiming to provide a definitive answer through a combination of practical testing and scientific analysis.
In a recent oil change video for his daughter’s car, Lake faced criticism for pre-filling the oil filter. The factory recommends oil changes every 10,000 miles for the car, but Lake prefers shorter intervals, believing it is better for the engine’s longevity. The contentious point arose when viewers claimed that pre-filling the oil filter was incorrect, arguing that the unfiltered oil could introduce contaminants into the engine.
Surprised by this backlash, Lake decided to investigate further. A quick Google search revealed a significant number of people advocating against pre-filling oil filters, citing concerns about unfiltered, dirty oil entering the engine. However, Lake and his team have conducted extensive oil testing over the years, and the oil straight out of the bottle is typically clean.
To address the controversy with empirical evidence, Lake and his colleague Don set up an experiment. They decided to take fresh oil from the drum and have it analyzed in a lab to measure the particle count and determine its cleanliness. They then planned to prime the engine with this oil, without starting it, and take a sample to compare.
The Four Rs of Proper Lubrication
Lake explained the four Rs of proper lubrication: the right oil, the right place, the right time, and the right amount. He expressed concern that not pre-filling the oil filter might violate these principles by delaying the time it takes for the oil to reach critical engine parts, potentially causing damage.
To test this, Don installed an empty oil filter on the engine and measured the time it took to build oil pressure. As expected, it took a few seconds, which is enough time for engine parts to experience wear due to lack of lubrication. After priming the engine, they took oil samples and sent them for analysis.
A week later, the lab results confirmed Lake’s hypothesis. The particle count in the oil sample taken directly from the drum was lower than the oil taken from the engine before it was started. This proved that the oil from the bottle was indeed clean, debunking the myth that unfiltered oil should not be used to pre-fill the filter.
The experiment also highlighted the practical benefits of pre-filling the filter. An empty filter led to a delay in building oil pressure, causing the engine to run without proper lubrication for a few critical seconds. Pre-filling the filter ensures immediate oil pressure, protecting engine components from wear.
Lake emphasized the importance of using a clean funnel to avoid introducing contaminants during the oil change process. He recommended storing the funnel properly to keep it clean for future use.
In conclusion, the data supported pre-filling the oil filter with clean oil from the bottle. This practice ensures that the engine receives proper lubrication from the moment it starts, thereby reducing wear and extending the engine’s lifespan. Lake’s detailed experiment and analysis provided clear evidence to settle the debate, affirming that pre-filling the oil filter is a smart and beneficial practice.
