how long do oil filters last if....

[xfactor9]

My weekend car is driven a few hundred miles a year. I change the oil annually.

But what about the oil filter? how long would it last? The oil filter for this car is hard to find and expensive too, so I don't want to replace it unless it's really necessary

 

[Hounds]

You're going to get a lot of anecdotal responses. (For example, I left an OEM Bosch on an '88 911 Club Sport, used as you described, for years. Never had an issue, but that and my five-year oil change sked infuriated other P-car owners.) IMHO, if you think it might be an issue for your car or your filter, ask the filter manufacturer, which is what I did.

 

[RF Overlord]

Leaving the filter on for 2 years shouldn't be an issue. My driveway queen doesn't see much more use than yours and that's what I do.

 

[gfh77665]

Originally Posted By: Hounds
You're going to get a lot of anecdotal responses.
Thats pretty much all that could be expected. I doubt there is lots of official technical data readily available on this issue.

Anecdotally, I store cars on a regular basis. My longest stroage was a mint condition Chevy truck, for 2.5 years. The fresh Mobil 1 I had was still good after the storage period, and the filter was too. After storage, I ran the vehicle for a regular OCI. everything held up well for 3 years total.

Time is not nearly the factor (if any) for oil & filters that some might have believed. Extend your filter and OCI for at least 2-3 years. No worries at all.

 

[chubbs1]

Originally Posted By: Hounds
You're going to get a lot of anecdotal responses. (For example, I left an OEM Bosch on an '88 911 Club Sport, used as you described, for years. Never had an issue, but that and my five-year oil change sked infuriated other P-car owners.) IMHO, if you think it might be an issue for your car or your filter, ask the filter manufacturer, which is what I did.


Excellent answer. Now time for the anecdotal answer.......The oil filter should be absolutely fine for your yearly OCI.

 

[bigt61]

200 miles a year? Personally, I wouldn't change the oil or filter for 5 years assuming you're using a quality synthetic oil.

 

[bullwinkle]

I recently changed the Bosch Distance Plus on my Ram after 2 1/2 years & roughly 6000 miles (not the oil)-looked perfect inside. Only issue was light surface rust on the baseplate (vertically mounted filter).

 

[LeakySeals]

If it were me, I'd use a synthetic filter media for a 2 year filter interval. Paper "could" get soggy and tear after a while. I know a lady thats had a paper filter on for 5 years and the engine still runs. But looking at the oil my guess is the filter has a hole or is completely bypassed at this point.

 

[wn1998]

I am assuming that your "summer car" is worth more than a "beater" or why would you only drive it 200 miles a year. Is it really worth worrying about it to only save $7-8 a year?

 

[KitaCam]

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
If it were me, I'd use a synthetic filter media for a 2 year filter interval. Paper "could" get soggy and tear after a while.


Yes....or the paper-composition filter when you change the oil each year...

If you're not sure which you have/which to buy, just change it with the oil and sleep well.

 

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted By: bigt61
200 miles a year? Personally, I wouldn't change the oil or filter for 5 years assuming you're using a quality synthetic oil.


I agree.

 

[Jim Allen]

Search the previous BITOG filter posts, since this exact question has been asked and answered about five times in the past couple of years. Bottom line: The engineers are comfortable with five years but concede they could go farther. I routinely run 2-4 years with no ill effects, even on "non-premium" cellulose filters. Lots more details but repeating them three times is my limit.

 

[dnewton3]

Quote:
Search the previous BITOG filter posts, since this exact question has been asked and answered about five times in the past couple of years months .....


(sigh ....) There is no end to this ....

 

[NJC]

As long as the filter media can withstand being oil soaked for years (I'm sure it can) then it would be fine IMO. I'd be more concerned about brittle media from thermal cycling, but I have absolutely no data to back up my assertions hypothesis.