So, you’re in the market for an oil filter for your diesel equipment and wondering whether or not you should spring for “extended life” filters. Are they worth it, or is it all just marketing?

 

Well, the short-and-sweet answer is that you often get what you pay for, so we want to address a few of the main questions you might have about diesel equipment filters. More specifically, we’ll be exploring the world of diesel lube filters and the reasons why extended-life filters are worth the investment.

 

An extended life oil/lube filter is exactly what it sounds like—a filter that is specially designed for a longer lifespan than a conventional filter. They’re usually made with advanced materials that are capable of increasing filtration, extending service intervals, and keeping engines running.

In fact, “quality filtration is the best safeguard against unplanned downtime,” as described in this Fleet Equipment article. Not only that, but with the increasing complexity of modern engines and the equipment they power, troubleshooting becomes more difficult. When you can quickly eliminate the lube filter as the source of trouble, you can move on to further diagnostic checks and ultimately minimize unplanned downtime.

There’s no cut-and-dry, technical answer to this question, especially when you consider the unique needs of different types of equipment. For example, diesel equipment that travels on roads (like semi or dump trucks) measures a filter’s lifespan by miles, while construction equipment and other machinery instead go by operational hours.

Yes! Especially when there aren’t readily-available standards defining “extended life,” brands absolutely matter. Purchasing filters made by companies you trust is the best way to know you’re truly getting the type of filter that’s going to last.

Fleetguard’s family of products—including high-quality air, lube, and fuel filters for diesel equipment—are made with innovative materials that provide the longest service intervals available on the market. When you install Fleetguard extended service filters, you can rest assured that you’re going to get an excellent lifespan out of them. And with FleetguardFITTM Filtration Intelligence Technology, you can monitor real-time status updates so you can base service intervals and other maintenance decisions on real-world conditions, maximizing filters’ lifespans.

 

It is inadvisable to reuse an oil or lube filter—even one that promises extended life. They’re not designed for re-use; rather, they’re simply designed for extended use. Among the key drawbacks of using the same oil filter twice would be unpredictability. Even if you clean a used filter to the best of your ability, it will never truly be “like new.” While reusing a filter won’t necessarily wreak havoc on your equipment, you simply can’t be sure it is performing as it did when new—and it may not last for an entire second service interval.

Instead of reusing an old oil filter, you’re much better off buying an extended life filter from a reputable manufacturer—one that offers a range of diesel equipment filters and a robust warranty. While many vendors will claim to have the best warranties in the business, Fleetguard offers full warranty protection from the point of purchase all the way through the product’s recommended service life.

So, at the end of the day, is an extended life oil filter worth it? Our answer, without hesitation, is a resounding yes! Especially for diesel equipment, spending a little bit more on a high-quality, extended-life filter is a simple decision that pays off. They save both time and money, while offering reliable and efficient protection against unnecessary engine wear and tear.

And Fleetguard products are built by the best—meaning decades of experience and a history of innovation—and backed by the best warranty in the industry. Learn more about our filters or search for a dealer in your area today!