Former WIX user, getting up to speed... where to to from here?

[Chryslercruiser]

I have about 5 filters left from a case of 1068 Wix filters I got at Rock Auto 6 years ago..

Upon learning that they had changed hands, I started reading here about filter quality... and OCI.... and and and..

I typically change the oil on my daily driver at 5K b/c that is what the manual said to do.. And I used to buy Wix filters b/c I had heard they were a solid choice.

NOW I am hearing that Champion labs is making good filters... And that a FRAM filter is a find choice.. ?

So should I be putting a Fram or Champion Labs oil filter on my stuff that gets frequent oil changes.. like the plow truck that might get 50 miles a year... And I change the oil when it "looks" dark.

Or for the Farm tractor, With a diesel engine which I need an engine oil filter and Transmission/Hydraulic filter..

I used to always use Wix for everything... NOW I am trying to get to speed on who makes a good filter for industrial/AG equipment, as well as the Mopar's in the fleet..

Any and all suggestions welcome in regards to what filter company to look towards... how to make sense of what micron rating is necessary.. (the wix stuff I used to use was listed as 21 micron.. but AC Delco filters seem to list 30 microns frequently.. What gives?

AND is there a post, or a FAQ filter section that can get people like me who don't have a clue up to speed.

 

[I<3oil]

ChampXL
Microgard Select
Carquest Premium

 

[kschachn]

Many, many existing threads on filters that encompass the scope of this new thread.

 

[Drewby83]

ChampXL
Microgard Select
Carquest Premium

This seems like the best answer right now to me and FRAM tough guard. ChampXL or FRAM Tough Guard for most likely USA made. Seems FRAM Ultra and Endurance lines could be having some QC issues.

 

[cptbarkey]

I have fallen asleep to many Wix filters being cut open on youtube, and they have been (in my opinion) not a good value for the money.

 

[jetman]

I have about 5 filters left from a case of 1068 Wix filters I got at Rock Auto 6 years ago..

Upon learning that they had changed hands, I started reading here about filter quality... and OCI.... and and and..

I typically change the oil on my daily driver at 5K b/c that is what the manual said to do.. And I used to buy Wix filters b/c I had heard they were a solid choice.

NOW I am hearing that Champion labs is making good filters... And that a FRAM filter is a find choice.. ?

So should I be putting a Fram or Champion Labs oil filter on my stuff that gets frequent oil changes.. like the plow truck that might get 50 miles a year... And I change the oil when it "looks" dark.

Or for the Farm tractor, With a diesel engine which I need an engine oil filter and Transmission/Hydraulic filter..

I used to always use Wix for everything... NOW I am trying to get to speed on who makes a good filter for industrial/AG equipment, as well as the Mopar's in the fleet..

Any and all suggestions welcome in regards to what filter company to look towards... how to make sense of what micron rating is necessary.. (the wix stuff I used to use was listed as 21 micron.. but AC Delco filters seem to list 30 microns frequently.. What gives?

AND is there a post, or a FAQ filter section that can get people like me who don't have a clue up to speed.

This will get you started down that rabbit hole:
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...ntial-testing-psid.341925/page-2#post-5789075

 

[Chryslercruiser]

Many, many existing threads on filters that encompass the scope of this new thread.

True, yet I am not getting a clear understanding on how to prioritize the decision making process..

For instance the Champion PH400XL synthetic might be a good choice but it does not filter down to the 21 micron rating that I am used to seeing... despite it be being listed as a "standard replacement" filter on Rock auto.. The "economy" version seems to filter down to a smaller micron number... IF I keep the OCI at my present 3000 Miles..

I have fallen asleep to many Wix filters being cut open on youtube, and they have been (in my opinion) not a good value for the money.

I have not watched many, but just from what I have learned here, I will use two that are puroloator like in construction for a short OCI.

This seems like the best answer right now to me and FRAM tough guard. ChampXL or FRAM Tough Guard for most likely USA made. Seems FRAM Ultra and Endurance lines could be having some QC issues.

Thank you Drewby83. I will read to understand what makes these and the others suggested good options, so as to UNDERSTAND better how to make good choices.

ChampXL
Microgard Select
Carquest Premium

Simple, easy to follow suggestion, and gives me a direction to go in. Thank You I<30il !

This will get you started down that rabbit hole:
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...ntial-testing-psid.341925/page-2#post-5789075

Headed there next, Thank you Jetman.

 

[Glenda W.]

I feel your pain. I too was a loyal wix user for 20+ years. M+H really did a number on wix and all of their acquisitions honestly. I’ve currently been using Fram Titanium and Car Quest Premium from AAP and Microgard Select from Oreilly’s.

 

[eljefino]

You have to make sure you're comparing apples to apples. The micron ratings may be in a size that isn't yours. Read the fine print.

 

[53' Stude]

I have about 5 filters left from a case of 1068 Wix filters I got at Rock Auto 6 years ago..

Upon learning that they had changed hands, I started reading here about filter quality... and OCI.... and and and..

I typically change the oil on my daily driver at 5K b/c that is what the manual said to do.. And I used to buy Wix filters b/c I had heard they were a solid choice.

NOW I am hearing that Champion labs is making good filters... And that a FRAM filter is a find choice.. ?

So should I be putting a Fram or Champion Labs oil filter on my stuff that gets frequent oil changes.. like the plow truck that might get 50 miles a year... And I change the oil when it "looks" dark.

