UFI has issued some useful advice on the importance of correct oil filter maintenance and why regular filter changes are vital. 

Oil filters remove impurities and particles of dirt present in the engine oil in order to keep the engine clean and correctly lubricated. Without an oil filter, dirt particles created by the movement of mechanical parts, as well as deteriorated or poor-quality oil, could lead to rapid damage to the engine, reducing its lifespan and increasing the chance of breakdowns. 

The filter also plays a fundamental role in protecting the component parts of the engine from corrosion and the management of the operating temperature, in order to prevent overheating. 

Every oil filter has limited durability and must be changed regularly to guarantee efficient engine operation. Most vehicle manufacturers recommend changing the oil filter every 15,000 km for petrol engines, and every 25/30,000 km for diesel engines, or with every oil change. Frequency can be higher in extreme conditions and older vehicles. 

Signs that an oil filter may need replacement include;  stains under the vehicle, engine overheating,  excessive oil consumption and illumination of the oil pressure warning light.

When changing the oil filter, UFI recommends a trusted professional garage that uses OE-equivalent spare parts, such as those in the UFI Aftermarket catalogue. UFI Filters supplies two types of oil filters: oil filter cartridges and spin-on oil filters.

Oil filter cartridges are found inside a complete aluminium or plastic module. They are the most ecological solution, as they are composed only of a central structure made of recyclable plastic, around which the filter media is wrapped, held by two plates. UFI Filters develops filter media and manufactures them internally according to specific formulations named FormulaUFI. This is further subdivided in to two categories. 

FormulaUFI.Micron is a synthetic fibre compound which guarantees the highest levels of efficiency and is suitable for modern Euro 6D Final engines. 

FormulaUFI.CELL is a material made from cellulose combined with synthetic fibres to maximise the retention capacity and pressure resistance. 

External spin-on filters are generally composed of an outer metal structure in which the filter material is located, therefore the most traditional and long-standing filtration solution. They have a threaded end for coupling to the engine, generally near the lubrication pump. 

UFI filters are available from stockist nationwide.