Just learned how many cars a single oil filter can hold

Found out a standard spin-on filter can trap over a gallon of dirt before it clogs. I read it in an old trade magazine from 1998 my boss had in the back. Anyone know if that number is still about right for modern filters?

3 comments

3 Comments

margaret_gonzalez252mo ago

That 1998 number is probably for a big filter on a diesel truck. Most regular car filters hold a lot less. The real limit is the bypass valve. It opens when the filter gets about half full to keep oil flowing, even if it's dirty. So your filter never actually gets to hold a full gallon of gunk. It starts letting dirty oil through long before that.

charlie_ellis2mo ago

Exactly... saw that happen on my old pickup.

the_eric2mo ago

Honestly, my Ford V10 did the same thing with the bypass valve way too early.