Should You Switch To A Longer Oil Filter?

Vehicle owners are always advised to strictly abide by the manufacturer’s recommendations when choosing an oil filter, and for good reason. For instance, there are numerous offerings of Royal Purple oil filters that actually look identical. However, the internal specifications of filter media, flow rate or bypass valve rating vary a lot and are designed to suit specific applications.

Now while the factory-fitted and subsequently recommended filters are quite tiny in size, it is noted that longer oil filters are also available in the aftermarket. Many people are tempted to try the larger filters thinking that it will offer an increased oil capacity along with greater filtration media area. The assumption is that this will translate into better flow of filtered oil and also increase the life of the oil filter. What’s more, they may also find a larger filter that perfectly fits the threads of their engine.

So does this mean that they can safely use the oversized oil filter and reap the benefits therefrom?

Well, the specs of the larger oil filter may not match the requirements of your vehicle and this can affect the performance and life of the vehicle. Even if you happen to find a larger oil filter with the exact same specifications, the increased length may not provide the adequate ground clearance and will only make it susceptible to damage from road debris. Moreover, using the wrong filter can also void the warranty from the filter company in case of defects or damage to the engine.

To top it all, the extra oil or filtration capacity offered by longer filters may not actually be needed by your vehicle at all. so, is it worth risking the functioning of your vehicle over a redundant benefit? Better stick to the manufacturer recommendations and choose the right Royal Purple oil filters when it is due for a change.