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AARC Ride for the Future Heads to Antelope Canyon
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By Counterman
As an industry, we sell and install a LOT of oil filters. The City of San Diego estimates that number at roughly 425 million filters nationwide each year. From DIYers to professional service shops, that means literally TONS of waste generated annually. The recyclable steel alone adds up to 160 million tons, and nearly 20 million gallons of residual waste oil is trapped in those used filters.
Most of those filters are still of the spin-on canister type, but cartridge filters have been gaining popularity among OEMs over the past two decades. Surprisingly, the idea of engine oil filtration is only a century old, with the first commercial oil filter debuting in 1923. With a cloth media placed inside a steel container, it was essentially a cartridge filter. Cellulose paper eventually replaced the cloth media, often with metal caps and center cores adding support to the pleated element. Compared to the cartridges on our shelves today, they were bulky and less efficient, but provided added protection for those vehicles that used a filter at all. Oil filters were not a standard feature on many vehicles, even into the late 1960s, and air-cooled VW Beetles utilized a metal “strainer” rather than a disposable filter element up through 1979.
The spin-on filter we know today was not invented until the mid-1950s, but the ease and convenience of the design meant it would quickly become an industry standard for another 50 years. As environmental concerns began to dictate many OEM manufacturing and engineering decisions, increased oil change intervals and a shift toward lightweight materials led to the resurgence of the cartridge filter. Synthetic filter media now allows for increased efficiency and longer service life, and the use of non-metallic structural materials decreases overall weight and reduces material costs. Recycling used oil filters continues to be an environmental issue, with residual oil being the most difficult element to recover. It can account for up to 45% of the weight of a used oil filter.
Cartridge filters may be the future of LOF service, but there are a few drawbacks as we transition toward that future. Where the spin-on canister filter is a self-contained disposable unit, cartridge filters live inside a permanent housing which is susceptible to damage during service. Open the filter package and you will likely discover one or more O-ring seals, indicating that there will also be “some assembly required.” Accessing the filter element often requires the use of a specialty socket to unscrew the housing cap. The O-ring(s) must be replaced to ensure proper sealing and prevent future leakage. This adds extra steps (and time) to an already low-profit service, and introduces more potential for errors. Like an oil pan drain plug, these caps also have specific torque specs that are often ignored by DIYers (and some hurried technicians), leading to leakage, and potentially damaged caps or housings.
The housing design itself may also become an issue when cataloging filters, caps and associated components. GM 1.4L and 1.8L engines are one of the most commonly miscatalogued modern filters, with some featuring housings supplied by Hengst, and others by UFI. These housings and filters are fundamentally different, and are NOT interchangeable. The Hengst housing features an integrated bypass valve, and the OEM cap is made of black plastic. The UFI design relies on a bypass valve built into the filter element, and the OEM caps were brown in color. Note that aftermarket caps might not have the correct color plastic, or the OE supplier’s name. When in doubt, check the aluminum housing itself, or compare the filters before installation.
The Chrysler 3.6L engine is another “problem child” when it comes to the filter housing. The OE plastic housing design is prone to fluid leaks from the base gaskets, and cracking when the cap is overtorqued. The aftermarket was quick to engineer an upgraded aluminum housing, which solves many of the design flaws of the original. Vehicle applications from 2011 through 2013 use the Mopar MO744 equivalent filter. For 2014 to present, the housing was redesigned, and features a longer MO349 equivalent filter. Many aftermarket versions are available to fit either housing design, but some require use of the newer-style filter for all years. Verify the model year as well as the originality of the housing, especially for the earlier applications.
Oil filters aren’t the only application for cartridge-style elements. While fuel filters are rapidly becoming obsolete in gasoline applications, modern diesel fuel and water separator filters are shifting toward cartridge designs, and there are now a dozen or so global transmissions featuring cartridge filtration. This change benefits the environment, reduces the processing challenges and volume of shop waste, and will eventually drive down individual filter pricing as these elements become the rule rather than the exception. The future of filtration is looking
pretty bright!
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By Counterman
The automotive aftermarket often celebrates its long and historic legacy—manufacturers that engineer solutions, distribution channels that crisscross the country, parts stores and repair shops that keep America moving. Today, the aftermarket is paving the foundation of a new legacy—dreaming up innovation in new and existing powertrains, leveraging digitally driven solutions and forging stronger relationships. This year’s Road to AAPEX traverses the crossroads where history meets ingenuity to drive the industry down the road toward its future legacy.
Babcox Media’s Joe Keene, an ASE-certified technician, navigates the automotive aftermarket landscape, starting at the Crawford Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. A location rich in automotive history, the Crawford Museum displays a parallel path between early automotive designs and modern vehicles that shows off the continuous advancements that have shaped the industry.
Meanwhile, David Sickels, Babcox Media editor, will delve into the aftermarket and the significant contributions of independent companies within the supply chain. He’ll travel the country to chart the history of the aftermarket, the key players, and the processes involved in manufacturing automotive parts. He will interview key figures in the industry and examine the processes that bring aftermarket parts from conception to market, providing valuable insights into the operational aspects and historical development of the aftermarket sector.
Then there’s Babcox Media’s Scott Shriber, automotive aftermarket guru, who will focus on the logistics and distribution chains that deliver parts to local technicians and repair shops. He’ll explore the history of parts distribution, tracing its growth and evolution into the complex system it is today while providing a detailed look at how distribution networks have adapted to meet increasing demand and technological advancements, ensuring parts are delivered efficiently and reliably.
Of course, it all ends where the rubber meets the road—the hard-working automotive repairs shops that put the parts and solutions to work to get customer vehicles back on the road. Joe Keene will take us on a tour of the automotive aftermarket front line to talk with shop owners and technicians about how they’re innovating within their own businesses to keep America moving.
Watch the video for a deeper understanding of the industry’s dynamics and the factors that drive its continuous evolution. Be sure to stay tuned for more episodes of Road to AAPEX.
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By Counterman
The future of the automotive aftermarket shines brightly, and AAPEX is at the forefront of this evolution. As vehicles log more miles and integrate increasingly complex electronics, the landscape of parts and repairs is diversifying. AAPEX research highlights that new products are the primary draw for attendees, making this conference a vital event for staying informed and competitive.
The aftermarket is uniquely positioned to benefit from both internal combustion engines and electric vehicles (EVs). Attending AAPEX provides automotive professionals with the latest insights and innovations from industry leaders and the ability to check out cutting-edge products and solutions, helping you stay ahead of industry trends and capitalize on new opportunities.
Don’t miss the chance to connect with experts, discover new technologies, and ensure your business thrives in this dynamic market. AAPEX is your gateway to the future of the automotive aftermarket.
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