These Shavings Can Potentially Ruin Your Life (and How to Protect Yourself)

What you’re looking at is something that can ruin your life. And no, before you get any silly ideas, this isn’t the close up of someone’s pubes. Instead, what you’re looking at are fine metallic particles that shave off tiny bits of your engine one revolution at a time.

When car buyers look for better engine protection, the first (and likely, the only thing) in their mind is going for Grade A motor oil. And while the benefits of a good motor oil are well-documented, this is just a part of the puzzle. What if we tell you that you’ve been overlooking an important part of your engine—one that could use an upgrade as well?

What is this part? It’s the engine oil filter.

As far as engine upgrades go, oil filters aren’t necessarily the sexiest mod out there. That said, it plays an important role in keeping the engine free from contaminants that can accumulate over time. See, if engine oil is left unfiltered, it could become saturated with tiny, hard particles that can wear the surfaces of your engine, like in the lead photo above.

Despite its crucial role in protecting the engine, it’s funny (and surprising) how oil filter technology hasn’t changed for some time. The typical design uses a synthetic fiber that traps metal particles, and that’s about it. As the filter gets clogged, they’re replaced at fixed intervals.

Realizing that this sort of protection doesn’t go far enough, the boys at PIAA has come up with the Twin Power Oil Filter.

Aesthetically, it looks like any oil filter, but there are big differences inside.

First up, an enlarged oil inlet port achieves 170 percent better engine oil flow compared to an OE filter. This reduces the risk of power loss, even when the engine oil or oil filter’s nearing the end of usable service life.

Next is its proprietary two-layer filtration system (20 microns and 10 microns) that balances both flow and filtration, achieving 150 percent better filtration than the standard OE filter.

Finally, sandwiching the two filter elements is a high-power 1,000 gauss magnet. Capable of working in excess of 300 degrees Celsius (or hotter than the operating temperature of a car’s engine), it traps any metal debris that finds its way into the filter rather than allowing it to simply pass through right back into the engine.

With all the added benefits, it’s a pleasant surprise to know that the PIAA Twin Power Oil Filter won’t break the bank. Its prices start at a reasonable P 980—similar to prices the casas charge you with. And even if you find its less-than-a-thousand-peso pricier than your current non-name filter, just look at the lead photo again to remind you that these metallic particles are currently floating in your engine oil just waiting to create a mess. You surely want to stay protected, right? Right?

The Made in Japan PIAA Twin Power Oil Filter is now available with mostly Japanese fitments (European, American, Korean not so much). For availability and pricing, contact PIAA Philippines through their official Facebook page or drop them a text at +63 917 5754812.

Castrol Activ Provides 24/7 Motorcycle Engine Protection

Castrol Philippines launches a specially formulated motorcycle engine oil that provides maximum protection regardless of use: Castrol Activ.

“The number of motorcycle users in the Philippines has grown over the years, and we at Castrol, are fully committed to providing our consumers with more specialized products to suit their changing needs,” said Maria Tañada, Castrol Philippines Country Manager.

Thanks to improved Actibond molecules, Castrol Activ provides 24/7 protection across all three stages of the ride: startup, the ride itself, and engine switch off.

During startup, where most engine wear occurs, Castrol Activ lessens the risk of wear and tear of vital engine components by 75 percent. During the ride, the Actibond molecules fight against the buildup of deposits, promoting maximum engine cleanliness and reducing piston wear for a smoother running engine. Finally, as the engine is switched off, the Actibond molecules cling on to engine parts to protect from corrosion due to humidity.

Castrol Activ is tailored fit for the resilient Filipino rider, giving them the superior all-day engine protection they need, on and off the road.

“Inspired by the hardworking Filipino, Walang Bibitaw is our strongly held philosophy that drives us towards empowering riders with the means to protect what matters most. Whether they’re riding alone or with their loved ones, Castrol Activ is a reliable partner that ensures their motorcycle engine is always protected and ready for the road ahead,” said Tañada. “Today, riders can gain 24-hour maximum engine protection thanks to Castrol Activ’s improved Actibond formulation.”

According to the Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association Inc., there were 1,580,926 units of motorcycles sold in 2018, a 21 percent increase from the 1.3 million units sold the previous year. The spike in numbers, combined with challenging road and environmental conditions that riders and their bikes face every day, calls for products that offer greater engine protection prompting Castrol Philippines to introduce Castrol Activ motorcycle engine lubricants into the country.

Motul 300V vs 8100: What's the Difference?

This is one of the most frequently asked question of any car owner. When it comes to picking the right Motul engine oil, which is better suited for my car: the 300V or 8100?

Both are 100 percent synthetic engine oils, synthesized and produced free of any mineral or crude oils. This ensures that Motul can control the quality of every drop of oil in the bottle, as opposed to having to refine the quality of mineral base oils.

Now, as Motul’s top-of-the-line, full synthetic racing engine oil, 300V is their most well-known product. But while 300V is cutting-edge stuff (and you can certainly use it in every application) it doesn’t mean you should do so. When it comes to protecting the engine, sometimes it’s not really the case of which is “best,” but rather, which is most suitable.

The most important thing to know is that 300V is truly a racing oil. Mechanics at the Dakar Rally or Le Mans endurance race pour it into the competition vehicles they service, and it’s the exact same stuff you can buy off the shelf at your Motul dealer or service provider.

Racing oils provide the same things that ‘street’ (or regular) oils do: Improve power, protect the engine, and improve the reliability and longevity of components. 300V is a very specific product, and there are even different formulations for different racing applications, from sprint races to endurance rallies.

300V does its job well, but unlike 8100, it’s designed, as is typical of a racing lubricant, to have a more frequent replacement interval than a street oil like 8100. 8100, as a high-quality lubricant, can be changed at your car’s stated service intervals while 300V would require replacing far sooner for the optimum performance.

So, besides those with actual racing cars, who should use 300V? Avid motorsport enthusiasts whose vehicle are in a high state of tune or which are used regularly at track days or sporting events such as time attacks, gymkhana, or drag races. And that’s not to say 8100 can’t do it either, those who attend occasional track days but do a majority of driving on normal roads will find 8100 up to the task.