Product Knowledge for NAPA AUTO PARTS Store Employees
Which Filter is the Right One?
W
hen it comes to selling filters,
there's more to it than simply
looking up the year/make/model and
engine size to see what fits your customer's
application. Filter selection also depends
on how a vehicle is used and how often it
is maintained. Many late model vehicles
today have extended oil service intervals
that range from 7,500 miles up to 10,000
miles or more. On those that rely on an
"Oil Service Reminder" light to signal
when an oil change is needed, the interval
may stretch out even longer depending
on how the vehicle is driven and how the
reminder light is programmed.
Regular filter maintenance is
essential for today’s longer
service intervals. Equally
important is choosing the
"right" filter for the application.
ISSUE 11.2013
Extended service intervals are
supposed to lower maintenance costs for
vehicle owners — which they do. But if
the wrong type of motor oil or filters are
installed when a vehicle is serviced, or the
vehicle owner puts off even the minimal
amount of maintenance that's required to
keep their vehicle warranty in effect, it can
have expensive consequences.
applications, but so are many soccer moms
and teen drivers.
For Severe Service applications, the
recommended oil and filter change is often
as low as 3,000 miles — which is more
in line with the traditional aftermarket
recommendation to change the oil and
filter every 3,000 miles or 3 months.
If a motorist buys the cheapest filters
on a big box retailer's shelf, chances
are those filters may be inadequate for
extended service intervals – and maybe
even normal service intervals.
Extended Service
Intervals Require
Better Filters
Extended service intervals are based on
using high quality lubricants, fluids and
filters that meet OEM specifications, and
"normal" driving.
Although most motorists think of
themselves as "normal" drivers, truth is
many are actually "severe service" drivers
who should follow the Severe Service
maintenance recommendations in their
owner's manual.
Severe Service is typically defined as
frequent short trip stop-and-go driving
(especially during cold weather), operating
the vehicle in dusty environments (which
includes anybody who drives on gravel
roads in rural areas), towing a trailer,
camper or boat, frequent extended idling
(15 minutes or more), or sustained high
speed driving in extremely hot climates.
Police cars, taxis, many hard-working
trucks and SUVs are easily Severe Service
Choosing a
Quality Filter
The quality of the filter media, the
construction of the filter canister in the
case of oil and fuel filters, and the level of
filtration efficiency and capacity are all
important factors to consider when choosing
the "right" filter for a vehicle application.
NAPA oil and air filters are available in
three grades:
n Silver (Good) – An economical choice
for vehicles that are maintained
frequently (oil changes every 3,000 to
4,000 miles) and do not require extra
filtering capacity.
n Gold (Better) – NAPA's OEM
equivalent filters that provide the same
filtration efficiency, capacity and design
features as the OEM filters they replace.
continued inside
} E
xtended Service Intervals
Require Better Filters
} A
ir Filters
} C
hoosing a Quality Filter
} F
uel Filters
} O
il Filters
} T
ransmission Filters
} T
he Type of Motor Oil
is Important Too
} R
elated Sales
} C
abin Air Filters
©2013 National Automotive Parts Association
The Type of Motor Oil
is Important Too
SilverNAPAFilters™ Oil
GoldNAPAFilters™ Oil
PlatinumNAPAFilters™ Oil
NAPA's Standard
Oil Filter
Do you change your oil
every 4 months or
4,000 miles?
NAPA's "Original"
Premium Oil Filter
Do you change your
oil based on OE
recommended guidelines?
NAPA's Ultra-Premium
Oil Filter
Using a synthetic oil and
need an extened change
interval oil filter?
Your NAPA store has different types of filters for different types of
applications. All filters are NOT the same!
n Platinum (Best) – NAPA's top-of-
the-line premium filters that provide
the best efficiency, capacity and
performance of any filter that's available
today. This is an ideal choice for Severe
Service applications, extended service
intervals and hard-working engines that
require synthetic motor oils.
Oil Filters
Although it would seem logical to have a
standardized oil filter that would fit most
makes and models (Ford tried, then gave
up!), oil filters are very engine specific.
Not only do spin-on oil filters differ in
size, filtering capacity and thread style,
they also differ internally with different
bypass settings and anti-drainback valves.
Because of this, you should NEVER
choose a replacement filter based on
fitment alone. Always follow your catalog
listings when looking up filter applications.
Don't guess.
It's true that in some cases a slightly
longer or shorter or bigger or smaller oil
filter may fit a given engine application
— provided the gasket seal is in the same
location and the pipe threads are identical.
But there may be internal differences in
filtering efficiency, capacity or pressure
control that make the filter the "wrong"
choice for the application.
Most overhead cam (OHC) engines
require an oil filter that has an internal
anti-drainback valve. The anti-drainback
valve prevents oil from draining out of the
filter and helps retain oil in the passages
above the filter so oil will reach the OHC
cams and upper valvetrain components
more quickly following a cold start.
