does getting 1 oil filter over another one really matter?

[holden j caufield]

I think Mobil 1 or the Honda s2k filters are usually moreexpensive than the $2 fram oil filter but I think it's kind of a gimmick.

 

[Atheus]

The more expensive ones are definately better. Whether that makes a difference to performance or reliability I have no idea. It would make a difference if you didn't change the oil or if something out of the ordinary got into the engine.

 

[her209]

I hear its better not to change the oil filter too often because new filters cannot filter as efficiently due to the larger pores.

 

[mattocs]

I will only use the fancy Purolator ones in my Outback. I use whatevers cheap in the wifes Hyundai.

 

[Kalvin00]

Fram uses cardboard in their filters.

Ask yourself....what place does cardboard have inside your engine?

 

[potato28]

Originally posted by: Kalvin00
Fram uses cardboard in their filters.

Ask yourself....what place does cardboard have inside your engine?

The box it came from.

 

[feralkid]

Originally posted by: her209
I hear its better not to change the oil filter too often because new filters cannot filter as efficiently due to the larger pores.

Who told you that?

 

[Dr. Detroit]

It's all about flow. Fram is one of the worst brands for flow.

Motorcraft filters by Ford are excellent for flow. I hear K&N are superior to Mobil 1.

 

[XZeroII]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
It's all about flow. Fram is one of the worst brands for flow.

Motorcraft filters by Ford are excellent for flow. I hear K&N are superior to Mobil 1.

Where do you find out more about this?

 

[RGUN]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
It's all about flow. Fram is one of the worst brands for flow.

Motorcraft filters by Ford are excellent for flow. I hear K&N are superior to Mobil 1.

You realize we're talking about oil filters right?

 

[BlackOmen]

You need to read the forums at Bob is the Oil Guy.

Personally, I wouldn't touch fram filters. This is based on what was previously said about the cardboard endcaps in their filters. There was also something floating around the bitog forums about how assembly line workers for Honeywell (owner of Fram) had horror stories of poor quality control.

My picks:
Purolator
Purolator PureOne
Wix/Napa Gold
Bosch
AC Delco

Also good but too pricey for me:
Mobil 1
K&N

Of course this is all relative. I know people who won't touch anything but Fram.

If you are only changing the oil at 5k, I would go with Purolator, Bosch or AC Delco. For extended intervals, I would personally use the PureOne or the Wix/Napa Gold (or Mobil 1 or K&N if you choose).

I use PureOne's and Mobil 1 synthetic every 8-10k.

 

[BlackOmen]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
It's all about flow. Fram is one of the worst brands for flow.

Motorcraft filters by Ford are excellent for flow. I hear K&N are superior to Mobil 1.

Purolator manufactures the Motorcraft filters for Ford.

Do you have any numbers to back up your flow statement?

 

[shortylickens]

I change the oil in my Mazda at 5000 miles (like the manual says to do) and I have also tried many different filters over the years.

The expensive K&N filter did give me better performance than the cheap Frams, but I didnt actually care about it.

I think you need to be a gearhead to appreciate the difference in car parts. For me it was unimportant.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

From what I've researched about this.

1) DO not buy FRAM
2) Buy anything other than Fram and you'll be fine

It's kinda funny ... after all this research I come to find that Wal-Mart only stocks Fram. Go figure.

One issue with FRam is that they clog up quicker than other brands ... thus it diverts to its relief valve ... meaning it does nothing.

 

[flyfish]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
From what I've researched about this.

1) DO not buy FRAM
2) Buy anything other than Fram and you'll be fine

It's kinda funny ... after all this research I come to find that Wal-Mart only stocks Fram. Go figure.

One issue with FRam is that they clog up quicker than other brands ... thus it diverts to its relief valve ... meaning it does nothing.

Actually, Wal-Mart carries Super Tech filters which are better and much cheaper than Fram!

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: flyfish

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
From what I've researched about this.

1) DO not buy FRAM
2) Buy anything other than Fram and you'll be fine

It's kinda funny ... after all this research I come to find that Wal-Mart only stocks Fram. Go figure.

One issue with FRam is that they clog up quicker than other brands ... thus it diverts to its relief valve ... meaning it does nothing.