Or for the Farm tractor, With a diesel engine which I need an engine oil filter and Transmission/Hydraulic filter..

I used to always use Wix for everything... NOW I am trying to get to speed on who makes a good filter for industrial/AG equipment, as well as the Mopar's in the fleet..

Any and all suggestions welcome in regards to what filter company to look towards... how to make sense of what micron rating is necessary.. (the wix stuff I used to use was listed as 21 micron.. but AC Delco filters seem to list 30 microns frequently.. What gives?

AND is there a post, or a FAQ filter section that can get people like me who don't have a clue up to speed.

Easy solution: DONALDSON white can that’s wire backed.

 

[I<3oil]

Simple, easy to follow suggestion, and gives me a direction to go in. Thank You I<30il !

Of course

 

[MParr]

Check out NAPA. They have ended their relationship with WIX. Their automotive filters are being made by Premium Guard. I don’t know about their industrial, hydraulic, and farm filters. You can always ask to look at them or question the counter clerk.
Advance Auto Parts and O’Reilly are other options.

 

[KevinMalone]

It seems that in general, build quality and quality control has taken a backseat in order to keep costs low and maintain lower prices.

I was never crazy about the smaller filter media on Wix filters but at least they were well made before. Not sure if the same can be said now.

I was okay with Frams but their build quality seems to be continually getting worse.

Polish made Hengst filters were excellent but now that production has moved to Mexico, they seem quite sloppily constructed.

For the price, Denso FTF seems to be well made with assumingily decent quality control as I don't think I've ever seen a defective one here. However, their filter efficiency isn't great and the ADBV is nitrile and not silicone as claimed.

 

[zrxkawboy]

I've switched to Champ XL. I don't own any diesel engines, so I can't help you there.

 

[jetman]

True, yet I am not getting a clear understanding on how to prioritize the decision making process..

For instance the Champion PH400XL synthetic might be a good choice but it does not filter down to the 21 micron rating that I am used to seeing... despite it be being listed as a "standard replacement" filter on Rock auto.. The "economy" version seems to filter down to a smaller micron number... IF I keep the OCI at my present 3000 Miles..



I have not watched many, but just from what I have learned here, I will use two that are puroloator like in construction for a short OCI.



Thank you Drewby83. I will read to understand what makes these and the others suggested good options, so as to UNDERSTAND better how to make good choices.



Simple, easy to follow suggestion, and gives me a direction to go in. Thank You I<30il !



Headed there next, Thank you Jetman.

If you care about filtering efficiency?
Wix 62% at 20 um, or 25% at 15 um, aka: "rock catcher", not the small stuff.
Three of the other filters are 95% to 99% at both 15 and 20um.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...ntial-testing-psid.341925/page-2#post-5789075

 

[Chryslercruiser]

Check out NAPA. They have ended their relationship with WIX. Their automotive filters are being made by Premium Guard. I don’t know about their industrial, hydraulic, and farm filters. You can always ask to look at them or question the counter clerk.
Advance Auto Parts and O’Reilly are other options.

Thank You MParr,
I will go ask... thanks for that suggestion! That would be the simplest solution!

I've switched to Champ XL. I don't own any diesel engines, so I can't help you there.

I can do that for the Mopar stuff, although I have not found their filter size to be as plentiful... I will keep looking around.

Easy solution: DONALDSON white can that’s wire backed.

Good option I don't think of... if NAPA does not pan out, I will go to them for the farm equipment.

I feel your pain. I too was a loyal wix user for 20+ years. M+H really did a number on wix and all of their acquisitions honestly. I’ve currently been using Fram Titanium and Car Quest Premium from AAP and Microgard Select from Oreilly’s.

I believe there is an advance auto parts about 18 miles away.. I don't go that way often, but I will find a reason to get up there and look at what they have.. I will have to look up where the Oreilly's is, but it is good to know as an option.

You have to make sure you're comparing apples to apples. The micron ratings may be in a size that isn't yours. Read the fine print

I will, but one question: where does one find the micron rating for specific filters? Manufacturer tech support?

If you care about filtering efficiency?
Wix 62% at 20 um, or 25% at 15 um, aka: "rock catcher", not the small stuff.
Three of the other filters are 95% to 99% at both 15 and 20um.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...ntial-testing-psid.341925/page-2#post-5789075

Happy to report I have never installed a Wix XS on anything.. Yes I do care about filtering efficiency, as well as overalll flow.. but for this moment I will focus on the list of manufactures that have been offered, and see what they have that crosses over... then I will find out the filtering efficiency..


Thanks for the responses, I will do some more reading, and get myself a filter cutter..

 

[ZeeOSix]

Any and all suggestions welcome in regards to what filter company to look towards... how to make sense of what micron rating is necessary.. (the wix stuff I used to use was listed as 21 micron..

For instance the Champion PH400XL synthetic might be a good choice but it does not filter down to the 21 micron rating that I am used to seeing...

If you are referring to the Wix "Nominal Micron Rating" then that's not a good efficiency reference because it's a nebulous Wix spec. That you need to compare is the ISO 4548-12 efficiency if you want to see which is more efficient. And filters will filter particles less than 21 microns to some degree. The more efficient it is at 20u, the more particles less than 20u it will also filter. The ISO efficiency graphs in the Ascent test thread clearly shows that.