Differences in Quality of Oil Filter Brands

[Jac09]

I've been working under the illusion that Fram filters were of good quality for many years. I found a source that said that Fram paper filters only trap particles down to about 30 µ size, which is about the size of the space between bearings; filters that include synthetic materials offer superior filtering to paper alone. To my surprise I also saw a chart that indicated that the Toyota filter for my Prius allows about 50% of the 20 µ particles to escape the filter.

With 10 K miles, using synthetic oil, between oil changes, I certainly want to use a top quality filter. I've seen recommendations for Mobil 1, Purolator Pure One, Amsoil and Bosch filters. Does anyone have any recommendations and do you know any online retailers that carry a large supply of filters? These Prius filters are not easy to find. If possible, I would like to buy in bulk.

 

[KCJeep]

Frams are of varying quality but they are from pretty good to excellent as far as filtration goes. Their cartridge filters and the Ultra spin on are good quality IMO. A Prius is a cartridge filter, yes?

For bulk purchases on line is probably the way to go, or a large purchase on line from Advance using codes can also get you a lot of filters cheap.

All the filters you mentioned are very good.

 

[ZeeOSix]

You have a cartridge filter, and what I've seen is that typically cartridge filters don't have as good a filtering efficiency as the spin-on types ... at least that's what Purolator told me in an email about their filter line. They said all their PureOne cartilage filters are rated at 99.9% @ 40 microns, instead of 20 microns like the spin-ons. Don't know about FRAM or anyone else.

So does anyone know if FRAM makes the Ultra in a cartridge filter?

 

[[email protected]]

We used to have two Saturn V6 engines that took cartridge filters and I had really good luck with Purolator PureOne cartridges - they'd never deform like the other brands, and I ran them out several times to 10k OCI's.

Once in a while AAP and Amazon have them on sale for $5 which is a pretty good deal for some cartridge oil filters, let alone PureOnes!

 

[UNC017]

Fram Ultra filters are exceptionally good, especially when viewed in performance per dollar. They rank right up there with Purolator, Wix, and some of the brands made to spec by Champion Labs (Mobil 1, Royal Purple, Amsoil EAO, etc.)

Its only the basic Frams that are marginally built.

 

[LeakySeals]

What made you think illusion? YouTube and the Fram misinformed haters club? Have any problems with a Fram over those many years? The illusion is created by faux internet experts (like me

) and hypothetical worries over bad information. Rumors.

The answer is true for the Toyota OE, false for the base line Fram. All Frams are tested at 20 micron with a 95% efficiency or better. For whatever reason people are hung up on the paper end caps when Toyota OE has no end cap at all. Fram has a line of synthetic filters called Ultra. Synthetic media, metal end caps, 99% @ 20 micron efficiency, 15k extended interval. I'm currently testing them out on 2 different engines. Been very cold here as low as -1F. On the Camry the filter is on a second oil change, a total of 12k so far. No issues on either engine.

Your other choices are fine too. The Purolator Pure One has metal end caps, resin-paper

media and very high 99.9% efficiency so depending on the cleanliness of your engine that's a good or bad choice for extended intervals (initially)

 

[ZeeOSix]

OP's vehicle uses a cartridge filter. Like said earlier, there seems to be a different efficiency rating on cartridge filters (at least with Purolaors) for some reason.

Also, construction of cartridge filters is a whole different world from spin-ons. I've never seen a cartridge filter made with metal end caps or center tube.

 

[tc1446]

check out Ebay for wide variety of brands for Prius:

http://motors.shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=prius+oil+filter

 

[bmwtechguy]

I have some cartridge filters with metal end caps for older Mercedes and BMW. All the newer stuff has gone to non-metal.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: bmwtechguy
I have some cartridge filters with metal end caps for older Mercedes and BMW. All the newer stuff has gone to non-metal.

+1

 

[cp3]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix

So does anyone know if FRAM makes the Ultra in a cartridge filter?


They do. At least the have the XG9018 for the Ecotec, I can't say if they have other part numbers though.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: cp3
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix

So does anyone know if FRAM makes the Ultra in a cartridge filter?


They do. At least the have the XG9018 for the Ecotec, I can't say if they have other part numbers though.


Wonder if the Ultra in cartridge form also has the 2 layered full synthetic media with wire backing? Without metal end caps, it might be hard to construct such a filter using very thick media with a wire backing.

 

[KCJeep]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
OP's vehicle uses a cartridge filter. Like said earlier, there seems to be a different efficiency rating on cartridge filters (at least with Purolaors) for some reason.

.


Interesting. I'm new to cartridge filters, always ignored them before but now the new KIA takes them. I looked at some Wix and they mentioned efficiency at 25 microns, not 20. Interesting.

Anybody ever seen any published testing on cartridge filter efficiencies?

