However, you can broadly categorize them under two types of oil filters:
Most car manufacturers use a full flow filtration system, incorporating a primary oil filter, also known as a full flow filter.
It’s called a full flow filter because, unlike certain filters that only filter some of your car’s motor oil, it can eliminate contaminants from all of the motor oil used by your car engine.
It’s worth noting that a full flow filter is ideal for colder temperatures.
Extreme cold conditions can make your motor oil thick, and most filters will restrict the oil flow making filtration difficult. This can severely damage the engine.
However, the primary oil filter offers engine protection by letting your motor oil pass more easily through the engine than other types of filters, even after thickening in cold temperatures.
Let’s take a look at some primary filter or full flow filter types.
Here are the most common primary oil filter types to keep your engine oil clean and protect your car from engine wear:
A. Cartridge Oil Filter
The cartridge oil filter is also sometimes known as an eco oil filter.
That’s because this full flow filter type has no metal parts and can be easily recycled in many cases. The cartridge oil filter is also preferred for its ease of use. And if it’s positioned upright, your mechanic can usually inspect the cartridge filter without removing your engine oil.
B. Spin-On Oil Filter
Another full flow filter is a spin-on oil filter.
Unlike a cartridge oil filter, this primary filter type isn’t as eco-friendly. It uses a steel canister paired with a paper filter element. A spin-on oil filter is great for people who wish to DIY their fuel filter changes because its easy replacement hardly requires any complex tools.
Now that you know about the primary filter types, let’s move on to the secondary filter types.
The next main type of oil filter is a secondary oil filter. It’s used to support your car’s full flow filter.
This filter cleans less than 10% of the motor oil used by your car engine and removes contaminants that your primary filter may have missed.
A secondary oil filter adds an extra layer of engine protection and can easily prolong the life of your motor oil.
Another name for a secondary oil filter is a bypass filter.
However, they’re entirely different from a bypass valve.
What’s a bypass valve?
A bypass valve is a pressure relief valve designed to open when the oil thickens or when the oil filter is clogged. The opening allows oil flow to bypass the oil filter via a center tube, offering the engine protection from damage.