Oil filters

So, I've been using Napa gold and fram tough guard oil filters (ford ph8a) with amsoil or syntec oil.

Is there a far and better filter out there for me to use?

Anything but Fram (Honeywell) They really aren't very good.

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters/

I tend to use Purolator and occasionally K&N when they are available.

I think the fram delux (tough guard?) are probably OK, but I am still pissed that for decades fram told me (through their marketing) that their filters were super-fantastic, when they knew they were crap. Yeah, I hold a grudge.

Anyway, the Napa Gold are said to be WIX, which are good. I'll use a WIX filter when I have to. I generally use genuine Toyota OEM filters on everything, Harleys, Toyotas, Lotus, etc. The filter made for 22R engines fits about half the motors ever made. I just bought a case of them yesterday at $5 ea at the dealer.

Read the link, they aren't that great, they still use cardboard end plates with only slightly better internal features.

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters/reference.html#fram

I like the Mobil one filters. I don't know who makes them but they are at less 25% heavier than the same Fram filter.

The case is heavier and the rolled seam is about 2x a thick as the FRAM. I don't really know if they are good or bad but when I was purchasing a filter that was my choice all others were sold out.

I use mann or napa/wix usually.

NAPA Gold is the standard Wix. It's actually not suitable for extended oil change intervals (over 5K) because the filtering media starts to break down. If you want to run Amsoil or another full synthetic on high OCI's, you want a Wix XP, also sold as a NAPA Platinum. It's appropriate for up to a 15k mile OCI on some vehicles.

Stefan (Not Bruce) wrote: Anything but Fram (Honeywell) They really aren't very good. http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters/ I tend to use Purolator and occasionally K&N when they are available.

Honeywell owns them now too? Sheesh...

Javelin wrote: NAPA Gold is the standard Wix. It's actually not suitable for extended oil change intervals (over 5K) because the filtering media starts to break down. If you want to run Amsoil or another full synthetic on high OCI's, you want a Wix XP, also sold as a NAPA Platinum. It's appropriate for up to a 15k mile OCI on some vehicles.

That's good info. I've been using Wix filters for years and only recently saw the XP version. I had seen the platinum Napas though.

I've also been passing by the Wix factory for years in Gastonia and have noticed changes on the sign from time to time. Last time by they had added Mann and some other brand on the sign.

In reply to spitfirebill:

Yes, MANN bought them in January. Should be a great fit, though.

I've always used the Purilator Pure One filters. They're highly rated by people that seem to know what they're talking about. (I.e., bob is the oil guy) They have anti drain back valves like the Toyota factory filters. And I don't have to make a trip to the Lexus dealer to pick one up which is a plus.

I bought the Wix xp's from rock auto recently then I can buy them locally. That said, CarQuest brands were Wix but are transitioning to Baldwin. Thanks (un)Advance.....

In reply to Ranger50:

Baldwin filters are used extensively in the industrial vehicle/engine industry. I haven't seen anything that would make me think poorly of them.

In reply to HappyAndy:

It's not that I think they are bad, but with the switch some filter sizes change and not for the best. The 54052, PF63 interchange filter, is shorter in the new version vs the old one, which is just marginally longer then the stock PF48 to begin with.

As a Ford/Mazda guy, I only use Ford Motorcraft filters. Really very good filters, as good as any super-premium for half the money.

WildScotsRacing wrote: As a Ford/Mazda guy, I only use Ford Motorcraft filters. Really very good filters, as good as any super-premium for half the money.

I agree. A few years back, I started buying OEM-branded filters on eBay. I really don't know if they're better or worse than any aftermarket filter, but the price is about the same, so that's what I do.

Oils are better than ever, as are mechanical tolerances in engines. I think at this point there really aren't significan differences in filters, once you get above jobber/Fram level filters.

what's the consensus on the Bosch filters? My choices at Pepboys are Fram, Bosch, and Mobil1

So.....fram bad, Napa platinum good?

Fram filters cause every engine to fail. Haven't you seen the class action lawsuit? Bob Is The Website Guy has proven that a filter with paper media and cardboard end caps is junk because of the cardboard. All the OEM cars, trucks and tractors that come with Fram filters must be prone to early failure.

Seriously, give up the internet rumor that Fram is crap. You just prove you're gullible to internet rumors and that you, too are part of the problem.

I have no stake in Fram.

I use Napa Gold/Wix because they are the only filter I know of besides OEM that was specifically designed for the Skyactiv engine (it has no anti drainback valve, and there may be other differences too). 7500 miles with 0w-20 is the manual specified interval so that's what I do. There are other filters that fit but they are not specific to my car and given the miles, there's no savings to using another appropriate filter.

My dealer used non-OEM white box filters when I went there. That annoyed me.

When I had a car that didn't use something so specific, I would use Quaker State/STP/Fram/Pennzoil etc without any problems.

In reply to Kramer:

We have had one forum member that had a fram filter collapse and it caused his oil flow to get cut off. He posted pictures of the inside of the filter. It could have trashed his engine but fortunately he had an oil pressure gauge and noticed te poor pressure and shut the engine off in time.

So yes fram retail filters are crap that can trash engines.

The expensive Frams (the Ultra line) are very good filters. The cheap Frams are crap. They almost never fail in ways that would kill an engine (typical failure would just allow some non-filtered oil to circulate), but you can get better filters for the same price so there's no reason to use them.

NAPA/Wix is good. I'd hesitate to use Purolator other than their most expensive until enough people cut them open to determine if the cheaper ones still have media tearing issues after the re-design.

I use penzoil filters because i get then at cost and have had no issues. Only ever had one issue with fram and that one just split down the side.

Antihero wrote: So.....fram bad, Napa platinum good?

Pretty much, yes.

I have used Fram for nearly 30 years and have put well over 100k miles on my engines with no issues. We even used to run HP1's on our race car back in the day.