What Happens If I Don’t Change My Oil Filter?
An oil change is something most car owners remember — but many forget about the oil filter. That small cylindrical part may not seem important, but failing to replace it can lead to serious (and expensive) engine problems.
At Peers Auto Spares, we often see engine issues that could have been avoided with a simple oil filter replacement. In this post, we’ll explain what the oil filter does, what happens when it’s clogged, and how regularly changing it protects your engine and your wallet.
🛢️ What Does an Oil Filter Actually Do?
Your car’s engine needs oil to lubricate its moving parts. But as oil circulates, it picks up:
- Dirt
- Metal shavings
- Carbon deposits
- Sludge
The oil filter’s job is to trap these contaminants and keep the oil clean as it cycles through your engine.
Without a working oil filter, dirty oil keeps flowing, which leads to:
- More friction
- Faster wear on engine components
- Heat buildup
- Even engine failure
🧰 Avoid major damage — shop oil filters for your vehicle at Peers Auto Spares.
⚠️ What Happens If You Don’t Change It?
1. Clogged Filter = Dirty Oil
Over time, filters fill up. When they’re clogged, dirty oil bypasses the filter altogether — contaminating everything it touches. Your oil becomes thick and abrasive instead of smooth and protective.
2. Reduced Engine Performance
You may start noticing:
- Slower acceleration
- Rough idling
- Strange engine noises
- Poor fuel economy
These are signs your engine is struggling with dirty oil.
3. Increased Engine Wear
Dirty oil = more metal-on-metal contact. This causes early wear on pistons, bearings, and crankshafts — which can lead to engine rebuilds or replacements.
4. Overheating
Sludge in the oil can clog narrow oil passages. This reduces circulation and can lead to overheating, especially in older engines.
📆 How Often Should You Replace Your Oil Filter?
Most experts recommend changing the oil filter every time you change your oil, which is usually:
- Every 10,000–15,000 km for modern vehicles
- More often if you drive short trips or in dusty/rural areas
Check your vehicle’s manual for exact intervals. But don’t wait for warning lights — by then, the damage may already be starting.
🧪 Symptoms of a Failing Oil Filter
Not sure if it’s time to replace yours? Watch for:
- Low oil pressure
- Engine knocking sounds
- Dirty oil on the dipstick
- Oil leaks near the filter housing
- Increased exhaust smoke
🔧 Solve the issue early — get your oil filter delivered from Peers Auto Spares.
🛠️ Can I Replace My Oil Filter Myself?
Yes, and it’s one of the easiest car maintenance jobs. You’ll need:
- A wrench or filter tool
- New engine oil
- A compatible oil filter
- A drain pan and some rags
Just:
- Drain old oil
- Remove the old filter
- Apply a little new oil to the gasket of the new filter
- Install and tighten (not too tight!)
- Refill engine with fresh oil
💡 Want to do a full basic service? Add an air filter and spark plugs for a smoother-running engine.
💰 Why It’s Worth It
Oil filters are one of the cheapest parts on your car. But ignoring them can lead to:
- R2,000–R5,000 in minor engine repairs
- R15,000+ for major engine damage or replacements
That’s a high price for skipping a R100–R200 filter change.
🛒 Where to Get the Right Oil Filter
At Peers Auto Spares, we stock high-quality oil filters for:
- Toyota, Ford, Nissan, Mazda, VW, Hyundai, BMW and more
- Petrol and diesel engines
- Brands like GUD, Fram, and OEM-replacement filters
🧰 Shop oil filters online or in-store — we’ll help you match the exact one for your car.
🧼 Related Parts to Replace Together
When changing your oil filter, consider:
- Oil (engine grade) – always use fresh oil with a new filter
- Air filters – dirty air affects combustion
- Fuel filters – clean fuel helps the whole system work better
- Spark plugs – if your car is idling rough, it might not just be oil
✅ Final Thoughts
Your oil filter may be small, but ignoring it can cause big problems. For a few minutes and a few hundred rand, you can protect your engine, improve performance, and avoid expensive repairs.
At Peers Auto Spares, we’ve got the right oil filter for your car — and everything else you need to keep it running like new.
🔧 Order your oil filter now and give your engine the clean oil it deserves.
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