What oil filter do you run and why

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dgc333 said:
I have a few comments to share on filters.

1. Back in the mid 70's I worked for a company that made thermostats, radiators, oil coolers, etc for all three of the Big Three plus virtually every aftermarket brand. We also had a very extensive engineering lab which I ran and would do contract testing for most anyone that wanted to pay. We were approached be Lee Filters (remember them?) to do comparison testing to the other leading filter brands (they wanted it for marketing purposes). I recall Fram, Purolator, Baldwin, Hastings but there were many more in the test. We performed all the SAE tests of the time plus some others we schemed up our selves. The overall conclusion of all that testing was there was no difference. I realize that that 35 years ago but it is just something I want to share.

2. FRAM sells far more filters than everyone else combined under the FRAM name plus many others including both Mopar (lately they look like Purolator though) and Honda names. Just by shear numbers you are going to hear of more failures than other brands but could very well have a lower failure rate. I don't know what their failure rate is but you do have to keep that in mind when you listen to internet horror stories.

3. All of the pictures you see floating around on the internet showing this filter is better than that filter are just opinions. The physical appear has little or no baring on how well a given filter actually filters oil.

4. A good friend of mine was the Quality Manager at IPC Global Solutions. They make oil/air/fuel/cabin filters for virtually every filter manufacturer selling product in the US. All of their filters are made in China or Taiwan. They provide a co-manufacturing service for most of the manufacturers where they build the low volume part numbers or provide additional capacity. So that Wix or NAPA or Purolator or Fleet Guard may actually have been made in China.

5. Last comment; Don't put to much weight in what you hear on the internet, do what you are comfortable with. FWIW, the only filter I have personally had fail in my 40+ years of driving was a Wix that leaked at the seal where the can was attached to the base. I will still use them though I mostly use Motorcraft (Purolator) these days because they are very affordable.
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Still the most intelligent comment on this post to date. Pay particular attention to para #3. He actuually does not put any filter down. Unbiased?
 
I use Wix for its rugged construction and reputation for quality. Sometimes I use Purolator gold if I can't make the trek to get the Wix. Fram no.
 
Normally Wix, but I've currently got a Mobil 1 filter on there because they were on sale.
 
I've used fram all of my life without any problems whatsoever.
Using synthetic oil and changing the filter often works for me. I do buy a synthetic oil filter if i am using synthetic oil, and a regular fram filter and mineral based oil on the others. Looking at this and other threads on this subject, i think i will start buying wix from now on though. They are only a little bit more in price and look like they are worth it.
I do know amsoil filters and oil are the best when it comes to engine protection.
With over 30 years of experience with their products, i know it's good stuff.
Mobil 1 makes good products as well.
Actually, i've never had an oil filter or oil product of any kind fail on me at all as long as you follow the manufacturer's recomendations and use some common sense.
 
Mopar sources their filters from FRAM among others. If you check around the Internet you will see Mopar filters cut open that have the same fiber end caps as FRAM.
 
I don't know. These mopar filters look nothing like a fram to me.


FRAMEGParts.jpg





MoparOEMFilter.jpg


MoparPerformanceParts.jpg
 
abodyjoe said:
How old is that picture?
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I'm not sure. I found while reading the link posted earlier in the thread. http://mechdb.com/index.php/Oil_filter_analysis#Mopar_oil_filters

"This filter was interesting, but unfortunately only in bad ways. I also found this filter at Murray's Auto Parts, but left it there when I looked at the backplate. I decided to get one from the dealership instead, but it was exactly the same. Cutting it open confirmed it: this filter is a Fram Extra Guard (the radioactive orange one). It's definitely the cheapest Fram design with the infamous anti-drainback valve sealing against the cardboard cartridge end caps, and the plastic bypass valve. It's always easy to identify a Fram Extra Guard by the cheap looking, thin backplate with many small holes for the oil inlet. How Chrysler can call this cheap filter a "Severe Duty" filter is beyond me, but it is stamped right on the can. Even Fram makes better filters than this (Tough Guard), but they probably cost too close to the Mopar $6.50 oil filter price for a decent price mark-up. Fram does not list a part number for this filter in the Tough Guard version."
Oil_filters21.jpg
 
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