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Can You Replace Oil Filter Without Changing the Oil?

Auto Parts and Accessories · December 27, 2022

Yes, you can replace the oil filter without changing the oil, but that is not recommended at all. The best practice is to drain out all the contaminated oil from the engine block at first. 

Next, get rid of the old filter and replace it with a new one, which contains nearly a quart of contaminated oil. Lastly, refill with the fresh oil you have chosen and you are good to go.

Can You Replace Oil Filter Without Changing the Oil

Can You Replace Oil Filter Without Changing the Oil?

You can replace the oil filter without changing the oil. However, you would not want to do that unless you do not mind spilling oil and then again going through the hassle of refilling it.

Hence, the best practice is to renew the oil and filter together. That way the filter will not get clogged by dirt and solid deposits and affect the performance of the engine negatively.

How to Replace Oil Filter Without Changing Oil

You can replace the oil filter without changing the oil by following the steps mentioned in this section.

Step 1:Turn the Engine Off

Turn the Engine Off

Firstly, make sure the engine is turned off. Once you do that, there will be no oil pressure.

Step 2: Locate the Oil Filter

You will find the oil filter located beneath the engine and on the front of your car.

Step 3: Remove the Oil Filter

Lastly, unscrew the oil filter and remove it. You won’t lose any oil either except a minuscule amount that would be in the filter.

Why Replace the Filter

Why Replace the Filter

To dive further, there is virtually no benefit to changing only the filter and omitting the oil. Typically, they are replaced simultaneously. Heat is regarded as oil’s main adversary because as it gets hot, it begins to degrade. As oil ages, it offers progressively less defense.

That is where the filter comes in. The filter’s purpose is to prevent any particles from clogging any small orifices or oiling jets by keeping them out of the circulating oil. Usually, replacing the oil comes before replacing the filter. However, replacing both at the same time is the better practice.

Placement of the Oil Filter

As for whether you should replace the oil first or not, it depends on the placement of the oil filter. It will be difficult to change the oil filter if it is located underneath the car without spilling some oil. In that case, the oil will evidently leak. Although, you can reduce the amount of oil lost if you act quickly enough. 

However, the likelihood is that you will need to add more oil to make up for the oil that leaked out. This is definitely not something you would want to resort to.

There will still be some spillage if the oil filter is on top of the engine. However, it will not be as much. The filter’s oil will be the only thing to leak. You will likely need to top off your oil before installing the new filter in order to make up for the oil that was lost in the old filter. But compared to when the filter was under the car, you should not lose as much.

What Happens If You Change the Oil Filter But Not the Oil

What Happens If You Change the Oil Filter But Not the Oil

To function properly, your engine needs a huge volume of clean oil. The amount of oil that can pass through the oil filter and into your engine can be drastically reduced if the oil filter is not changed on a regular basis. 

As a result, the oil’s dirt is no longer filtered out and has a greater chance of clogging important lubrication channels. This may seriously harm the engine. Your engine could sustain serious damage and eventually become clogged without this oil.

Can I Replace Just My Oil Filter

Replacing only the oil filter without changing the oil will only lead to further problems. Either you will lose oil and you will have to make up for it, or your engine will get clogged. 

This is why oil filters can only be changed after a vehicle’s entire supply of engine oil has been removed. That is yet another justification for changing your filter each time you change your oil.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is an oil filter good for?

The typical range of an oil filter’s mileage is between 5,000 and 8,000 miles. Some people might advise replacing the oil filter every 10,000 miles. However, that is a bit too often for the majority of cars. Oil filters and oils used need to be changed every 3,000 miles.

How much does it cost to change the oil filter?

Depending on where you live, an oil and filter change with conventional oil will typically cost between $35 and $75. You can expect to pay more if your car utilizes synthetic oil. However, you can offset some of the costs since synthetic oil lasts longer and needs to be changed less frequently.

How do I know when to change My oil filter?

You will know that your oil filter needs to be changed when you get poor performance from your engine. The engine will sputter and make audible metallic noise. Moreover, low oil pressure and dirty exhaust are some of the aftereffects of a clogged oil filter.

Conclusion

The bottom is that whenever you replace the oil filter, you should also change the oil. Although you can replace the oil filter without changing the oil, regardless. However, you will spill oil and you would not want that. Therefore, the recommendation is that you adhere to better practice.

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Filed Under: Auto Parts and Accessories

William Quick

I am a professional automotive mechanic at Midas Auto Experts and have been for over 10 years. I enjoy working on all types of cars, from luxury models to everyday drivers. I pride myself on being able to diagnose and fix problems quickly and efficiently, so my customers can get back on the road as soon as possible. If you're looking for an automotive specialist who knows his stuff, then come see me at Midas Auto Experts. We offer competitive rates and outstanding customer service - so don't hesitate to give us a call today.

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