How often should one change the oil filter? In a vehicle driven less than 500 miles a year, should the filter be changed with the annual oilchange?
annually at minimum..depends on the humidity in your area, number of infrequent runs and engine starts that do not get the block up to temp for a substained period of time to remove condensation..
I average 1500 miles or better each season on my '40 business coupe, I change the oil and filter once a year, normally in the Spring before the driving season actually starts
I change my filter and oil every spring. If you don't change the filter you are mixing a quart of old oil into the new oil. The older engines need to have the oil changed more frequently than newer engines. Some years I don't even put 500 miles on the oil.
Quote from: John Hendricks on August 09, 2010, 10:56:28 AM
How often should one change the oil filter? In a vehicle driven less than 500 miles a year, should the filter be changed with the annual oilchange?
I'd agree with those who say that if you change the oil, change the filter also.
Another bit of maintenence which is seldom done, but really should be done, every few years at least, and particularly for cars which sit idle much of the time, is to have the oil pan off, remove any sludge which may have accumulated, and carefully clean the oil pump suction screen.
I've seen far too many oil pump suction screens which were clogged, actually completely blocked, with congealed oil. Some oils will congeal and harden to a tar-like substance, which will be surprisingly difficult to remove from the screen.
cheers
Carla