Many late model engines have gone
back to cartridge style filters. The o-ring
seal on the filter housing cap should also
be replaced when changing one of these
filters.
Any engine that follows an extended
service schedule of 7,500 miles or more
should use either a NAPA Gold or
Platinum oil filter. The Platinum filter
is recommended for applications that
operate in dusty environments or require
additional filter capacity.
NAPA Platinum filters are for
extended service intervals with
synthetic oils. They're the best
filters you can install.
Extended oil change intervals are often
based on using a semi-synthetic or full
synthetic motor oil and high capacity oil
and air filters. Many 5W-20 motor oils
meet this criteria because they are made
with higher quality base stocks. However,
many conventional 10W-30 oils and even
some 5W-30 oils that are commonly
recommended for older vehicles may
not hold up so well when the oil change
intervals goes beyond 5,000 miles.
Consequently, if you have a customer
who drives a 10 to 15 year old car or truck
with 100,000 miles plus on the odometer,
encourage them to have their oil and filter
changed more frequently.
Air Filters
The factory recommended inspection/
replacement intervals for air filters is often
overly optimistic. The normal service
schedule for inspecting or replacing the
air filter today may range up to 50,000 or
60,000 miles. A few, such as certain Ford
Focus PZEV models, even have a "lifetime"
(100,000 mile-plus) air filter.
Regardless of what the factory
recommendations are, the air filter should
be inspected every time the oil is changed
— and even more often if the vehicle is
driven frequently on dusty gravel roads or
off-road.
Many consumers don't even know how
to inspect an air filter properly. When you
pop open the plastic housing on most late
model flat panel air filters, what you see
first is the "clean" side of the filter. All the
dirt and gunk is actually on the underside
of the filter, so the filter must be removed
from the housing to visually inspect the
underside.
The best way to inspect an air filter
is to hold it up to a bright light. The less
transparent the filter, the dirtier it is.
Shaking the filter or banging it against
something to dislodge debris actually does
Which Filter is the Right One?
unthrottled and pull a lot of air through
their intake systems.
Cabin Air Filters
When you open an air filter
housing, the "clean" side of the
flat panel filter is up. The filter
must be removed to inspect it.
little to extend its service life. Ditto for
using an air hose to blow out the filter
from the clean side. The reason why
is because the filter media is designed
to trap and hold contaminants within
the media fibers. We're talking micron
sized particles (which are smaller in
diameter than a human hair). It's also
impossible to "wash" a cellulose (paper)
type of pleated air filter because water
will destroy it. There are some cottonbased and synthetic fiber filters that are
washable and reusable. But some of
these have proved to be troublesome
because they require oiling to trap
debris, and the oil may be carried by the
airstream and contaminate the engine's
mass airflow sensor.
As a filter becomes clogged with
such particles, its filtering efficiency
actually goes up but its holding capacity
goes down. Eventually, it reaches the
point where the trapped debris creates
a restriction that inhibits airflow.
The engine management system will
compensate for this to some extent, but
it won't offset the loss in power and fuel
economy that results from a plugged air
filter.
Some trucks have a small airflow
restriction gauge on the air filter housing
that shows when a filter needs to be
replaced. This is especially important
on diesel applications because diesels are
The replacement market for cabin air
filters continues to grow every year as
more and more vehicles are equipped
with these types of filters. The best way
to determine if a customer's vehicle has
a cabin air filter is to look in the vehicle
owner's manual. Check the index for
Cabin Air Filter, or look in the section
that lists scheduled maintenance items.
You can also check your NAPA filter
catalog listings to see if a vehicle has one
of these filters.
Most cabin air filters are located in
the HVAC plenum assembly behind the
glove box, or at the HVAC inlet near the
cowl area at the base of the windshield
in the engine compartment. Refer to
the vehicle owner's manual for the exact
location of the filter and replacement
procedure.
Cabin air filters are often
overlooked but need to be
changed just like any other filter.
Be careful to not drop debris into
the duct which could cause fan
noise and a comeback.
Cabin air filters come in two basic
types: dust filters and combination dust/
odor filters. The latter have a layer of
activated carbon that absorbs odors.
Most cabin air filters must be replaced
every 20,000 to 30,000 miles — or more
often depending on the size and capacity
of the filter. Many vehicle manufacturers
recommend replacing the combination
dust/odor cabin air filters every 12,000 to
15,000 miles or once a year.
The actual service life of the filter
will depend on operating conditions.
Driving in extremely dusty or heavily
polluted areas can shorten the life of
the filter and require more frequent
inspections and replacement.
One thing to keep in mind about
these filters is that the appearance of the
filter element doesn't tell the whole story
about the filter's condition. If the filter
element is caked with dirt it obviously
needs to be replaced. But even if it
still looks relatively clean, the activated
carbon layer may have lost much of its
ability to react with odors and pollutants
after a year or more of service. That's
why these filters must be replaced on a
regular basis.
