Fram Extra Guard 5056 & Fram Ultra 5056 comparison. Same filter different box?

[enduroracing7]

While I usually love Fram Filters this has me a little puzzled to say the least. A $6 filter and a $10 that appear to be carbon copies of each other, the ultra box was sealed so no store switcheroo stuff happened.

 

[enduroracing7]

The media only appears to be different colors in the photos due to the lighting in the room.

 

[Sayjac]

Sure do 'appear' identical. Of course, First Brands/Fram could claim the media is different on the Ultra (more efficient). But again, agree they do look much the same.

 

[tyman]

The EG is rated for 12k miles whereas the XG is rated for 40k.

 

[Kansas_Ron]

I am not any help. Looking at the filters at the Fram web site, they look the same. The Extra Filter Media Material is Cellulose. The Ultra Filter Media Material is Cellulose/Synthetic Blend

 

[drtyler]

Since the media of both filters has “FRAM 5056” printed in them, its probably safe to assume they are the same.

 

[Jimmy_Russells]

 

[SC Maintenance]

Since one is cellulose, and one is rated as synthetic blend - there likely different media. The gasket and screen are no doubt the same, and there likely assembled on the same machine in Mexico - hence the same print. I have worked in 100's of manufacturing plants over a 30 year career in technical sales - seen this sort of things many times.

Whether the different media is that important - I will let others comment on.

 

[enduroracing7]

View attachment 116296

My feelings exactly

 

[Sayjac]

View attachment 116296

That's pretty good. lol

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Two possibilities: either it's a low volume part number, or Trico got cheap with the Ultras

The 4309 is still different Ultra vs Extra, for example.

I think they're trying to make Ultra the Walmart-exclusive Fram air filter (this only applies to the air filter, not oil filters). So the Ultra will be the Walmart-branded version of the CA- sold elsewhere.

Walmart seems to have stopped carrying the CA- air filters and replaced them with Champ-made ST.

 

[Wheel366]

This is something I would email Fram about. If it is indeed the same exact filter I would let them know that we know and post the **** out of it on Social Media.

 

[ZeeOSix]

When I bought a Fram Ultra air filter for my Tacoma back in July 2020, the media looked more yellow than the other Fram air filters.

How do you know someone didn't buy it, take it home and switch there and somehow retained or put a seal back on to make it look like it was never opened?

 

[ZeeOSix]

Does the front of the box show a difference in the photos on the boxes? Here's a photo of the Fram Ultra box when I bought it in July 2020.

 

[bullwinkle]

Trico got cheap with EVERYTHING!!

FIFY! When I saw Fram lost the thick orange seal on the Toyota air filters (their best feature), I realized that I was pretty much done with them, except for an occasional OG Ultra oil filter.

 

[Plawan]

Typical

 

[thunderous1335]

FIFY! When I saw Fram lost the thick orange seal on the Toyota air filters (their best feature), I realized that I was pretty much done with them, except for an occasional OG Ultra oil filter.

You may enjoy that thick orange seal, but jfc they are pain to deal with on Nissan airboxes

 

[CharBaby]

I wonder if someone did a switch-a-roo at the store?

 

[SteveG4]

I wonder if someone did a switch-a-roo at the store?

Thot those Ultra air filters had that "oiled" yellow-tint to them all these years?

If bought at Wal-Mart, that's likely what happened. Someone switched Ultra and Regular filters and their boxes, walking away with the better filter in the lesser box. Happens all the time at Wal-Marts. I always open the box and check the filter at the check-out counter before inserting my CC into the reader.