Sooper Noob Question

[Asinine]

The car's oil filter mounts completely vertically. Suppose I wanted to change the filter without draining the oil. Would that be a problem? Could/should I pour the oil that was in the old filter into the new filter?

I ask because some literature I'm reading is suggesting that extended drain intervals are improved by changing the filter more frequently than the oil. (I have an '04 WRX with 2800 miles, 1200 of this on Mobil 1 10W-30)

 

[slalom44]

It's not advisable to pour the oil from the old filter into the new one because unless all of the oil is coming out of the center tube, you're going to get some of the particulates that your old filter was able to filter out. And since you're pouring it into the center of the new filter, it will end up in your engine unfiltered when you start your car.

Besides, it's not a bad idea to add a little fresh oil at this time because some additives become depleted.

 

[Chris B.]

My filters mount vertical also. I think you loose no more then a qt of oil. I'd just put on a new filter and then top off with new oil. Also prefill the new oil filter befor you put it on.

Also don't do an extended drain yet with this low miles as you are still going through break in. I'g get al least 5,000-10,000 before extending the drain to help with break in and getting wear particals out. The best way to determin this is to do a few UOA's (used oil analaysis) and see hoe the oil is really doing in you engine. Those WRX show exttreemly good results! Do a search and read up!

 

[TC]

I agree with Slalom and Chris. Not much to be gained by pouring a half-quart of dirty oil (even if filtered) from the old filter back into the engine. Personally, I disagree with changing filters more often than oil. If your filter has sufficient capacity, it should last the same duration of the oil. If not, find a filter with more media area. The trend has always been the opposite, changing the filter every OTHER oil change (at least for some vehicles, although I make sure to change both at each service). In short, if your filter is clogging and in need of changing halfway through an oil service interval (even with synthetic extended lubes), something's wrong. What does the Subaru manual say about all this? By any chance does this reflect a community concern over the smallish Subaru filters? If so, get a Wix, Purolator, etc. with a large-area media and lose that concern.

 

[jason07-1zzfe]

Right, the benefit doesn't come from changing the filter. It comes from the fresh oil added to replace the old oil removed with the old filter.
Most filters should last 10-15k.

 

[Asinine]

Alrighty. No new filter without new oil. Thanks.

I think I need to stop coming to these forums as much as I do. I went from looking forward to changing my own oil, to obsessing over Royal Purple vs. Redline. I need to just calm the **** down and just buy Mobil 1 at the local costco and continue with the Purolator filters and be done with it!

 

[darkdan]

Fill the new filter up with new oil before you put it on. Helps reduce the dry start wear.

 

[Chris B.]

quote:

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Originally posted by Asinine:
Alrighty. No new filter without new oil. Thanks.

I think I need to stop coming to these forums as much as I do. I went from looking forward to changing my own oil, to obsessing over Royal Purple vs. Redline. I need to just calm the **** down and just buy Mobil 1 at the local costco and continue with the Purolator filters and be done with it!

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Welcome to the club!!! I haven't lost this much sleep sence I found this site! I'm always worrying about oil now!

 

[Propflux01]

Your currect oil regimen sounds good as it is....

 

[JohnnyO]

Paraphrasing what was stated elsewhere in another thread, if you're going to crawl under it to do one or the other, you might as well change the oil and filter both. I mean really, how much more work and money is it versus the benefit you get?