Best ~$3 filter ?

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You'll only fine cellulose media at this price, although the Napa Nascar is listed as a cellulose/synthetic blend.
 
bump..

My local walmart supercenter has hardly any supertech filters anymore. Advance autoparts got rid of their total grip filters. So I'm stuck. I don't want to go to the orange can of doom, but I have used havoline oil filters on sale from Freds. however, I'm in another city so I can't get a hold of them anymore either. what does everyone think of $2.49 valucraft oil filters from autozone???
 
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Originally Posted By: Cutehumor
bump..

My local walmart supercenter has hardly any supertech filters anymore. Advance autoparts got rid of their total grip filters. So I'm stuck. I don't want to go to the orange can of doom, but I have used havoline oil filters on sale from Freds. however, I'm in another city so I can't get a hold of them anymore either. what does everyone think of $2.49 valucraft oil filters from autozone???


Do you have any nearby NAPA stores, and can get your hands on some of the Wix built ProSelect filters?
 
I have a napa that I can go to. I just have to make sure I get there before 6pm when they close. (I work graveyard shifts)
 
I’ve used Fram, Supertech, Motorcraft, Purolator and AC with success. But I have had occasional issues with them as well. Start-up rattle with Fram and AC (AC has used several designs over the years, with some much better than others), loose endcaps on Supertech (early Ecore production), and a torn pleat on a Motorcraft.

Personally, I avoid Fram and Supertech (except for occasional use on my worn out lawn mower). Their simplicity and cleverness doesn’t outweigh their cheapness for me. I occasionally use a Purolator or AC on some applications that don’t require a built in bypass. And I will also use a Motorcraft if I find one that fits my application.

However, I generally pay a little more and use mid priced filters. Their media tends to hold up better and I generally prefer the flexibility of a silicone ADBV. And some mid priced filters also have front end bypass valves that I prefer to use on the Jeep.
 
Previously, before gas went through the roof, I used a medium grade filter. Now I have been using the Supertech filter for almost a year now, and haven’t had any problems. Seems like a good filter for the price.
 
Have Quaker State filters on all the family's cars right now.

Paid $2.49 for them awhile back. No problems here!!
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I like WIX construction of the ProSelect but I'm not enthused by WIX beta numbers generally.

The Supertech may have slightly better than average filtration (better betas) but I'm not enthused by the construction.

If I wanted filter longevity then Proselect, better filtration ST.

These differences are minor nit-picks though.
 
Originally Posted By: glenncof
I like WIX construction of the ProSelect but I'm not enthused by WIX beta numbers generally.

The Supertech may have slightly better than average filtration (better betas) but I'm not enthused by the construction.

If I wanted filter longevity then Proselect, better filtration ST.

These differences are minor nit-picks though.


Well, you don't know what media is used in your particular ST offering. The one that they show on the Champ Labs website may not be the one in your ST. They probably fall into the same realm as the Proselect. That is, they're competitive offerings in both filtration and cost.

The longevity, outside of nitrile parts, is near identical (probably) between the two. They both target the same market segment and both meet or exceed OEM spec's. That means 7500 for most US cars and up to 10k (maybe 20k) in something like a Honda.


I do agree that Wix doesn't focus on fine filtration. Their construction is their best selling point. I think that they more conform to OEM spec's than other filter manufacturers do to the braod differences between part numbers. Some conveniently fall into the same spec's ..while others do not. Purolator and others seem to "blanket" cover more applications, regardless of the quality of construction or the level of filtration.
 
It seems odd to me that a dollar value ( "$3") is being used as the primary criteria for selecting a filter. For an item that is only purchased a few times a year, this seems like false economy.
 
Originally Posted By: va3ux
It seems odd to me that a dollar value ( "$3") is being used as the primary criteria for selecting a filter. For an item that is only purchased a few times a year, this seems like false economy.

I couldn't agree more. I've used the cheap $3 filters before, and I've cut them open after use. Even if it were free, I wouldn't use a filter on my car that contributes to start-up rattle, doesn't filter well because the media is cheap, or the lousy construction leads to unwanted bypassing. I've yet to find a cheap filter I consider a good value, except perhaps for use on my worn out lawn tractor or for a short OCI like an AutoRX flush. In most cases I prefer to spend a few dollars more for better media and/or construction.
 
Originally Posted By: va3ux
It seems odd to me that a dollar value ( "$3") is being used as the primary criteria for selecting a filter. For an item that is only purchased a few times a year, this seems like false economy.


I disagree, when I shop for a TV I want the best I can get for $400... a house that's in my price range, car, etc...

Setting an upper limit is reasonable.
 
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