All Fram 7317 filters sold out everywhere

[Merek]

I would choose Wix over Fram anyday

I get it, I really do but supposedly even their quality has also gone downhill. I'm sure others can respond more on that. I haven't kept up with who makes what anymore as it's constantly changing hands. Valvoline was having a sale so I ordered some oil directly through them and added a few oil filters, I found out the manufacturer is Champion Labs which includes Fram, AC Delco, Super Tech, and many others. I believe Mann-Hummel now has Purolator/Wix/Mobil 1.

I haven't cut open the Valvoline filters but preliminary inspection shows they are good quality and I noticed looking inside they are exactly like a Fram filter, the one for my Civic is the VO-3953a with the E-Core, the other ones were the VO-3506 and VO-8A which have a metal core with louvers, I didn't check their weight but there is some noticeable heft to them. They are a bit on the expensive side for $15.99, the oil savings can help offset the cost when purchasing directly through them but obviously the Ultra's are still the better deal from Walmart & Amazon.

My gut says that it's basically just a rebadged Fram Ultra in which they put the Valvoline graphics and charge a premium for it, they are both rated for 20k miles. Essentially the same as Chevy/GMC, virtually the same trucks but the GMC typically includes a bit more up front which demands a higher price tag, but is it worth it?

 

[MParr]

If people actually reported that stuff to their respective state weigh and measurements standards office, they love to find this kind of stuff and come down like Thor's hammer with fines and in some cases shut a business down until corrected.

This is a excerpt from a USA article. Mr. Rigg, the maker of the video, has reported the discrepancies.
"It's unfair that consumers have to investigate and report these errors, Wrigg says. He has filed a complaint with his local weights and measures department but has not heard back"

 

[Merek]

I didn't realize the 9688 superceded the 3593a, but that explains why no one stocks the 3593a anymore! In that case, Supertech ST9688 would be my choice at $3.84.

Of course, I have about 10 Honda sized filters (Carquest, STP, Ecogard, etc) in my cabinet so I won't need to worry for a few years...

Yes I believe you may still find the PH3953a but that's pretty much the only one on the shelves. I did find the TG3593a at Amazon for $12.14, I would just buy the Ultra XG9688 for $10.16 instead.... I really don't understand the pricing for the Tough Guards at all, either it needs to be cheaper or the Ultra's more expensive to make it even worthwhile. Most likely they phased out the TG3953a which would probably mean the higher price tag.

I think what's happened is that the 3953a is not being produced anymore as the 9688 was the replacement so they are demanding a premium for those filters. I noticed on Walmart the FE9688 is only available through a 3rd party seller which now wants $21, but Walmart sells them for $12.97, I read that happens a lot when something is discontinued that they will buy out the remaining stock and then sell for a premium. I do like the Endurance filters but certainly not to pay that much for them.

 

[Woody71]

w


Thank you.

What are the corresponding model numbers for the O’Reilly and MicroGard alternatives?

MGL57356 - Microguard​

MSL57356 - Microguard Select​

 

[Hootbro]

I think what's happened is that the 3953a is not being produced anymore as the 9688 was the replacement so they are demanding a premium for those filters.

3593A could not handle the startup oil pressure spikes on Hyundai vehicles and the 9688 was the answer for that.

 

[ZeeOSix]

I get it, I really do but supposedly even their quality has also gone downhill. I'm sure others can respond more on that. I haven't kept up with who makes what anymore as it's constantly changing hands.

Wix has been owned by Mann+Hummel since around 2016 ... and yes, we have seen changes because of that and some quality issues along the way. Oil filters certainly do change hands a lot, and go through ups and downs along the way for various reasons.

 

[Astro_Guy]

@slacktide_bitog Here are four options available today at my local Walmart:

View attachment 323926

" I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened."

I revisited my local Walmart today, ten days later, and none of the above options were available.

 

[Merek]

Is there an issue with First Brands, the parent company of Fram? I read they were going through bankruptcy so maybe suffering issues being able to supply the product? Sounds like the 7317 is a very popular filter because so many vehicles use it.

How are the new Purolator 20k filters? I still like the Ultra's but evidently they removed the wirebacking so they are not the same as they once were.

 

[ZeeOSix]

How are the new Purolator 20k filters? I still like the Ultra's but evidently they removed the wirebacking so they are not the same as they once were.

When I called Purolator Tech line, they told me the Purolator 20K filter was basically the same efficiency as the Boss, which is 99% @ 46u ... so it's not very efficient. Why not just get a Carquest Premium or MicroGard Select, or others similar made by PGI?

 

[S62MPOWER]

Sadly, Private Equity has gobbled up the likes of several brands under the First Brands banner: Anco, Trico, Fram, Autolite, Centric, Stoptech, etc. Companies with lots of debt do poorly when interest rates rise. Just a thought experiment, but I bet the talent and knowledge on this board could run these companies better than 1st brands!!

 

[B6_Dolphin]

FWIW - shelf stock and pricing yesterday (2/21) of PH7317 & XG7317 at the Walmart in Marysville, WA:

 

[slacktide_bitog]

UPDATE

I got a PH7317 from Walmart today

There were only 2 or 3 of these left, and I got one of them. Of course, there was not a single TG, XG, or FE7317 on the shelf, and now the actual OE Honda filters are gone too.

The date code on the one I got is A53521, made on the 352nd day of 2025, so December 18, a week before Christmas.

 

[JunkdrawerDog]

Just came from my local Walmart. There are no 7317 filters of any variety. There are no 6607 filters of any variety. Not even Supertech. There are also no A02 filters at all. Just empty shelf space.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Just came from my local Walmart. There are no 7317 filters of any variety. There are no 6607 filters of any variety. Not even Supertech. There are also no A02 filters at all. Just empty shelf space.

Oh wow the 6607 is disappearing too? At the store I got my PH7317 from, there was plenty of 6607 stock, as well as the other stores that had no 7317 of any kind

 

[JunkdrawerDog]

I hope the auto parts stores are bumping up their order quantities for alternatives. Or that Walmart is doing same.

 

[earthbound]

All OOS at my local Walmart

 

[MetalSlug]

I just note this yesterday Fram is empty every where on the shelves.

 

[ATex7239]

No Fram or Supertech available for the CR-V and Elantra based on the Walmart App. Seems like I might be using STP filters instead of Supertech on future oil changes. Oh well. Not going to lose any sleep over it. But thanks a lot First Brands.

 

[Bettez88]

Wonder if Walmart will dump Fram and bring in the Purolator lineup. I’m not opposed to that change. They used to carry Purolator classic back in the early 2000s

 

[Hootbro]

Stopped in a Walmart about an hour ago out here in the middle of Long Island, NY and the whole filter isle was picked over pretty good with all the heavy hitter FRAM/First Brands SKU's missing on the shelf. Checked the clearance isle and nothing has shown up there. Watched a couple of shoppers hitting up the cross reference look up device and pretty much would have taken anything else that would fit but nothing was there for them.