Brand Ranks air filter test
- Thread starter KevinMalone
- Start date
Yes I think it is the best bet amongst the readily available brands but don't know if it is better than Japanese or European OE filters.
The Ultra I have is made in the USA.
How did you come upon that information? I'm always amazed at what folks here know and I'd like to increase my knowledge and learn how some of the info posted here was acquired. Plus, I tend to be skeptical of some statements that have been posted without any references or explanation.
BrendanC
$100 site donor 2024
i like the fram ultra’s but i will say, none of the air filters i’ve ever put my hands on have the fit nor finish when compared to the purolator filters. M+H builds a very clean air filter. both of my accords have Fram ultras in them based on cost and the fact that they’re plastic framed filters.
You can get spec sheets from M&H and Mahle will also provide information. Since they are OE to German auto manufacturers, if their aftermarket product is identical to the factory installed product or the product available from the dealer in a Mercedes / BMW / Audi / Porsche box is the same, then the spec they give you should be equal to or above the manufacturer's minimum spec.
You can read about fleece / fully synthetic air filter dust holding capacity here:
It's not that new, it's been in their air filters since 1998!
https://www.mann-hummel.com/content...ttachment.file/Artikel_Filterdesign_EN_V1.pdf
Also, here is a post from 2005.
One of the other things that is good about synthetic air filters is that they have higher initial efficiency. The biggest issue I see with all the filters tested in this thread is how poor their efficiency is for a substantial amount of the beginning of their life.
That's why i think they (BR) should test the Fram Ultra and the European OE filters next.
I haven't seen a polyester/fleece air filter for euro applications yet - just the usual paper filter with a foam pre-filter. I have seen Denso polyester filters for Japanese applications though
Eg:
I do believe they are more efficient than paper based on how dirty they appear after a short while.
Eg:
I do believe they are more efficient than paper based on how dirty they appear after a short while.
They’re literally rebranded extra guards. Pure marketing
The filter looks remarkably similar to the filter in my Camry. Do you know if this is a poly filter? I've also sent an inquiry to Denso.
The factory Denso air filter for a Mitsubishi had "PET" printed on it for polyethylene terephthalate presumably. Interestingly, the replacement Denso FTF filter didn't have anything printed on it other than the model number
You've been very helpful with this. I checked the filter I have stocked and found that mine is a poly filter as well. Made in USA, too.
Nope. These let dirt by.
All my paper air filter machines are clean as a watch inside their air intakes. Anything with this fleece crap always has a dirty, dusty intake beyond the filter.
Is this with an OE air filter (or something you believe is identical to OE)? I have seen an excellent report on a Honda OE air filter.
I do agree that we still need to see testing on aftermarket synthetic filters. As we know with oil filters, synthetic media can be extremely efficient (Fram Ultra OG), to worse than the average cellulose (eg Wix XP).
Last edited:
Perhaps a sealing issue? I've found these polyester filters more difficult to seal properly compared to cellulose filters with a rubber gasket.
I assumed these would be more efficient since HEPA filters are also polyester. The Mann document posted earlier also suggests polyester is more efficient as well
The PET filter(s) that I've run in the Camry has left no observable dust in the intake past the filter. I even asked my tech to check and clean anything that looked dirty ... "Nothing to do," said he. Next oil change I'll take a look again. The car has been driven in some dusty environments, through wildfire smoke and ash, and spent a few months doing almost daily duty in a harsh, city environment.
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2024
- Messages
- 468
I don’t think this statement is accurate. Based on my observations, the media is a different color (has a yellow tinge) on the ultras. The extra guard for the same application is pure white.
I haven’t seen any yellow tinge on the ultras. Every filter I see is white. Maybe in the past they we pre oiled, but not anymore
The difference being lab testing with highly calibrated dirt that lasts under an hour at constant air speed vs real world, real dirt, hundreds of hours of operation, varying air intake speed.
I'm sure those felt filters are fine on the east cost.
The felt filters are supposedly sooo good but I'm not seeing it at all.
There are Ultras with both color media. Check the Walmart website to see the range across many applications. Also, yellow does not mean oiled.
