The core difference lies in their ability to provide long-term engine protection and associated usage risks. Original filters act as a reliable "first line of defense" for the engine’s lubrication system, while inferior aftermarket ones may hidden troubles of malfunctions and ultimately increase maintenance costs in the long run.
1. Filtration Performance: Original Filters Capture Impurities Precisely; Inferior Ones Are Virtually Useless
Original filters: Adopt filter media that meets Dongfeng’s engine design standards. Both the pore density and filtration precision (typically filtering impurities of 20-30 microns) are tailored to the oil circulation needs. They can effectively trap metal shavings, dust, carbon deposits, and other impurities, preventing them from entering the engine and scratching cylinder walls or wearing bearings.
Inferior aftermarket filters: Mostly use low-quality non-woven fabrics or filter paper. The filter media has uneven pores and poor filtration precision, and may even fail to block large-particle impurities. These unfiltered impurities will circulate with the oil, wearing the engine’s core components and accelerating oil deterioration.
2. Structural Reliability: Original Filters Are Durable and Damage-Resistant; Inferior Ones Leak or Break Easily
Original filters: The outer casing is made of high-strength metal or engineering plastic. The sealing rubber ring uses oil-resistant and high-temperature-resistant rubber material, which can withstand the pressure (usually 2-5 bar) and temperature (up to over 120°C) during oil circulation. No casing cracking or rubber ring aging and leakage will occur during long-term use.
Inferior aftermarket filters: The outer casing is thin, brittle, and prone to deformation. The sealing rubber ring is mostly made of ordinary rubber, which hardens and cracks easily at high temperatures. During use, oil leakage may occur (leading to insufficient oil volume), or impurities may rush directly into the engine after the filter breaks, causing serious faults such as "cylinder scuffing" and "bearing seizure".
3. Service Life: Original Filters Match the Recommended Replacement Cycle; Inferior Ones Fail Prematurely
Original filters: Their designed service life is fully matched with the oil change cycle of Dongfeng trucks (usually 15,000-30,000 kilometers). They can maintain stable filtration performance throughout the entire cycle without the need for early replacement.
Inferior aftermarket filters: The filter media has poor dirt-holding capacity (unable to store a large amount of impurities). They usually get clogged after 5,000-8,000 kilometers of use, resulting in poor oil circulation and insufficient engine lubrication. If not detected in time, it will cause problems such as engine overheating and power loss.
4. Long-Term Cost: Original Filters Seem Expensive, but Inferior Ones Have Higher "Hidden Costs"
Original filters: Although the unit price is higher than that of inferior aftermarket ones, they can reduce the probability of engine failures and avoid maintenance caused by filter problems (such as replacing cylinders and bearings, which costs tens of thousands of yuan per repair). They are more cost-effective in the long run.
Inferior aftermarket filters: The initial unit price is low, but they may cause engine failures later. The maintenance cost is far higher than the price difference between the two types of filters, and they may even lead to premature engine scrapping, making them not worth the cost
