Does oil filter size matter?

[SC Maintenance]

The wix use a coil spring to hold the whole thing together, so the bottom of that can is mostly empty anyway, compared to the Hengst which I think has a leaf spring.

I won't even get into the whole wix louver thing - but my guess is there not very open....

Now that I thought about it - you really shouldn't use either. I will PM you my address to ensure proper disposal.

 

[ZeeOSix]

The wix use a coil spring to hold the whole thing together, so the bottom of that can is mostly empty anyway, compared to the Hengst which I think has a leaf spring.

If done right, filters that use a coil spring to hold the guts tight can take up less room than a leaf spring.

 

[dwendt44]

An oversize filter will usually flow more oil. Has larger holding capacity if that is important. As they cost the same at say Wal-Mart, why not? There really is no down side to an oversize filter. If there's room for it., go for it

My 2¢

 

[ZeeOSix]

An oversize filter will usually flow more oil.

Not really in most vehicle use conditions. The flow going through the filter is determined by the PD oil pump output vs RPM. A larger filter with more media (of the same media) will have slightly less dP across the filter at the same flow rate compared to a smaller filter with less media.

But If the engine was way into pump pressure relief at high RPM use, like running it hard on the race track, then a filter that flows better (has less dP vs flow) would give a few PSI more oil pressure to the oiling system at high RPM. PD oil pumps are basically over designed so they put out more oil flow than the required minimum, so they can easily account for things like differences in filter dP vs flow. And of course the filter bypass valve is part of the system that helps insure adequate oil flow is always getting to the engine is too much dP is seen across the filter. Filters that aren't loaded up much will rarely go into bypass with hot oil at 200F.

 

[push_whips]

Thanks so much everyone! Thankfully the filter position is the best you can ask for, just up top and even easier than my N62 (from the base 3 series in 2009, 3.0L NA I6) because you don't have to mess with the (still very simple) process of removing/installing the cartridge. I've only deal with Honda filters previously, and they were always the exact same size no matter the brand & in a..less optimal position, in terms of trying to get it everywhere. So I was confused, because overall, I trust Hengst to make the quality product of the two? It really is feels over reals because it's hard to keep up lol! Wix got bought out too I thought, in the past few years? I used to use their XP version on the N52 but then I read that it actually lets in bigger...things because it's meant for exended intervals which I don't do and I was basically making everything worse and wasting more money. It felt well made though for sure, so I've accepted that precieved buid quality doesn't necessarily make it better. (Toyota's filters looks cheapest but I stick to OEM to those for some reason lol)

I'm not usually this nerdy LOL but out of curiousity I weighed them, and the Henst is 223.5 grams Wix is 228.5 g. So only 5g heavier which is not very much. I already find it hard to decide between products, so I'll trust they know what they're doing heh. This person treats their low oil pressure light like a "casually top up when you get around to it" light anyways so really a best-of-the-best oil filter isn't going to cause it's downfall haha. (Trust me, I've told her like a million times how important it is to check it regularly. Like, super important you've a Subaru mate lol. And how the low oil light comes on when your engine is 3 seconds away from blowing up if you don't turn it off you don't treat is as a "when I get around to it" issue lol!. But at a certain point I chose sanity and it somehow still runs lol - it's like 125 000 miles or so and still seems to work?)

& I am for every changes 5-6k miles, with whatever I think is best in terms of oil at the recommended weight (even if I'm skeptical about it..)

 

[Lubener]

If the engine is in good shape and the oil is changed when it should be, then filter size is irrelevent.

 

[SC Maintenance]

If done right, filters that use a coil spring to hold the guts tight can take up less room than a leaf spring.

Maybe, but that is not generally the case with the standard wix.

 

[Sayjac]

If the engine is in good shape and the oil is changed when it should be, then filter size is irrelevent.

Agreed. Great example in my own previous use, the OG Wix 5/7356 vs standard flat spring 7317/14610 applications. The element is significantly longer on the 7317 applications. vs the Wix/Napa Gold with the base end bypass piece. But, as I regularly maintain my vehicles, the 'holding capacity' of the 5/7356 never an issue or concern. I c&p'd of all my NG7356 post use anecdotes. "Technically" the Wix/NG is the same as 7317/14610 applications, but in effect element more equivalent to a 6607/14612 application. While I'm not a fan of quick lubes consolidating the 7317 to the 6607, in reality all other things equal, not a functional issue.

'All that said,' when it comes to using the spec 6607 on Nissan vs the .5" longer and useable 7317, I'll always choose the latter. Same specs just more media area. Also, one less filter application to buy, and do it because I can.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Maybe, but that is not generally the case with the standard wix.

If the big end cap protrusion on the ADBV side wasn't there on the WIX, then the cartridge would have been the same length, maybe even a hair longer. So the coil spring in that case wouldn't be taking up any more space in the dome vs the leaf spring.

 

[BrendanC]

i run the 3593a filters on my accords because they’re larger, i have a ton of them and they’re bigger in diameter making them easier to get on and off.

 

[SC Maintenance]

If the big end cap protrusion on the ADBV side wasn't there on the WIX, then the cartridge would have been the same length, maybe even a hair longer. So the coil spring in that case wouldn't be taking up any more space in the dome vs the leaf spring.

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Yes, that is my point. That model Wix has had the empty end forever. So since this post is about two filters, one longer than the other - this detail is pertinent. This is not a thread specific about leaf vs coil spring.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Yes, that is my point. That model Wix has had the empty end forever. So since this post is about two filters, one longer than the other - this detail is pertinent. This is not a thread specific about leaf vs coil spring.

You responded to my post 22 where I said if done right, a coil spring won't take up any more dome space than a leaf spring. So my post 29 is relevant in that context since it was brought up. I pointed out that if that big protrusion wasn't there and a coil spring was still used, then the coil spring isn't going to use any more dome space than a leaf spring.

 

[SC Maintenance]

You responded to my post 22 where I said if done right, a coil spring won't take up any more dome space than a leaf spring. So my post 29 is relevant in that context since it was brought up. I pointed out that if that big protrusion wasn't there and a coil spring was still used, then the coil spring isn't going to use any more dome space than a leaf spring.

Yes, but you were responding to my post saying the Wix can is half empty - so in this case, comparing lengths isn't as relevant as it outwardly seems.

Sure, someone can build a full can with a coil spring. Wix chooses not to. This entire thread is about the Hengst filter being shorter

 

[ZeeOSix]

Yes, but you were responding to my post saying the Wix can is half empty - so in this case, comparing lengths isn't as relevant as it outwardly seems.

Sure, someone can build a full can with a coil spring. Wix chooses not to. This entire thread is about the Hengst filter being shorter

This side discussion spun off because I mentioned that a coil spring if done right won't take up any more room than a leaf spring. You started responding to that comment, and we are here now. So what I'm saying is the use of the coil spring isn't why the media cartridge is shorter in case anyone thinks that's why it is. I think someone else mentioned in another thread too that they thought use of a coil spring would result in a shorter cartridge in a can the same length. This proves that's not the case if anyone is wondering.