How Often Should You Change Your Oil Filter?
Your Nissan was engineered to run beautifully between oil changes, which should happen approximately every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. In general, experts recommend that you get a new oil filter every time you change your Nissan's oil. After all, why go in there twice? By doing the oil and filter change at the same time, you'll help ensure your vehicle' oil filter doesn't get bogged down with contaminants and carbon dust between oil changes.
Keep in mind that there are situations that call for an oil filter change ahead of schedule. If you drive in extreme conditions – like scorching or freezing temperatures or heavy, stop-and-start traffic – you may need to change both your oil and filter more often. Factors like the age, model, and powertrain of your Nissan, as well as the type of motor oil you're using, all play a role in how often you need to change your oil and replace your oil filter.
Signs You Might Have a Dirty Oil Filter
It's also important to keep an eye out for a few telltale dirty oil filter symptoms. If you notice that your vehicle is less responsive when you press on the gas, hear sputtering, grinding, or metallic sounds coming from the engine, or see dark smoke coming from your tailpipe, a clogged filter might be the reason. Additionally, if your Nissan's “Check Engine” or oil pressure light comes on, it may be a sign that there's too much gunk and grime in your oil. Replacing the oil and the oil filter is a good (and affordable) place to start troubleshooting.
Can a Dirty Oil Filter Cause Low Oil Pressure?
You may not notice a dip in the quality of your Nissan's ride, but neglecting to change your oil filter can have some serious repercussions on its engine. If your Nissan's low oil pressure light comes on, it means something is inhibiting the flow of oil into the engine. A bad oil filter might be the culprit. This is not a light to ignore. When oil isn't flowing freely throughout your engine, unlubricated parts of the engine can come into contact with each other, quickly resulting in serious engine damage.
Additionally, a clogged oil filter means oil is no longer being thoroughly filtered. As your Nissan's oil gets dirtier, it slowly turns to sludge that builds up in the engine and can cause a host of issues. An engine full of thick, contaminated sludge has to work a lot harder than one full of clean oil. When your engine works harder, it shows. (Think premature engine wear and overheating.) You might also find yourself needing to fill up at the gas station more often than usual. Skipping a simple and quick filter change can result in complete engine failure.
Get a Quality-Tested Nissan Oil Filter
The good news is that replacing a dirty oil filter – and preventing the potential problems it can cause – is not a massive undertaking. Whether you go the DIY route or take your Nissan into a local service center for an oil and filter change, you can rest assured that it will be a straightforward task with genuine Nissan parts, created to help keep your vehicle running great.
Regularly replacing your oil and oil filter is one of the best ways to keep your Nissan engine performing as intended. Order a custom-made, quality-tested Nissan oil filter and all oil components online today, or schedule an oil and filter change at your local Nissan service center.