Why are oil filters made disposable???

[labman]

+1

If you are really concerned about the environment, I guess it is another argument for synthetic oil and longer OCI's. I am switching mainly to reduce oil imports.

 

[FusilliJerry82]

Replacing cartridge filters is a pain.

 

[labman]

Replacing poorly designed cartridge filters is a pain just like some of the absurd contortions I have known people to have to go through to change spin ons. I really enjoy skipping digging out the ramps and then crawling under the car with my fine, American designed Ecotec cartridge.

It is easier than the best of the spin ons I ever had, and nothing compared to some of the stupid cars I have had.

 

[hardcore302]

recycle.

 

[Jim 5]

Originally Posted By: labman
Replacing poorly designed cartridge filters is a pain just like some of the absurd contortions I have known people to have to go through to change spin ons. I really enjoy skipping digging out the ramps and then crawling under the car with my fine, American designed Ecotec cartridge.

It is easier than the best of the spin ons I ever had, and nothing compared to some of the stupid cars I have had.


What's easier is a cartridge filter that you change from the top like BMW's and some vw's have. With a topsider oil "sucker" you can change the oil and filter in about 5 minutes without any mess or getting under the car.

It was so easy it felt like I wasn't getting enough quality time maintaining my car.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Cartridge filter at the top of the engine is the best location.

 

[labman]

I haven't heard of any American car with a cartridge that was a PITA. Certainly my Ecotec is great. Some of the German and Japanese things give cartridges a bad name.

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: Robenstein
I wish my motorcycle had a spin on filter. Having to replace the cartridge filter sucks on it. I keep having to buy new fasteners from yamaha and o rings for the cover.



The Toyota one takes a new set of o-rings on each change as well. But they come with the filter element.

 

[PT1]

Just use a Fram....99% cardboard....

 

[slalom44]

We pay for convenience. Disposable filters are inexpensive.

We don't think twice when we crack open a can of beer or Coke and think about the waste. And aluminum requires roughly eight times more energy to produce per pound than steel. And since steel is magnetic and magnetic separators are used by most waste disposal facilities, most filters likely get recycled anyway. The percent of aluminum and plastic that actually gets recycled is significantly less than steel.

If you're really concerned about waste, stop buying canned beverages.

 

[Hokiefyd]

A North Carolina law went into effect late last year that bans filters from municipal solid waste:

http://www.p2pays.org/BannedMaterials/OilFilters/FSshops.asp

Many places that already take oil now also take your oil filters for recycling.

 

[Torino]

So you can throw them away. John--Las Vegas.

 

[SuperBusa]

Originally Posted By: Torino
So you can throw them away. John--Las Vegas.


He's saying in N. Carolina it's illegal to throw them away in the trash. Each state will be different.

 

[ted s]

so how does an indivdual get rid of a filter?

 

[labman]

I drill a hole in the dome end and drain them. Then I send them to the recycle place with the tin cans. If I quit posting here, I may be in jail.

 

[deeter16317]

Originally Posted By: labman
I drill a hole in the dome end and drain them. Then I send them to the recycle place with the tin cans. If I quit posting here, I may be in jail.



This is what I do as well...either in the recyclables, or to the scrapman next door. As long as they get recycled.

I think the earliest (full flow) cartridge filter I remember was on a late 80s "Tech-4" in a Grand Am...you had to remove this fairly big "plug" that drained the oil and held the filter. I also have a cartridge filter on my 53 M37...