What cars use cartridge oil filters?
Yes. In modern cars, cartridge oil filters are widely used across many brands; to confirm for your model, check the owner's manual or the engine’s service manual.
The question of which cars use cartridge oil filters depends on the engine family and year. Cartridge-style designs have become common because they allow smaller, quieter housings and easier replacement of just the filter element. This article explains what cartridge filters are, which brands commonly use them in current models, how to identify them on your vehicle, and what to expect during maintenance.
What cartridge oil filters are
A cartridge oil filter is a replaceable filter element housed inside a fixed oil-filter canister or housing mounted on the engine. When you change the oil, you typically replace only the internal filter element (or the cartridge) inside the housing, rather than removing and replacing a whole exterior canister. This differs from traditional spin-on filters, where the entire outer shell is replaced along with the filter media.
Brands and engines that commonly use cartridge filters
Below is a representative, non-exhaustive overview of brands and engine families where cartridge-style oil filters are common in recent years. Exact configurations vary by year and market, so always verify for your specific model.
- Toyota and Lexus: Many contemporary engines use a cartridge-style filter inside a fixed housing.
- Honda: Numerous newer engines employ a cartridge-style filter within a housing.
- Hyundai and Kia: A large share of recent engines use cartridge filters in fixed housings.
- Volvo, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Volkswagen: These brands have shifted toward cartridge-style designs on many modern engines.
- Subaru: Several newer engines use cartridge-style oil filters.
In practice, the exact filter type depends on the engine family and production year. Always verify by checking the service manual or inspecting the engine’s oil-filter housing.
How to identify a cartridge oil filter on your vehicle
Use these checks to confirm whether your engine uses a cartridge filter and to prepare for service.
- Look at the oil filter housing under the hood: a fixed canister with a removable head or cap typically indicates a cartridge inside; you replace the internal element rather than the entire canister.
- Consult the owner's or service manual: it will explicitly state if the engine uses a cartridge-type or a spin-on oil filter.
- Ask a parts counter or check official diagrams using your engine code or VIN: diagrams label cartridge oil filters versus spin-on filters.
- Observe the service procedure: an oil change involves unfastening the housing cap and replacing the internal filter element, not a full outer shell.
These indicators will help you determine the correct replacement approach for your vehicle.
Maintenance considerations
Cartridge filters can offer cost and waste advantages since you replace only the consumable filter media. Some designs require careful handling of O-rings during disassembly and reassembly, and it’s important to use the correct torque on the housing cap and to replace all seals with the proper parts. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended oil grade and filter part number for your engine.
Summary
Cartridge oil filters are the prevailing design in many modern engines across several major brands, including Toyota/Lexus, Honda, Hyundai/Kia, Volvo, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi/Volkswagen, and Subaru. The exact filter type—cartridge versus spin-on—depends on the specific engine and model year. To know for sure, consult the owner’s manual, service manual, or a parts diagram for your exact vehicle. As a rule of thumb, newer engines tend to use cartridge filters housed in a fixed assembly, while older designs often use spin-on filters.
