Does oil filter size matter?

[push_whips]

Hi all, I'm sorry if the is the wrong section, but I just watched a YouTube short about how he's going to start using Honda filters on his Subaru beause they fit and are physically taller. And whatever it's one dude I'm not too concerned about, but I did always wonder how come filters for certain vehicles are taller than others based on brand, by a lot. Like I change the oil on my friends 2012 Impreza, and I alawys iked trying out a variety of filters from trusted brands (just for fun, I ain't send the oil to the lab or anything...Denso, Wix of course, recently got some Hengst as they were on sale. I have a BMW and I trust Hangst and often use their oil filters (esp since Mann's rep has become more questionable lol), so it's not like I'm tryna put radom junk on my friends car.

And yes I bought the right filter I doubled checked on Hengst site, feel free to confirm, it's the base model with the 2.5L or whatever. The Denso one I used before was at least as tall as the Wix one, for the record.

Y'all are smart so I'd appreciate your 2 cents on whether the height makes any difference or has an effect on anything. Thanks

(The lighter is for scale if that's not obvious lol)

 

[push_whips]

SORRY mods I saw the oil one of course but missed the oil *filter* section, just rushing out the door to make my own car less broken. The mods team here is honestly awesome compared or anywhere else and I do appreciate it!!!

 

[JavierH19]

tad bit more dirt holding capacity if being pushed interval wise and can have more oil be filtered before it becomes over pressurized and the bypass needs to open but that's not much nor frequently. A touch more heat dissipation and a smidge more capacity but not much. I don't really see a downside especially when the short and long versions cost the same.

 

[Patman]

SORRY mods I saw the oil one of course but missed the oil *filter* section, just rushing out the door to make my own car less broken. The mods team here is honestly awesome compared or anywhere else and I do appreciate it!!!

No problem, welcome to the forum!

 

[GRUMPYDUDE2]

SORRY mods I saw the oil one of course but missed the oil *filter* section, just rushing out the door to make my own car less broken. The mods team here is honestly awesome compared or anywhere else and I do appreciate it!!!

Less broken I can relate on many levels.

 

[fantastic]

Several different variables that determine the size an OEM considers using. The biggest obvious would be too big for the room for installation & removal. Seen a post in the Lawn equipment forum where one put on a bigger filter & the steering rod rubbed a hole in it. I don't like to go bigger or smaller if I can help it with any applications simply b/c I like to know how much oil it takes according to the manual. There's some learning still but seems to limit me overfilling. Sounds like you just enjoy the hunt for "a different filter".

 

[dnewton3]

As a generalization, going slightly larger really doesn't gain much of anything.
If one has several applications of similar filters, and consolidation is the main goal, then perhaps it might make sense.
Always be aware that using a filter which is not "recommended" for the application may well risk a denial (or at least major delay) of any warranty claim, however remote it may be.

The odd thing to me is that folks will often "upsize" a filter for their equipment, and yet have no idea or indication that the OE filter specs are insufficient. What proof do they have that the OE filter is failing somehow? (Hint ... they don't ...)
But it's the 'Murican way ... if something is good, then more of it must always be better, right?

 

[AJB0009]

On my 06 Tacoma with 2.7L, it calls for the equivalent of a MC FL-910. I have plenty of room, so I run the equivalent of a FL-400. A little bit longer. Like mentioned, will it make any real-world difference? Doubtful. Bit, it's what we do here on BITOG. Also, like mentioned, it is the same price, and I have room, so why not? I looked at the pressures on Wix's website and they were comparable also.

 

[CKN]

Hi all, I'm sorry if the is the wrong section, but I just watched a YouTube short about how he's going to start using Honda filters on his Subaru beause they fit and are physically taller. And whatever it's one dude I'm not too concerned about, but I did always wonder how come filters for certain vehicles are taller than others based on brand, by a lot. Like I change the oil on my friends 2012 Impreza, and I alawys iked trying out a variety of filters from trusted brands (just for fun, I ain't send the oil to the lab or anything...Denso, Wix of course, recently got some Hengst as they were on sale. I have a BMW and I trust Hangst and often use their oil filters (esp since Mann's rep has become more questionable lol), so it's not like I'm tryna put radom junk on my friends car.

And yes I bought the right filter I doubled checked on Hengst site, feel free to confirm, it's the base model with the 2.5L or whatever. The Denso one I used before was at least as tall as the Wix one, for the record.

Y'all are smart so I'd appreciate your 2 cents on whether the height makes any difference or has an effect on anything. Thanks

(The lighter is for scale if that's not obvious lol)

View attachment 276554

No-it makes zero difference. "Friends don't let friends" watch youtube-especially when it's automotive related. Many reputable resources-including this forum. And of course vehicle specific forums.
Welcome!

 

[Mechanician]

As an "out there" question - if more oil is better - as in a larger crankcase capacity.
Would a filter that holds a quart have any benefit over a filter that holds a pint, simply based on volume?

