Do synthetic oils require a special filter?

March 2, 2012

According to oil filter manufacturer Purolator, synthetic oils are promoted by manufacturers of motor oils as having longer life. In fact, makers of many newer cars are now specifying that synthetic oils be used, and many more car owners are opting to use synthetic oil in their cars and SUVs. Yet, when it’s time to change the oil, many car owners are unsure as to whether they need a special oil filter with synthetic oils.

“All of the oil filters we market today are fully compatible with synthetic oils,” says Chuck Kerrigan, director of marketing for Purolator. “Our PureONE and Purolator Classic include media and other materials that are engineered to work with all synthetic oils marketed in North America today.”

However, if a motorist’s intention is to stretch out the oil change interval to take advantage of the benefits promised by the suppliers of synthetic engine oils, then it’s important to select an oil filter that matches and offers expanded capacity and efficiency to safely capture and hold the additional contaminants that will accumulate over longer time periods.

Purolator says its synthetic oil is based on cutting-edge technology. The recently introduced Purolator Synthetic oil filter family has been designed for longevity from the ground up. It utilizes 100% synthetic media with pleat support technology containing wire backing. Purolator Synthetic has substantially greater ability than conventional oil filters to capture and safely hold more contaminants generated over the extended life of synthetic oils without getting clogged. It is especially designed to work well on today’s high-tech engines, according to Kerrigan.

Purolator Synthetic features 99% efficiency, which means that it can capture and safely hold 99% of particulates 25 microns in size or larger. A micron is a millionth of a meter.

It is this combination of capacity and efficiency, along with innovative design technology, that maintains the integrity of the media for extended periods of time.

“In addition, all Purolator oil filters – PureOne, Classic, and Synthetic, incorporate materials that are fully compatible with all synthetic oils that meet the API and SAE standards as specified by virtually all automakers,” explains Kerrigan. “We have done extensive testing to assure that all of our canisters, sealing rings, bypass valves, anti-drainback valves, binders, and other materials are unaffected by the chemistry in synthetic oils. So motorists can choose any of our oil filters based on their needs and budgets,” he said.

According to Kerrigan, “All of these features make Purolator Synthetic a 10,000-mile filter for motorists that are using synthetic motor oils in their vehicles, and PureOne and Classic appropriate choices for any car,” he says.

For more information visit www.purolatorautofilters.com.