Air Filter, as with other filters (like oil and fuel filter) needs to be changed regularly. This is important to preserve your engine’s performance.

In this post, we’ll look at different types of air filters and how often you should change them.

Types of Air Filter

Paper filters – Porous paper is pleated and lined along the air intake (openings) of the filter. As air passes through, dirt is trapped in the pores of the paper. These type of filters are efficient, cost-effective and easy to service.

Foam filters – Oil-wetted polyurethane foam is used to trap particles in the air. These tend to be more efficient filters than paper filters but can cause airflow restriction quickly.

Cotton – Layers of oiled cotton gauze is used as air filter. Seldom used in automobiles.

Oil Bath – The airflow is made to change direction abruptly in the filter as it approaches a reservoir of oil. Air changes direction easily, but not the dirt and particles. So these go straight into the pool of oil while cleaner air passes through. Alternatively the air stream can be made to aerate through a bath of oil.

How Often Should You Change Your Air Filter?

These little air “cleaners” must be changed regularly in order to prevent airflow restriction into the engine. If airflow is restricted, inefficient combustion results and engine power is reduced.

Check your air filter every other month and replace it when clogged. Or replace it when you tune-up your engine. You can also extend the life of your air filter by blowing it clean with compressed air regularly.

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Engine oil helps prevent metal surfaces in your engine from grinding together due to friction. It also holds all the dirt generated by fuel combustion and friction in suspension…and it keeps all moving parts coated in oil. Engine oil also prevents oxidation at high temperatures by limiting exposure to oxygen. Therefore using good (or suitable) engine oil will help maintain the condition of your car engine.

To buy suitable engine oil for your car, let’s first understand a little basic about engine oil…

Types of Engine Oil

There are 3 different types of engine oil – Mineral Oil, Semi-Synthetic Oil and Synthetic Oil.

Mineral oil is based from distillation of crude oil while pure synthetic oil is derived from the re-construction of polymers in a lab. Pure synthetic oil is used exclusively for heavily loaded high performance engines and the cost of manufacturing these are way beyond the budget of consumers. Semi-synthetic is a blend of mineral oil and synthetic oil.

The synthetic engine oils that we use (like Mobil 1) are actually derived from a mineral oil refraction process. The product of this process is stable synthetic oil that’s less likely to react with other compounds. Thus synthetic oils are able to lubricate without the shortcomings of mineral oil.

Viscosity Ratings

Your car’s user manual will indicate the range of engine oil you should use. And you would have seen some numbers like “10W-30” But what do the numbers mean?

The number to the left of the letter “W”, meaning winter, is the viscosity of the oil at a low temperature while the number to the right of letter “W” refers to the viscosity of oil at a high temperature. Without going into too much detail, this is known as multi-viscosity oil.

The multi-viscosity behavior is achieved by mixing some viscosity modifier additive into the oil. As the oil warms up, the modifier produces a thickening effect.

So how on earth do I know which viscosity number to buy?

Alright…you got me…let me explain.

In cooler climate regions (with perpetual winter), use low viscosity oil like 5W-30. In temperate regions (like where the rest of world lives), use 10W-40 oils. And in hot regions (like those who live near the equator), buy 15W-50 engine oil. Of course this is just a guide to give you a clearer picture of what these numbers mean. Always follow the recommendation of your car’s user manual.

Engine Oil Brands

Here’s a list of engine oil brands that you can choose from…some of the brands are well known while several others are unheard of:

Caltex
Carlube
Castrol
Conoco
Delphi
Duckhams
ELF
ESSO
FK Massimo
Fuchs
Greddy
Idemitsu
KIC
Liqui Moly
Mobil
Motul
Mugen
OWS
Pennzoil
Prestone
Redline
REV 1
Shell
Shogun
Singapore Petroleum Company
Texas
Toho
Torco
Total
TRD
Unil Opal
United Oil
XREV

The best bet is to buy from the major brands because these companies are more obligated to ensure a minimum standard and to implement good quality control in the production of their products. And most workshops carry the major brands…therefore if you really have to visit another workshop for maintenance, they’ll have a brand that you’re already comfortable using.

Changing Your Engine Oil

Most car manufacturers will recommend drivers to change their engine oil every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers. This is the easiest way for car manufacturers to communicate how often their cars need an oil change…but…contrary to popular belief, oil degradation depends on a variety of factors unrelated to mileage. Therefore to make things simple, if you happen to observe that your engine oil is dark and black, it’s time to change it.

The most convenient way to change your engine oil is to get your mechanic to change them during your car servicing appointments.
Yet if you have to change the engine oil yourself, the easiest way is to get yourself a Pela Pump so that you can avoid all the mess and inconvenience related to oil handling. And it saves you much time and frustration if you’re changing the engine oil yourself for the first time.

Notes:

If you’ve been using mineral oil in your engine for a long time (like years), don’t switch to synthetic oil immediately. It’s safer to transit by using semi-synthetic first. This is because synthetic engine oil can dislodge the deposits from mineral oils and leave them floating around your engine.

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A car breakdown can be one of the most frustrating events of the day. Imagine being trapped in the middle of the road under the hot blazing sun while your car refuses to budge…or…the car engine just refuse to start as you’re rushing off to work.

Thankfully, simple vehicle maintenance can save you the frustration and expense of costly repairs. Here are some tips to save you time, hassle and money.

1. Look out for abnormal symptoms or noises while driving

If you observe significantly increased fuel consumption, hard starting or any unusual noises while driving, get your car inspected by an automotive technician. A good, honest car mechanic will usually not charge anything if there isn’t anything wrong with your car in the end.

2. Regular Servicing

Your vehicle should be serviced at regular intervals, usually every 10,000km or every 12 months, which ever occurs first. This alone will help avoid most car breakdowns on the road.

Make sure your car mechanic helps you check your radiator coolant level and if your radiator has accumulated any sludge…or…have suffered any rust or deterioration. Your car mechanic should also check the fan belt and drive belts, the battery health, the tyres and brakes as well as all the fluid levels under your car bonnet, etc.

You’re also advised to keep a car-servicing journal (usually provided by your dealer’s authorized workshops) to record the frequency of various car maintenance tasks.

3. Engine oil

Perform an engine oil level check occasionally (using the dipstick) when the engine is cold. Engine oil tends to get darker in colour as it ages. If your oil is darker than usual and you’re unsure of the mileage or when your last service was, the oil should be replaced.

4. Battery

Check the battery’s electrolyte level and top up with water if required. Ensure the terminals are clean and securely tightened. Buying batteries classified as “low maintenance” or “maintenance free” could help you save time on battery inspections. All new maintenance-free batteries can easily last over a year, so you won’t have a problem here.

The major cause of a car breakdown on public roads is due to flat batteries or punctured tyres. And this can be easily avoided or quickly rectified by ensuring that your batteries are checked regularly and your spare tyres are pumped to the correct pressure. So do these simple checks and you’ll have a smoother drive on the road.

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