Actually, Wal-Mart carries Super Tech filters which are better and much cheaper than Fram!

My "mechanic" uses SuperTech, I'd say its a safe choice.
Personally I buy Subaru OEM filters and Wix for my gf's Saturn.

 

[OrganizedChaos]

Originally posted by: flyfish

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
From what I've researched about this.

1) DO not buy FRAM
2) Buy anything other than Fram and you'll be fine

It's kinda funny ... after all this research I come to find that Wal-Mart only stocks Fram. Go figure.

One issue with FRam is that they clog up quicker than other brands ... thus it diverts to its relief valve ... meaning it does nothing.

Actually, Wal-Mart carries Super Tech filters which are better and much cheaper than Fram!

i heard that the walmart filters are just rebranded STP filters, is this true?

 

[Christobevii3]

i just use wix since it seems to keep my oil from being as black as fram.

 

[NaOH]

I use STP or bosch filters

 

[zephyrprime]

I used to use the pure one but I can't find it for my car anymore and am not stuck with the mobil 1 which is expensive

 

[Tobolo]

wix ftw

 

[Evadman]

Change oil filters every oil change. This is not optional. The filter needs to remove all the crap in the oil from blowby, casting sand, or anything else that gets into the engine. Odds are good that your oil will last longer than the filter. If you want to save money, it would be better to change only the filter at 5k miles (and add a quart or so of oil back to make up for what was in the filter) then only changing the oil and leaving the filter. Seriously, even a full synthetic oil change is < $40. That's less than a tank of gas, and you only need to do it 4 times a year, probably less

Oil and grease are cheap, parts are not.

 

[Pabster]

Originally posted by: BlackOmen
You need to read the forums at Bob is the Oil Guy.

Personally, I wouldn't touch fram filters. This is based on what was previously said about the cardboard endcaps in their filters. There was also something floating around the bitog forums about how assembly line workers for Honeywell (owner of Fram) had horror stories of poor quality control.

My picks:
Purolator
Purolator PureOne
Wix/Napa Gold
Bosch
AC Delco

Also good but too pricey for me:
Mobil 1
K&N

Of course this is all relative. I know people who won't touch anything but Fram.

If you are only changing the oil at 5k, I would go with Purolator, Bosch or AC Delco. For extended intervals, I would personally use the PureOne or the Wix/Napa Gold (or Mobil 1 or K&N if you choose).

I use PureOne's and Mobil 1 synthetic every 8-10k.

My dad used to work in a plant that produced these filters, along with the air filters.

They literally are all just about the same, packaged in about 100 different boxes under different names. Very little difference between them. In fact, I remember him telling me that the vast majority used IDENTICAL components. The only difference (literally) was the name stamped on the filter and the box.

Synthetic Oil is a great idea, especially for a new vehicle, but I wouldn't get carried away with the filter. You don't need to spend $40 on one.

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: BlackOmen

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
It's all about flow. Fram is one of the worst brands for flow.

Motorcraft filters by Ford are excellent for flow. I hear K&N are superior to Mobil 1.

Purolator manufactures the Motorcraft filters for Ford.

Do you have any numbers to back up your flow statement?

it's probably on the contrary. fram's bypass valves probably seat so poorly that they're either bypassed themselves, or stuck on. also the pleats aren't as plenty so there's more room for flow.

of course, this is all horrible on the filtration end of things.

 

[Playmaker]

Originally posted by: BlackOmen
You need to read the forums at Bob is the Oil Guy.

Personally, I wouldn't touch fram filters. This is based on what was previously said about the cardboard endcaps in their filters. There was also something floating around the bitog forums about how assembly line workers for Honeywell (owner of Fram) had horror stories of poor quality control.

My picks:
Purolator
Purolator PureOne
Wix/Napa Gold
Bosch
AC Delco

Also good but too pricey for me:
Mobil 1
K&N

Of course this is all relative. I know people who won't touch anything but Fram.

If you are only changing the oil at 5k, I would go with Purolator, Bosch or AC Delco. For extended intervals, I would personally use the PureOne or the Wix/Napa Gold (or Mobil 1 or K&N if you choose).

I use PureOne's and Mobil 1 synthetic every 8-10k.

QFT