 

[HTSS_TR]

For cartridge filter, German brands such as Mann, Mahle, Hengst, Bosch ... are better since they had been making cartridge filters for long time.

 

[Sayjac]

Originally Posted By: KCJeep
Anybody ever seen any published testing on cartridge filter efficiencies?

Nope, sure haven't. I own one vehicle that uses one and have started two threads regarding what I've found. Since I haven't seen published eficiencies, I try to get the best looking construction for the least cost. For my Hyundai that has turned out to be a Napa Gold(Wix) cartridge, which I posted about recently in this thread. It looks identical to the first oem filters that Hyundai made/used and is significantly less expensive. And imo at least as good in appearance as some of the other cartridges from other makers mentioned above credited with making cartridge filters longer. I will say the Fram made cartridge for my application sold in Wally and happens to be made in China, doesn't look as well made as the NG/Wix or oem. Can't speak to other Fram cartridge applications.

And at least as far as Hyundai oems, the Mahle made oem that I posted about in this thread didn't look any better made than the oem that used a composite or nylon like material for the endcap. And, it was/is significantly more expensive as explained in the thread.

When it comes to cartridge filters with no known efficiency, construction including tight uniform pleating and good fit on the housing are what I look for.

All that said, canister filters whole different ball game. Lots of published efficiency information at least from the major aftermarket makers, and lots of dissection pics on the internet. Based on ones preference for a type of construction, eg. metal or fiber endcap, published efficiency and cost for construction, it's easier imo to make an informed choice based on all those factors.

 

[Jim Allen]

I don't see why a cartridge filter couldn't be as efficient as a canister.

If you want to know the efficiency of a particular cartridge filter, why not ask a specific question of the company?

 

[DinoOil]

To the OP:
All of us shouldn't lose one moment of sleep worrying about oil filters if we change it up to a max of 7 or 8000 miles. Sleep well.. It doesn't matter.

 

[KCJeep]

Originally Posted By: sayjac
Originally Posted By: KCJeep
Anybody ever seen any published testing on cartridge filter efficiencies?

Nope, sure haven't. I own one vehicle that uses one and have started two threads regarding what I've found. Since I haven't seen published eficiencies, I try to get the best looking construction for the least cost. For my Hyundai that has turned out to be a Napa Gold(Wix) cartridge, which I posted about recently in this thread. It looks identical to the first oem filters that Hyundai made/used and is significantly less expensive. And imo at least as good in appearance as some of the other cartridges from other makers mentioned above credited with making cartridge filters longer. I will say the Fram made cartridge for my application sold in Wally and happens to be made in China, doesn't look as well made as the NG/Wix or oem. Can't speak to other Fram cartridge applications.

And at least as far as Hyundai oems, the Mahle made oem that I posted about in this thread didn't look any better made than the oem that used a composite or nylon like material for the endcap. And, it was/is significantly more expensive as explained in the thread.

When it comes to cartridge filters with no known efficiency, construction including tight uniform pleating and good fit on the housing are what I look for.

All that said, canister filters whole different ball game. Lots of published efficiency information at least from the major aftermarket makers, and lots of dissection pics on the internet. Based on ones preference for a type of construction, eg. metal or fiber endcap, published efficiency and cost for construction, it's easier imo to make an informed choice based on all those factors.


GREAT information sayjac thanks so much! So you haven't found the Wix to cause any start up problems? The internet word is to only use OEM on Hyundai/KIA's. And I've found some posts where there have been problems using other than OEM, a gasket problem on a Fram and start up noise on some others.

I found Wix for the KIA at Rock Auto real reasonable, if they'll work well I'm interested.

 

[Sayjac]

Originally Posted By: KCJeep
GREAT information sayjac thanks so much! So you haven't found the Wix to cause any start up problems? The internet word is to only use OEM on Hyundai/KIA's. And I've found some posts where there have been problems using other than OEM, a gasket problem on a Fram and start up noise on some others.

I found Wix for the KIA at Rock Auto real reasonable, if they'll work well I'm interested.

The NG/Wix cartridge performs exactly the same as the original OEM C250 cartridge, and even the more expensive Mahle for that matter. I've noticed no difference, except price.

I've seen some posts regarding the Hyundai/Kia oem 'canister' oil filters performing better at start up than some aftermarket. I think some of that comes from an 'old' Hyundai tsb warning about aftermarket (canister) filter use. That said, based on some postings many have used aftermarket canisters with no issues too.

Again though, I'm satisfied with the quality, construction, performance and price of the NG/Wix, at least in my application.

 

[KCJeep]

Thank you so much, not really wanting to chase around to not very common dealerships, I think I'll try a Wix then.

The cartridge filter mine uses is a bit different than yours, but I think your experience should be applicable since they are not much different. Mine would need a Wix 57050, Napa 7050.

I did notice a lot of the non OEM filter complaints and the FSB were regarding spin ons, but I still see the same comments on KIA forums regarding cartridge filters.