 

[FoxProTwisty]

They'd have different PSI settings on the bypass valve but it's likely not of any concern...unless your engine is clogged up this clogging the filter up.

 

[ctechbob]

For me, the longer filter on the Ranger is easier to get on and off. (I don't have/use wrenches) Any performance gains/capacity are secondary.

For the Honda cars, I settled on a slightly larger one for mostly the same reason. Was easier for me to grab on the wifes I4 and it met the spec for my V6's. Now just keep the 3593a size on hand, just because I like it.

 

[ammolab]

Most modern Subarus can’t go much larger as the hood might hit it. My Chevy can go larger but the “correct” size is protected from road debris impact by the oil pan…any longer hangs below right in the airstream. I will stay “stock”.

 

[Hohn]

No-it makes zero difference. "Friends don't let friends" watch youtube-especially when it's automotive related. Many reputable resources-including this forum. And of course vehicle specific forums.
Welcome!

It makes a difference, just not a difference that matters..

Larger filters CAN (but often do not) hold more media and can (but often do not) have lower restriction for a given amount of flow. Larger filters also make for worse oil pressure delay on startup because they lower the effective bulk modulus of the oil circuit.

None of that matters any bit in the size ranges we’re talking about for small passenger car filters. Only large industrial engines where the spin-on filters hold gallons of oil each and there is a bank of several of them, you absolute bet you can measure a considerable difference that actually matters.

 

[CKN]

It makes a difference, just not a difference that matters..

Larger filters CAN (but often do not) hold more media and can (but often do not) have lower restriction for a given amount of flow. Larger filters also make for worse oil pressure delay on startup because they lower the effective bulk modulus of the oil circuit.

None of that matters any bit in the size ranges we’re talking about for small passenger car filters. Only large industrial engines where the spin-on filters hold gallons of oil each and there is a bank of several of them, you absolute bet you can measure a considerable difference that actually matters.

It does not make a difference in a vehicle- which is what the OP was referring to.

 

[ZeeOSix]

They'd have different PSI settings on the bypass valve but it's likely not of any concern...unless your engine is clogged up this clogging the filter up.

Most people who up-size the filter use the same brand filter, so the larger filter will have a bypass valve set to the same opening PSI.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Larger filters also make for worse oil pressure delay on startup because they lower the effective bulk modulus of the oil circuit.

If the ADBV works well and keep the filter full, the filter size won't really matter.

 

[ZeeOSix]

The main reason I up-size if possible is to obtain the higher media area which helps increase holding capacity, lower dP (which helps keep the filter out of bypass as much), and helps keep the efficiency from decreasing due to loading dP and any dP spikes across the media. Using a filter with a high ISO 4548-12 efficiency rating also indicates that the filter efficiency is not very sensitive to dP debris sloughing.

 

[Hohn]

If the ADBV works well and keep the filter full, the filter size won't really matter.

ADBV has no effect on bulk modulus. A bigger filter is worse just because it’s bigger, even if it’s completely full of oil.

It’s the same reason it takes more to pressurize a big tire than a small tire. A larger volume is more “compressible”. The fluid displacement to system pressure ratio changes with volume and that’s even with zero air in a completely primed system.

We think of oil as incompressible, but we forget that it’s not the compressing of the oil that is the issue, it’s the stretching of everything containing that oil. None of that stuff is infinitely stiff, so it’s bulk modulus changes with volume and unavoidably so.

It’s a tiny effect in this particular example, but it’s 100% real.

 

[ZeeOSix]

ADBV has no effect on bulk modulus. A bigger filter is worse just because it’s bigger, even if it’s completely full of oil.

Oil is basically incompressible at the pressures seen in an oiling system - 80 to 100 PSI near max seen in engine oiling systems. If the filter and oiling system stays full of oil, then as soon as the PD oil pump starts spinning there is flow moving in the system.

It’s the same reason it takes more to pressurize a big tire than a small tire. A larger volume is more “compressible”. The fluid displacement to system pressure ratio changes with volume and that’s even with zero air in a completely primed system.

Air is compressible, oil is not unless it's put under around 1000 or more PSI.

We think of oil as incompressible, but we forget that it’s not the compressing of the oil that is the issue, it’s the stretching of everything containing that oil. None of that stuff is infinitely stiff, so it’s bulk modulus changes with volume and unavoidably so.

It’s a tiny effect in this particular example, but it’s 100% real.

Even is things are "stretching" a little at say 80-100 PSI (that might only be rubber parts that oil pressure is inside of), it's so small compared to the oil pump output volume that it doesn't matter in an engine oiling system. If the system doesn't drain down, then the oil is still going to start moving everywhere in the system as soon as the PD pump starts spinning.

The bottom line is a much larger oil filter, if it stays full of oil before the next start-up, isn't going to effect the delivery of oil to the oiling system.