Cleanable Heavy Duty Oil Filters for Trucks and Buses

Environmental concerns over disposable oil filters impact engine oil filter selection for over-the-road trucks and buses. Fleets are extending oil drain intervals and considering alternatives to traditional spin-on filters in an attempt to reduce the costs associated with filter service and disposal. Alternatives to spin-ons, such as screen type separators, are inadequate in terms of particle removal efficiency and contaminant holding capacity. Further, these alternatives typically cost 20 to 40 times more than spin-on filters and are difficult to service. This paper discusses a new line of cleanable, high performance spin-on oil filters. Laboratory tests show that these reusable filters meet or exceed efficiency and capacity specifications set by engine manufacturers. These filters can be cleaned at the normally scheduled service interval without special tools and without removing the filter from the engine. Cleanable filters were tested in the field on over-the-road trucks and on city buses. The results show that these filters, when cleaned at the normally scheduled oil change intervals, keep oil as clean or cleaner than other high performance filters and that oil life could be doubled. Thus, these filters are expected to significantly reduce maintenance costs.