Oil Filters
About Oil Filters
The oil filter catches metal particles, soot and grit before the oil reaches the bearings, cylinder walls and valvetrain. A UTV or ATV that runs through dust, mud and water crossings loads its oil with debris quickly, which makes the filter the part you replace most often, at every oil change or at the interval in your owner's manual.
The first thing to settle is the design your engine uses. Some machines take a spin-on canister that screws onto the engine and is thrown away whole, while others use a cartridge element that sits in a housing behind a cover and is changed with a fresh O-ring. Filters are sold by application, and one listing can cover several makes, as the Honda, John Deere, Kawasaki and Polaris listing here shows, so match your model and year rather than going by looks. The part number printed on your old filter is a useful second check. Plan on fresh oil at the same time, and a new crush washer if your drain plug uses one.
Brands in this category include FRAM, Parts Unlimited, Fire Power, Twin Air and HiFloFiltro. Pick your machine in the Ride Finder at the top of the page to see filters listed for it, and read why a part does not fit before you order. For the other parts you touch at an oil change, see Oil Drain Plugs, Filler Caps & Dipsticks and Gaskets, Seals & Kits, both part of Engines & Engine Parts.
FAQs on UTV and ATV oil filters
What is the difference between a spin-on and a cartridge oil filter?
A spin-on filter is a sealed metal canister that screws onto the engine and is replaced as one piece. A cartridge filter is a paper element that drops into a housing in the engine and is held by a cover, usually with an O-ring to replace. Your engine is built for one type, so check which you have.
Do I change the oil filter every time I change the oil?
On most machines, yes. The old filter holds dirty oil and trapped debris, and leaving it in puts that back into fresh oil. Follow the oil and filter interval in your owner's manual, and shorten it if you ride in heavy mud, dust or deep water.
How tight should a spin-on oil filter be?
Hand tight, plus the fraction of a turn printed on the filter or given in your manual. Wipe a thin film of fresh oil on the rubber gasket first so it seats evenly. Overtightening can damage the gasket and makes the next filter hard to remove.
Can I use a different brand of oil filter than the original?
Yes, as long as the listing names your machine or confirms it matches the original filter's part number. Brand matters less than correct fit, because thread size, gasket size and internal valving are built for each engine.
How do I find the right oil filter for my ATV or UTV?
Start with the year, make and model, either in the Ride Finder or in your manual, which lists the filter part number. Compare that number with the listing. Machines from the same maker can use different filters from one model year to the next.
