For generations, buying an oil filter for a car was a rarity. The concept simply hadn’t become essential yet, as early engines used crude, gravity-fed lubrication where bearings were bathed by oil that dripped from the sump and onto the floor. Environmental concerns were not a priority in those days.
Then a pivotal realization emerged: wasting motor oil so carelessly made little sense. The breakthrough came with American inventor Ernest Sweetland, the man who secured a patent for an industrial filter in 1907, aimed at prospectors and industrial users. By 1922 he secured a patent that emphasized not a device alone but a method to prevent wear in motor components, laying the groundwork for oil filtration in internal combustion engines. He faced legal battles over priority, but ultimately prevailed as the industry adopted his idea.
In the Zaporozhets lubrication system, oil was cleaned by a centrifuge at the end of the crankshaft, a setup that required disassembly and a thorough reassembly when maintenance was needed, a process that could be messy and time-consuming.
Several oil filter designs appeared as domestic cars evolved. In the heart of the country, models like the ZIL-130 truck and the famous ZAZ-965 used centrifugal cleaners, where large particles settled on a centrifuge. This approach was cheap, simple, and robust, but not highly refined.
The Volga M-21 and Moskvich-407 adopted two-stage filtration, combining a coarse full-flow filter with a fine, non-full-flow element. The coarse filter consisted of metal plates and star-shaped components that had to be manually rotated for cleaning, while the fine filter operated in parallel with a replaceable paper element. This system made sense when engine oils were changed frequently, for example every 2000–3000 km on the Volga GAZ-21, ideally with a cardboard element. Frequent changes could still be risky in later designs and conditions.
Volga GAZ-21 lubrication showed coarse and fine filtration in place.
Only as oils improved—becoming less viscous and more resistant to fading—did true full-flow filters emerge, capable of cleaning all oil passing through the line. Early versions used replaceable cartridges, as seen on the Volga GAZ-24 and Moskvich-412.
Alongside the Zhiguli, disposable metal-cased filters arrived in the country. They remain common, though some manufacturers, particularly European ones with stronger environmental policies, kept replaceable paper or synthetic cartridges that are easier to recycle. Brands like Opel, Mercedes, BMW, Peugeot have been cited in discussions about these engines.
Modern GM engines favor replaceable filter elements, which are friendlier to the environment but can be messier for hands and garage floors.
Purchasing an expensive oil filter can be a questionable use of money. In challenging operating conditions—urban traffic, off-road use, towing—the engine oil and its filter should be replaced more often than the standard schedule. Finding a truly high-quality filter from a trusted brand can be a challenge.
As a practical approach for mass-market cars, many owners rely on budget filters from reputable suppliers that, with periodic replacement, perform about as well as their pricier counterparts. An oil filter is a typical consumable item whose frequent replacement offers tangible benefits for the new owner.
Consequently, a broad range of car filters under the Za Rulem brand has become available. These are manufactured in well-regarded Russian facilities, offer solid quality, and are priced attractively thanks to streamlined logistics and favorable exchange rates.
A modern, affordable oil filter called Behind the Wheel is compatible with several Hyundai/Kia models, especially those with Gamma family engines displacing 1.4 or 1.6 liters. It suits G4FA, G4FC, G4FG engines in Solaris, Rio, Creta, Seltos, Elantra, i30, and Soul—and is even compatible with older Hyundai Accent and Getz vehicles.
Shoppers can select filters for their car and locate nearby dealers through the included distributor locator, with options designed to fit a wide range of contemporary and older models.