American drivers are holding onto their vehicles longer than ever. The average age of cars and light trucks on U.S. roads has now climbed to approximately 13 years, a record high and a significant jump from the roughly 8-year average seen three decades ago. For the aftermarket, this trend means one thing: replacement demand is shifting from new car purchases to maintenance and repair.
A growing number of drivers are taking oil changes into their own hands. A recent Circana survey found that 29% of consumers have switched from professional oil changes to DIY to save money, and retail sales of motor oil and filters have been rising in unit volume for the past two years.
But changing your own oil filter isn't as straightforward as it looks. Even experienced DIYers make mistakes that can lead to leaks, engine damage, or a messy driveway. Here are 5 common pitfalls to watch for.
1. Not Warming the Engine Before Draining
Cold oil is thick and drains slowly, leaving a significant amount of old, contaminated oil inside the engine. This residual dirty oil mixes with your fresh oil, reducing lubrication efficiency and accelerating engine wear.
The fix: Run the engine for 2–5 minutes before draining. You want the oil warm and flowing freely, but not at full operating temperature — hot oil can cause burns.
2. Forgetting to Lubricate the New Filter's Gasket
The rubber gasket on a new oil filter needs a thin coat of fresh oil before installation. Skip this step, and the gasket can stick, twist, or fail to seal properly, leading to leaks. This is one of the most overlooked steps.
The fix: Dip a finger in clean oil and smear a thin layer around the gasket before threading the filter on.
3. Overtightening the Filter or Drain Plug
"Tighter is safer" is a costly myth. Overtightening the oil filter makes it nearly impossible to remove next time — you may end up crushing it with a wrench. Overtightening the drain plug can strip the threads in your oil pan, an expensive repair.
The fix: Tighten the filter by hand only, until it contacts the mounting surface, then give it a small extra turn. For the drain plug, use a torque wrench if you have one — most require 25–35 Nm.
4. Prefilling the Filter Incorrectly (or Not at All)
Starting an engine with a completely dry filter means several seconds of oil starvation while pressure builds and the filter fills. This causes unnecessary wear on every start.
The fix: For screw-on canister filters, pour fresh oil into the filter until it's about two-thirds full before installation. For cartridge-style filters, this step isn't possible — but it's another reason to warm the engine properly so oil circulates quickly.
5. Reusing the Drain Plug Washer
The copper or aluminum crush washer on your drain plug is a single-use item. Once compressed, it loses its ability to seal. Reusing it is a common cause of slow drips that stain driveways and leave oil levels low over time.
The fix: Always replace the washer with every oil change. It costs pennies and prevents a much bigger headache.
Why This Matters for Filter Buyers
For distributors and retailers in the U.S. aftermarket, the DIY trend is a sales opportunity. But it also raises the bar for product quality. A filter that seals properly, resists overtightening damage, and maintains filtration efficiency over extended drain intervals earns repeat customers. That's exactly what LANTU filters are built to deliver.
About LANTU:
Hebei Lantu Technology Co., Ltd. is a manufacturer specializing in automotive filters, including oil filters, air filters, fuel filters, and cabin filters, exported to aftermarket customers worldwide.
