Just thinking out loud. As a retired engineer, if an auto manufacturer has a recommended OC every 10-11 k miles, what's the wrong with changing the oil every 4-5k miles but continue using the filter until the next change? That's well within a "single" OC interval, and assuming you remove the old oil in the filter at the OC.
Thoughts on only changing oil filter every other oil change
- Thread starter rav
- Start date
Toyota used to recommend that. But not removing the filter and reinstalling, just leaving it on.
That's what I do.
5k oil, 10k filter.
5k oil, 10k filter.
No problem. I've cut apart a number of filters and never found a speck of anything. If manufacturer recommends 10K OCI, why change at half that anyway?
dnewton3
Staff member
Several OEs had, at one time or another, recommended FCIs every other OCI, under certain conditions.
Given your question, an oil filter has no idea how many oil changes it has endured. However, frequent OCIs will flush out the contamination load with each change, thereby reducing the particulate load for any given total duration.
And, BITOG has debated this through the years as well. Your question is one of resounding debate that never ends; beating a dead horse, as it were.
Given your question, an oil filter has no idea how many oil changes it has endured. However, frequent OCIs will flush out the contamination load with each change, thereby reducing the particulate load for any given total duration.
And, BITOG has debated this through the years as well. Your question is one of resounding debate that never ends; beating a dead horse, as it were.
Patman
Staff member
As someone who does 10k oil changes on my Civic, I feel like people who do 5k oil changes and go 10k on one filter are perfectly fine. Although you could always just skip that oil change in the middle and just go 10k on both the oil and the filter 
Double use of oil filters is one thing...but 10K oil changes! Abhorrent. (flame suit on or jk-take your pick)
That's what I do. Filters are fine for 10K. But if it comes off, a new one goes on.
I've done it on the Jeeps and I do it on my daughter's Renegade. I run a 20k Ultra on the Renegade and each goes for around 16k miles.
I haven't done it in awhile on the Pentastars because I had a huge stash of Mobil 1 filters that were $2 or $3 each on clearance. One thing about the Pentastar is that being a cartridge, it doesn't trap any old oil other than what is soaked into the pleats. So I may go back to doing that with them once my stash runs out.
The Vette gets a new filter every time. Because it only gets an oil change once a year and because....It's my dream car. It gets spoiled in every way.
I haven't done it in awhile on the Pentastars because I had a huge stash of Mobil 1 filters that were $2 or $3 each on clearance. One thing about the Pentastar is that being a cartridge, it doesn't trap any old oil other than what is soaked into the pleats. So I may go back to doing that with them once my stash runs out.
The Vette gets a new filter every time. Because it only gets an oil change once a year and because....It's my dream car. It gets spoiled in every way.
If it’s important enough to adhere to a 5k oil change interval, then why neglect changing the filter? The new oil gets a shot of the old dirty oil for its 5k service. That’s my opinion. I imagine today’s engines would operate fine with oil changes every 25k if all you’re looking to do is make 100k. Why not try that?
I try to find an oversized filter and use it for two OCIs. Two oil changes per filter was the norm with many engines in the past. It's cheaper and easier to use the filter twice. I'm lazy n cheap. I have a 99 Dodge that I don't drive much. Filter has been on that engine for 4 years at the moment. I'll change it next fall and cut open and post pictures here when the time comes. Ultra guard PH8a.
Except on my Hyundai where the manufacturer has a habit of insisting on OE filters and will sometimes give you a new engine should the engine fail.
Except on my Hyundai where the manufacturer has a habit of insisting on OE filters and will sometimes give you a new engine should the engine fail.
Honda recommends this as well.
That's what I plan to do on my new Honda Pilot purchase. Honda provides 24 months of complimentary preventive maintenance, likely three oil changes. So I'll do an OC in between (every 4K) and leave the Honda oil filter on. Then after the 24K, I'll stick to complete changes every 4-5K miles. I'm hoping fuel dilution doesn't affect my plans.
Since @kschachn hasn't shown up here yet, I'll link to his reply to the question not long ago.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...l-change-anyone-doing-it.389555/#post-7072249
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...l-change-anyone-doing-it.389555/#post-7072249
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I do this on my Caravan with Pentastar....2x yearly oil changes around 3K, each, changing the filter every other oil change. I want to minimize the times I tighten and loosen the plastic filter housing cap, knowing these **** things can break and leak.
I do it all the time with my Civic. Currently at 150,000 miles and it uses no oil. I just MityVac it out and leave the filter on for 1 year. Sometimes I pull the oil at 3,000 miles since it's easy to do and I like keeping the oil nice and clean. It's probably overkill but the car runs great and it's more of a hobby than anything. I usually use Kirkland oil (Costco) and it's way under $20.00 since it takes 3.8 quarts.
I'll be doing this on my son's Focus with a leaky Fram Endurance this next change, only goes at most 5K OCI/1 year so not a huge deal, just wnat to say I did it...it's really dumb to me hahah...I mean, a ST filter is $4 and I'm under it anyway but need this on my BITOG bingo card.
