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To Fill or Not to Fill a New Oil Filter during Oil Changes...

When I change the oil in my car I prefer to fill the new oil filter with oil before installing it, and I was taught to do it that way. I believe that a normal oil pressure is achieved more quickly when the oil filter is prefilled, and I believe engine wear is reduced. My friends question whether the benefit is really significant or whether there is really any benefit at all. Is anyone aware of any research to support either position? What are your thoughts? Fill or not to fill the new oil filter? Thanks.

Reply to
wisconsin262
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It takes, what, two minutes? The fact that oil pressure comes to normal faster is trivial to verify. It probably doesn't make any big difference, but I know it makes me feel a whole lot better.

All my cars have the filter mounted at an angle, so I don't bother trying to get the filters full because it'll just leak down the sides as I put the filter on. So I give it enough to saturate the filter media and fill the can about half way.

Reply to
clifto

I dont fill mine at all, but have nothing against it. It might help a little. All my engines in recent years have run without problem until I sold the cars, and all have had well over 100,000 miles on them. I normally do oil changes at 3000 miles (whether anyone deems it necessary or not).

I would also like to see competent research data on filter effects, change interval effects, effects of particulates, etc and suspect it exists.

Reply to
<HLS

I've always pre-loaded my oil filters before installing them. Those that are at an angle I try to fill as much as allowed, soaking the filter media, and adding more oil until it is saturated. I was always taught that this is better because your engine isn't starting on a dry filter, and having to "work" to fill it while it is starting.

Reply to
'97ventureowner

My observation is that prefilling takes about five seconds off the time it takes for the idiot light to go off. Err on the bad side and call that five seconds of no oil pumping at all. Unless the engine has been sitting unused for some time, that's just not enough to make a significant difference.

Yet there's something comforting about that five second head start on oil pumping...

It doesn't hurt a thing, it might help a little, so why not?

Reply to
clifto

I never have prefilled the oil filter before.I have never had any problems with that either.When I restart the engine to be sure there aren't any leaks, I have noticed it only takes a few seconds for the oil pressure to come back up to normal.The engine bearings, cylinder walls etcetera still have enough of an oil film even without prefilling the oil filter. cuhulin

Reply to
cuhulin

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