The thing is, there are manufactures that recommend against it, no one that makes engines, or filters recommends it be done, so I guess everyone that fills them is going against what the people that manufacture the engines, and filters say, is proper protocol.
I was the messenger, I found a man that makes his living as a mechanic that spoke about it in his videos, and gave his reasons. (I wonder if any of the objectors actually watched the video I linked to). I think the reasons are valid, especially since I made my living as a mechanic for 55 years doing what he does. I think in that time period I have seen many more circumstances that the prefill isn't needed, and in certain scenarios could cause damage.
Just as he said, in his comments section, every time he shows not prefilling a filter on his videos, the comment section goes crazy, well from this experience, he is 100% right.
Same deal when I mention reasons for using a by pass oil filter, the place erupts, I have to laugh at how triggered certain people are over such a small thing....
Funny thing is, I never ever have said that not using a by pass oil filter will ruin your engine. That's been quoted many time by the detractors, but in truth, I never said it. I did say that there are 2 ways to achieve avoiding the concentration of sub 40 micron particulate in an engine. One is to keep flushing it with fresh oil at short intervals, which I find costly in my wallet, and in my time. The other is to filter it out for long periods and extend oil life, as well as engine life. I do have vehicles that don't have by pass filters on them, so until I install them, I keep changing oil frequently. Ideally all my vehicles will have by pass filters on them, at some point. If the statement were true about ruining an engine without the installation of a by pass filter, I would have every vehicle in my fleet, but I don't.
Having many years racing, and building engines for dirt track cars I can say that the fine particulate that is so easily dismissed here as benign, is anything but. It will ruin a race engine in one outing.
If you ever knew anyone that has raced dirt track cars the meticulous maintenance of the engines is paramount to keeping them in one piece, and extend their life. Looking back I could have saved a whole lot of engines had I had a by pass filter on them.
So say what you want about the fine matter that gets in the oil, it does cause premature wear if left in the oil. And it enters constantly through any, and all air filters. It will pass through paper filters as well as oil gauze filters, there is no air filter I'm aware of that stops it, and it wears the upper rings out first, then descends into the oil sump to cause more wear on internal parts. It does a number on rings, piston skirts, and cylinders, and it is microscopic for the most part.
My 05 GTO oil was changed over 5 years ago, and is nearing 60,000 miles on the last oil change, at 5000 mile intervals, I saved 12 oil changes. For those that don't know, late model GTOs have a skid plate under the oil pan that has to be removed to change oil and filter, its a royal PITA, especially without a lift.
You pick your method, the later is more efficient, and it doesn't just add one more life cycle to engines, it may add as much as 8 lifetimes. It's also cheaper over the long run, time and, money savings. Engines with by pass filters can achieve a million miles fairly easily, and save labor and parts. so the quote that it may pickup from 200,000 with only a full flow filter, to 250,000 with a by pass filter, isn't true. At a minimum it should easily double the life of an engine. GM, and SAE have done tests to confirm that statement, it's not an internet fact.
Same thing with prefilling oil filters, your car your choice. I was just the messenger that pulled the trigger, and it was a hair trigger....
I guess I need a disclaimer on oil and oil filter subjects, here it is:
YMMV....
Have a nice day!!!