Oil Filters

All About Oil Filters

What they do: capture the infiltrates in motor oil -- both the byproducts of the oil's production process and what builds up while it lubricates engine parts. In doing so, they help protect oil pumps, their bearings, and other components, thereby prolonging their lives. (In a sense, this is similar to what air filters do for heating and AC systems and what fuel filters do for fuel systems.)

The parts of one: there are three -- a housing, the filter medium itself, and a gasket.

What each part does: the media, obviously, does the filtration. The oil filter housing, however, holds the filter and attaches it to the engine; you can often find them in the engine bay, right next to the engine cover. The oil filter gasket is a rubber seal, one which does two things: helps close the filter off from the outside and helps prevent oil leaks.

Where to access one: usually, once you remove the undertray (if your model has one), from underneath the engine compartment. Some vehicles, however, allow access from above the bay. Check your owner's manual for more specifics.

When to change one: either every 4,800 kilometers or every 3 months -- whichever benchmark you meet first. That means during every oil change, according to many owner's manuals, if not during every other one. Otherwise, do so 1. when the filter medium clogs; 2. use and age wear the medium out. Also replace the housing gaskets when they get brittle and start cracking and leaking oil. The warning signs, in this case, will be oil pressure loss, an engine oil warning light on the dash, and engine performance problems.

Which fits your vehicle: that depends on the thread and gasket sizes it requires -- information you can find in your owner's manual. Be sure to install one with the right dimensions, as to do otherwise can mean oil leaks (much like a bad housing gasket can), and, if the filter detaches from the oil pump, serious and expensive engine damage.

Why Buy a Genuine Mopar Oil Filter

Your brand makes the correct size for your model. The same goes for housings and gaskets. That compatibility guarantee, you may not get from aftermarket oil filters.

Where to Order OEM Oil Filters

Right here online, at our auto parts store has what you need. Just browse our inventory with your model's information (brand, model, and model year) filled in. It'll make it a lot easier to find what fits, not to mention much faster. Buy now, and we'll ship ASAP, right to your address; you'll be swapping the old out for the new in no time.