Quality Oil Filter

[bravajo]

Guys,

 

Back in the old days all I used were Fram oil filters. They were rated very highly and difficult to find. Now you could find Fram anywhere you could find an oil filter and a lot of people recommend against them. I am not opposed to spending more but have no idea what a "quality filter" is.

 

Suggestions for a quality filter appreciated!

 

Thanks,

Joe.

[Sonoma]

All AC Delco filters for me - that way I know what the dealer would use if I ever took it there for an oil change

[gmcjoe]

AC Delco

Fram

Mobil 1

WIX

 

Any of the above a fine

[MountaineerTom]

A lot of people bash Fram filters, but my dad has never used anything but Frams and has never had any engine realated problems. Most of the vehicles he used them on had or currently has well over 100,000 miles.

 

I will have to admit that the build quality of the Frams do not appear to be as good as others.

 

I've used Frams with no problems as well. We had an '88 Beretta with 186,000+ miles on it when we got rid of it. Probably 90-95% of the time we had it, it had Frams on it.

 

The last several years I've used AC Delco's, Havoline's, Purolator's, Advance Auto Parts brand (Total Grips), and the Wal-Mart's SuperTech filters. The same company, Champion Laboratories makes Purolator's, Havoline's, Total Grip's, SuperTech's, and some AC Delco's. The SuperTech's I bought are a new design, called E-Core. It looks totally different inside than what your use to seeing. I cut one open to compare to some others, and they are well built.

 

I get the the Havoline's at a local Fred's discount store for $1.90 each, sometimes on sale for $1.50. The SuperTech's are regularly $2.00 at my Wal-Mart, and the Total Grip's are just over $2.00 at my Advance. I just bought a few on sale for $1.60.

 

As a matter of fact, I just put a SuperTech on today when I changed my oil.

[az'03Silverado]

I use either Fram or Bosch Premium filters. Both work just fine.

[TonyMazz]

Do not use FRAM...they are poorly made with cardboard endcaps and ABV that are poorly contructed.

 

FRAM (of old) was a fairly good filter, but do not hold up.

 

Do yourself a favor and use a champion labs, WIX or other good filter.

 

I used FRAM for many years (20) and opened a few up and discovered that the filter had collapsed inside and was essentially doing nothing for filtration ...no more .. If you want to study, ask questions about filters go over to BITOG.com and read much more indepth testing from those that have tested.

 

"Just because it works for me..." is not an endorsement for FRAM or any other filter....do some research and know why you choose a particular filter....

[Shawn T]

All of the research I have done on the internet points to MOBIL 1 and WIX. You can look at the cross-sections and the overall performance ratings. I Personally choose WIX just because they seem to perform as well as MOBIL 1, but are less spendy. Every study I have read says stay away from FRAM.

[redvett]

The MFR (GM) builds the engines to run for 250000+ with there filters and thats good enough for me.

[sgiangregorio]

I agree, just stick with AC Delco. They work very well and are inexpensive.

[97chevy350]

I have read enough about fram to never consider bringing one within sight of my truck. I just use good ole AC delco filters, I have heard a lot of good things about WIX too. I would suggest to you standard ac delco filters. If you do a search there is lots of good information. I have heard and done somethinking about premium filters, think about it, they trap more dirt so they are more restrictive to oil flow, and once they fill up the oil will bypass the filter unless it is changed frequently. So I would say basic AC or WIX.

[Bish]

My Favorites in order or preference

 

Mobil1

K%N

AC/Delco

 

NEVER a Fram...I have personally cut open their filters and was NOT impressed with the cardboard endcaps! Cardboard encaps in hot oil under pressure=not a good thing IMO.

[Guest chevydeerhunter]

Read up on oil filter tests here.

[RyanbabZ71]

Wonder what I like??? Ac Delco for my truck and impala (buy in bulk). Fram for the 93 escort with 87K miles

[slemmer]

Would the thinking of brands change if you had synthetic oil instead of mineral oil?

[foghorn23]

Here's a link to an interesting read at BITOG. I always use the Delco (be careful to get the duraguard version; some discount autopart stores are selling Delco's made in Mexico. The filter has no Duraguard designation on the box and the filter itself has a painted label.) or Purolator PureOne. As stated before stay away from Fram.

 

vroten