Fuel Filters
The fuel filter is the fuel system's first line
of defense against contaminants that can
plug and wear fuel injectors, and cause
problems with the fuel pressure regulator
and pump. The fuel filter traps the
contaminants and prevents them from
circulating through the fuel system.
Most electronic fuel injection (EFI)
systems have a return line that routes
excess fuel from the engine fuel rail
back to the fuel tank. If the fuel filter
isn't doing its job and lets contaminants
through, the contaminants will continue
to recirculate through the fuel system.
Over time, this will accelerate wear in
the fuel pump, pressure regulator and
injectors.
Fuel injected engines require very
high efficiency filters that can trap debris
as small as 10 to 25 microns in size.
And on diesel engines where tolerances
are even tighter, some fuel filters trap
particles as small as a couple of microns
in size!
There is no standard location for the
fuel filter. It may be under the vehicle in
the fuel supply line between the fuel tank
continued on back
©2013 National Automotive Parts Association
Product Knowledge for NAPA
AUTO PARTS Store Employees
and engine, or it may be mounted on the
firewall in the engine compartment. On
many late model vehicles with "returnless"
fuel injection systems, a "lifetime" fuel
filter is located inside the fuel tank as part
of the fuel pump module assembly. These
have no scheduled service interval and are
usually only replaced if and when the fuel
pump is replaced.
In-line fuel filter replacement intervals
vary widely depending on year, make and
model, but are typically in the 30,000 to
50,000 mile range.
Many in-line filters are directional
with one port marked "in" and the other
marked "out," or an arrow showing the
direction the fuel flows. This is because
the filter contains a one-way pressure relief
valve that allows fuel to bypass the filter
media if the filter becomes restricted or
plugged. If the filter is installed backwards,
this valve won't work properly. Also, the
media may only be supported on the outlet
side. If installed backwards, the media
might be damaged by the surge in pressure
from the fuel pump.
Diesel fuel filters are different than
gasoline fuel filters in that most are also
designed to trap water as well as dirt. Diesel
injection pumps and fuel injectors have
extremely close tolerances and cannot
tolerate either dirt or water in the fuel. So
diesel filters typically trap particles as small
as 1 to 10 microns in size. Water causes
corrosion and reduces lubricity, and may
form ice crystals during cold weather. Diesel
fuel filters also separate water from the diesel
fuel. On some applications, a fuel/water
separator with a drain valve on the bottom
is used in conjunction with the regular fuel
filter to improve water removal even more.
Although a few vehicles (such as
Saturn) use an external spin-on style
transmission filter that is similar to an oil
filter, most have some type of flat panel
filter or screen inside the transmission
under the valve body. Changing the filter
requires draining the transmission and
removing the transmission pan.
Many replacement filters come with
a new pan gasket. If one is not provided,
your customer will also need a gasket.
RTV (Room Temperature Vulcanization)
silicone sealer should NOT be used to seal
the pan because excess RTV can get inside
the transmission and cause problems.
Transmission Filters
Related Sales:
il filter wrenches
O
Motor oil
ATF
Fuel system cleaner
Engine cleaner (top cleaner, crankcase
flush and/or external degreaser)
n Oil pan, transmission pan and valve
cover gaskets
n Other maintenance parts (spark plugs,
wires, belts, hoses)
n
n
n
n
n
Transmission filters are probably the most
neglected filter of all. Most late model
vehicles don't have a recommended service
interval for changing the transmission
fluid or filter, so nothing is done until the
transmission fails. Yet most transmission
experts say changing the fluid and
filter every 50,000 miles for preventive
maintenance can significantly prolong the
life of most automatic transmissions.
Review Questions November 2013
1. The "right" replacement filter for an
application is:
2. An anti-drainback valve in an
oil filter:
3. Odor/dust type cabin air filters should
be changed:
a. T he one listed for the year/make/
model/engine
b. A
filter that meets or exceeds OEM
specifications
c. A
filter that can handle extended
service intervals
d. All of the above
a. P
revents oil from draining out of
the filter
b. P
revents oil from draining out of
the oil pump
c. P
revents oil from draining out of
the oil pan
d. All of the above
a. Every 6 months or 6,000 miles
b. 12,000 to 15,000 miles or once a year
c. 20,000 to 30,000 miles or every two
years
d. Only as needed
Questions a Customer Might Ask About filters:
Q. I can't find a service interval for my
fuel filter. How often should I change it?
Q. If I change my transmission fluid, do I
also have to change the filter?
A. Silver filters are an economical choice
if you change oil every 3,000 miles. Gold
would be your choice if you are following
the OEM recommended service intervals.
Platinum is the best for extended service
intervals and synthetic oils.
A. It depends on what type of filter you
have. Most in-tank filters do not have a
recommended service interval. But if
your vehicle has an in-line filter, you
should probably change it every 30,000
to 50,000 miles.
A. It's a good idea to change both at the
same time for maximum protection.
Answers: 1. d, 2. a, 3. b
Q. What's the difference between
NAPA Silver, Gold and Platinum filters?
©2013 National Automotive Parts Association