Different types of engine oil filters have the same purpose: to protect powertrain components from harmful particles and lubricant contaminants – provided the filter is of high quality, such as SOFIMA filters.
Why are there different engine oil filters? Some vehicles are fitted with immersion filters, others with screw-on filters, also known as spin-on filters. The first explanation is cost: a simpler filter is less expensive for the car manufacturer. In reality, each type of lube filter has its advantages.
- Structurally, an immersion engine oil filter consists of a central recyclable plastic element, around which the filter media is wrapped. This can be made from synthetic fibres, which provide a filtration capacity of up to 4 microns, withstand high pressures, and are suitable for even the most advanced engines. Alternatively, it can be made of cellulose blended with synthetic fibres to maximise its holding capacity and pressure resistance. The simplicity of the immersion filter reflects a more environmentally friendly component design. This is one reason why car manufacturers today are increasingly turning to this type of filter.
- The screw-on engine oil filter, on the other hand, consists of an outer metal structure, containing the filter material. It has a threaded top that allows it to be to be mounted on engine, usually in a position close to the lubricant pump. Its structure is more complex, as it is made up of numerous components such as sealing rings, threaded cover plates, filter elements, check valves, and support springs. These elements must fit together with precision.
Different operations
The two different designs also result in different installation methods. To install the immersion filter, first apply new oil to the sealing ring. The filter is then screwed into the base, taking care to tighten it by three-quarters of a turn to ensure stability.
Screw-on filters are easier and quicker to replace. They are simply screwed back into place, although it is advisable to fit a new gasket and apply fresh engine oil.
Of course, it is not possible to choose which type of filter to fit, as this decision has already been made by the vehicle manufacturer during its design. However, both types meet the standards for filtration efficiency, provided they are replaced regularly at the intervals specified by the manufacturer in the service manual.
What makes the difference, however, is the choice of filter manufacturer, as some products are manufactured using processes that do not guarantee adequate filtration and may have a negative effect on engine efficiency. Therefore, it is always necessary to use reliable components, such as SOFIMA filters, which guarantee the same quality as original equipment filters.
A very wide range
As a leader in the filter industry, SOFIMA has always adhered to strict standards in research and development, design and production. Each product is rigorously tested to ensure that customers are always provided with solutions of the same quality as original equipment components and that the consumers are protected from any concerns.
All SOFIMA filtration solutions can be found in the online Aftermarket Catalogue, which contains more than 2,900 references for automotive and commercial vehicle applications, approximately 500 of which are dedicated to oil filtration.
Funzione essenziale
Perché è importante che il filtro olio motore sia di alta qualità? Basta ricordare la funzione che svolge per capirlo: il suo compito è rimuovere le impurità e le particelle di sporco presenti nel lubrificante del propulsore.
Se il filtro non agisce in maniera efficace, le particelle generate dal movimento delle parti meccaniche o già presenti negli oli di scarsa qualità possono danneggiare il motore, causando guasti gravi o riducendone la vita utile.
Negli ultimi anni, inoltre, l’evoluzione tecnologica dei motori ha portato a un aumento delle loro prestazioni e a una contestuale riduzione di consumi ed emissioni, regolata da normative sempre più severe (Euro 6 e, prossimamente, Euro 7). Questo ha comportato l’emergere di nuove problematiche come la presenza di particolato e biocombustibili nell’olio, condizioni di utilizzo più spinte, l’allungamento degli intervalli di sostituzione del lubrificante e l’utilizzo di oli a lunga durata (detti “long life”).
SOFIMA utilizza nuove soluzioni filtranti, basate sull’impiego di fibre di vetro e sintetiche, che interagiscono con i fluidi del motore e i loro contaminanti, e sviluppate grazie a tecnologie studiate nei laboratori di ricerca del Gruppo UFI Filters.
Al tempo stesso, i moduli green SOFIMA limitano l’impatto ambientale con materiali come blend polimerici caricati con fibra di vetro e leghe di alluminio che offrono maggiore resistenza chimica e termica.
Intervalli corretti
Il filtro olio motore, per garantire la sua efficienza, deve essere sostituito regolarmente, con la periodicità prevista dai costruttori dei veicoli. La maggior parte suggerisce questo intervento ogni 15 mila chilometri per i motori a benzina e ogni 25-30 mila per quelli a gasolio. In ogni caso, quasi sempre le Case produttrici consigliano la sostituzione del filtro in occasione di ogni cambio olio.
L’utilizzo del veicolo in condizioni particolari, come strade molto polverose, o l’impiego su vetture datate possono suggerire un intervallo di sostituzione più ridotto, anche di 10 mila chilometri.
Al momento della sostituzione, l’utilizzo di filtri olio motore SOFIMA garantisce il montaggio sui veicoli di filtri di qualità pari a quella dei prodotti destinati al primo equipaggiamento.
