What is the first step when installing a new spin-on filter?

Filling the spin-on filter with oil before installation is a standard practice for several important reasons. When the filter is filled, it helps to ensure that oil flows immediately throughout the system when the engine is started. This reduces the risk of damage due to insufficient lubrication during the initial moment after the engine is turned on. By having oil in the filter, it can also assist in preventing a dry start, which can occur when the engine tries to pump oil through the system while the filter is still empty.

While other steps, like inspecting the old filter for debris or applying sealant to the gasket, are also important in the overall process of changing a filter, they come after this initial step of pre-filling the filter. Torque specifications and proper sealing are critical during the final stages of installation, but they do not address the immediate performance and protection of the engine upon startup.