High Efficiency Oil Filters

The Office of Pollution Prevention and Technology Development is conducting a demonstration study of High Efficiency Oil (HEO) Filters. The filters have been installed on 100 State vehicles and are being monitored for one year to demonstrate their benefits. The filters continuously clean the engine oil by filtering a side stream to a higher degree than a standard oil filter, which allows the useful life of the oil to be extended several times. As shown in a previous study, use of these filters results in savings on oil purchase costs, while achieving a significant reduction in waste oil generation.

Big trucks; big filters; big savings.

Oil monitoring shows HEO filters keep oil clean & extend change intervals.

The project has already completed the following:

• Literature review
• Survey results
• Take the survey!
• Focus groups
• Vehicle Selection and Filter Installation
• Independent Filter Testing Results  NEW! 
• Press Release/Presentations   

Work items in progress:

• Laboratory Results

The study includes a wide range of vehicle types such as passenger cars, medium sized trucks and vans, larger heavy-duty trucks, and off-road equipment. Filter designs from several manufacturers have been selected. The variety of filters and vehicles chosen for the demonstration project show their wide applicability. The filters and oil monitoring have been provided at no cost to the State fleet, and at the conclusion of the study the filters will remain in service. The California Integrated Waste Management Board is partially funding the study.

Adoption of this technology by both government and private fleets should produce significant savings. These filters will help reduce environmental impacts from waste oil, and they can help California businesses be more profitable.