What Is a Cartridge Oil Filter?
Datetime:2012-10-31 Hits:
What Is a Cartridge Oil Filter?
The oil that circulates in your car's engine serves a vital function: The viscous, temperature-resistant fluid filling the crankcase and internal engine cavities is there to lubricate the many metal parts, allowing them to move smoothly over one another without damage; the oil captures and suspends small metal and carbon fragments as well, preventing them from causing internal damage to the engine. Regular oil changes are necessary to remove the dirty oil and impurities from the engine.
Print this articleCartridge vs. Spin-on Oil Filters
Between oil changes, internal filtration of the oil removes much of the debris. For many years, most modern cars used a disposable spin-on filter that attaches to the side or bottom of the engine block, but many manufacturers have switched to the use of a "cartridge" filter. The cartridge filter system encloses the oil filter inside the engine block, and only the internal filtration element is removed when the oil is changed. The process is simpler and more environmentally friendly, as it generates less waste.
Advantages
Unlike a used spin-on filter, which is essentially a metal canister full of dirty oil when removed, a cartridge filter is relatively mess-free to replace. In addition, the cartridge oil filter can be located closer to the greatest flow of oil, allowing more efficient filtration.
Applications
Many European manufacturers use cartridge oil filters, and in recent years domestic makes like Chevrolet have begun using them, as well. For older vehicles, there are retrofit kits available that can replace the spin-on filter with a cartridge unit.
