I toyed with slapping this into care/main, or here.... Last Tuesday, when the sky became dark, the wolves began howling at noon and the owls began calling at 1 p.m. I figured the dense wildfire smoke might mean I might need some new car filters. I keep a couple of cabin filters on-hand at all times because of mice issues -- although since I have screened off approaches, not much of an issue now. But, thought engine air filters and as long as I was at it, might as well order oil filters. So, RockAuto's box arrived today. New Denso filters.....After the smoke clears, I am going to check all the filters and if any of them seem particularly dirty, I will replace. However, reading the boxes, Denso makes a big deal about replacing oil filters in "dirty environoments." I just replaced the oil in all my rigs about 1,000 miles ago. While I can SEE if air filters are dirty, any thoughts on early oil changes because of wildfire smoke -- for the past few days the levels of PM 2.5 have been between 420 to 575--- if you don't know what PM2.5 is this link will help. Fine Particles (PM 2.5) Questions and Answers Anyway, I have found lots of stuff about cars not having any issues running in wildfire smoke as long as you replace air filters when they begin to get dirty. But have read nothing about oil filters/oil changes. kris
What air gets into your crankcase through the ventilation hoses comes from downstream of the air filter anyway, so I think you're covered.
I believe the 'dirty environments' falls under the hard use oil change interval. So while very fine particles will get past the air filter, and some into the oil, it is something of concern when driving hundred to thousands of miles in those conditions; usually regular driving on dusty dirt roads.
+1 I think I recall reading one time where oil is blackened by dirt or dust contaminants that lead to a soot build up....so early oil discoloration might be an indicator. I always keep my maintenance periodicities on the severe duty schedule anyway...but yeah. Good thinking on air filters. If the air makes YOU cough and hack, then replacing air filters after people stop settin....er(*) I mean fires stop "happening" out there is a wise practice - especially the cabin air filter.
Apparently Vancouver, BC is the most air-polluted major city on the planet right now. Yeah, number one. Yesterday morning, sun's a no-show today:
What time was that shot taken ? Here's a couple of days ago at 10 AM in the Bay Area: The previous day at noon: At least we have better air quality now.
Around 9:30 am. The overly dark appearance is the phone camera's auto-exposure, it's really not that dark. Nearby hills are indistinct/misty. Air doesn't smell smokey though. Satellite pic shows the smoke pouring off the coast in Oregon and California, going waaay out into the Pacific, then coming back to the BC coast.
At least a few days back the winds were carrying the Cali and Oregon smoke way out into the Pacific, where it turned and came back ashore in Washington and BC.
Visibility in some spots this morning (9 a.m.) in Western Oregon, was down to 10 yards. In general, it was around 300 to 500 yards. I very slowly made it to a friends place in the Coos Bay area where I am staying until Friday.
Out of the Southwest here in my neck of the woods. Definitely helped. Hoping for a break from the smoke for a good bit.
A good block of that was later blown inland, to the northeast. Enough to get slightly less smokey are here for a while, but the limited amount of fresher air mostly blew over the top us, while the Puget Sound basin managed to keep most of its smoke in place. Some spotty rain cells didn't do much to wash it down. Today, weather radar revealed some offshore rain showers being driven from due south. But due south of us are those Oregon fires. Smoke here deteriorated a bit from yesterday. My solar system revealed a couple hours midday that produced the same as yesterday, but morning and later afternoon produced less than yesterday as heavier upper level particulates passed over.
