Fram or Purolator for the KIa

[wbwanzer]

Last week I bought a Fram Tough Guard (TG9688) from Walmart for my wife's Kia Seltos. Planning the oil change for next week. Don't know why I didn't pay attention to the other brands that were there. But today I was there again and found a Purolator LX 9688 for about the same price and bought it. The Fram is supposed to be good for up to 15,000 miles and provides 99% dirt trapping efficiency. The Purolator also lists 99%+ dirt removal and protects for up to 20,000 miles.

Comparing the two physically, I like the grippyness of the Fram, but other than that, I would give the (unscientific and highly subjective) nod to the Purolator. The gasket is wider and it just gives me the appearance being better built.

So the Purolator will be installed next week along with Valvoline Advanced 5W30. I'll take the Fram back to Walmart next trip.

 

[Glenda W.]

This is what the 20k Purolator looks like inside. If it were me I’d return both and get a M1 filter.

P

Thread 'Purolator 20k C&P'

May 26, 2025

Sample size of one and all that good stuff.

Bought a Purolator LX7317 at Wally World. I think I’ll continue to pass on Purolator.

Lots of loose glue. I can’t guarantee that that I didn’t knock anything loose cutting the filter element, but I found 3 large pieces of loose adhesive inside the pleats. Lots of loose glue outside the element. Half of the top metal plate didn’t adhere, but I doubt that matters under pressure.

• pcf
• Replies: 45
• Forum: Engine Oil Filters

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[JB250]

We have Seltos. I went to the dealer and bought the OEM oil filters. They are $5.35 out the door. Very well made. I have cut one of my used ones open and I was very impressed at the quality.

 

[MurkyAsparagus]

Glenda W. is spot on. That would be my exact course of action.

 

[wbwanzer]

Thanks for the heads-up. I'll see if I can find an M1.
Do we know who makes the M1 filters?

 

[Glenda W.]

Thanks for the heads-up. I'll see if I can find an M1.
Do we know who makes the M1 filters?

Thread 'New Mobil 1(108-A) made in Vietnam C&P'

Apr 12, 2025

Purchased at Walmart for $11.44.

Definitely gives me Pentius vibes to be honest. Most likely VAFI built(made in Vietnam). Some models are made in South Korea. A little extra glue but otherwise a high quality build. Much better than the previous M+H made M1 filters. Highline Warren is handling the warranty on these.

Tomorrow I’ll cut out the media and get measurements.

• Glenda W.
• Replies: 105
• Forum: Engine Oil Filters

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[wbwanzer]

Thanks Glenda.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

The OE filter for your Kia is the Mann W811/80, so a Wix or Purolator might actually be OK to buy for your car since Mann is the OE supplier.

 

[walterjay]

I recommend OEM Hyundai/Kia filters.

That being said Fram did re-design the 9688 a few years ago to accomadate some of the problems Kia engines were having with non OEM filters.

 

[GSCJR]

@walterjay, can you share more about the Fram redesign? After talking to a Hyundai master technician, he suggested to use only genuine Hyundai filters. I've used a variety of aftermarket filters on Hyundais without incident.

 

[walterjay]

@walterjay, can you share more about the Fram redesign? After talking to a Hyundai master technician, he suggested to use only genuine Hyundai filters. I've used a variety of aftermarket filters on Hyundais without incident.

I know that they were having problems on the 2.4 engine. If I recall correctly there was a problem getting adequate flow through the after market filters. Hyundai issued a TSB stating that only OEM should be used.

Fram re-designed the filter to accomodate the higher flow rates and pressures for that application. What exactly they did internally I do not know. I do know that they greatly increased the burst strength for the housing.

When I used the original Fram on my Hyundai I would usually get startup rattle with the filter. OEM cured that.

I don't know if you noticed but the Fram 9688 is priced higher than their other filters. So I assume they cost more to produce.
You can generally get the Hyundai OEM filter for less than Fram. That is the route that I now go.

And of course being under warranty why take a chance.

 

[Wylie6G72]

I know that they were having problems on the 2.4 engine. If I recall correctly there was a problem getting adequate flow through the after market filters. Hyundai issued a TSB stating that only OEM should be used.

Fram re-designed the filter to accomodate the higher flow rates and pressures for that application. What exactly they did internally I do not know. I do know that they greatly increased the burst strength for the housing.

When I used the original Fram on my Hyundai I would usually get startup rattle with the filter. OEM cured that.

I don't know if you noticed but the Fram 9688 is priced higher than their other filters. So I assume they cost more to produce.
You can generally get the Hyundai OEM filter for less than Fram. That is the route that I now go.

And of course being under warranty why take a chance.

I was told this exact same thing about my '09 Forte Koup 2.4 by a technician when I took it in for a topside noise. I can't remember what I had put on it, but he told me to get it off. Noise resolved with a Kia filter.

I've just used OEM on everything since then with no issues.

 

[Electromotive]

We have Seltos. I went to the dealer and bought the OEM oil filters. They are $5.35 out the door. Very well made. I have cut one of my used ones open and I was very impressed at the quality.

That is a great price. My local Kia dealer currently charges $9.15 out the door for the OEM 2024 Seltos S oil filter (p/n 26300-35505). A local big box auto parts store just down the street from the Kia dealer charges $13.99 plus sales tax for the same OEM filter.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Fram is garbage, Purolator is garbage. Still have some old Honda OEM filters made by Filtrete, then Honda switched to Fram to mass produce. The weight of the Filtrete and Fram are night and day. It's sad. Stick with OEM Kia.

 

[Electromotive]

I know that they were having problems on the 2.4 engine. If I recall correctly there was a problem getting adequate flow through the after market filters. Hyundai issued a TSB stating that only OEM should be used.

Fram re-designed the filter to accomodate the higher flow rates and pressures for that application. What exactly they did internally I do not know. I do know that they greatly increased the burst strength for the housing.

When I used the original Fram on my Hyundai I would usually get startup rattle with the filter. OEM cured that.

I don't know if you noticed but the Fram 9688 is priced higher than their other filters. So I assume they cost more to produce.
You can generally get the Hyundai OEM filter for less than Fram. That is the route that I now go.

And of course being under warranty why take a chance.

You are so right concerning warranty. Installing an OEM oil filter gives one less thing for a vehicle manufacturer to use to try and deny a warranty claim.

 

[ChrisD46]

We have Seltos. I went to the dealer and bought the OEM oil filters. They are $5.35 out the door. Very well made. I have cut one of my used ones open and I was very impressed at the quality.

The Hyundai / Kia oil filters may be well built but have poor filtering when compared against the Fram Tough Guard. *Based on the WM off the shelf offering I would consider the current M1 (high end) and the Fram Tough Guard (lower end) oil filters .

 

[ZeeOSix]

I know that they were having problems on the 2.4 engine. If I recall correctly there was a problem getting adequate flow through the after market filters. Hyundai issued a TSB stating that only OEM should be used.

Fram re-designed the filter to accomodate the higher flow rates and pressures for that application. What exactly they did internally I do not know. I do know that they greatly increased the burst strength for the housing.

Sounds more like a low pump pressure relief setting or weak PD pumps. Highly doubt the filter was that flow restrictive, as similar sized Frams work on all kinds or engines. What's the max oil flow output on those Hyundai 2.4 engines?

 

[RaymondP]

M1 108A on my Triumph Thruxton motorcycle, 10+ years and all good.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

AAAAHHHHHH !!!! If I had the $$$$$, I would buy a new Acura and get free oil changes for as long as I owned it.... No oil related warranty issues...YAY .......But, NAY ...don't have the $$$$$$ for that.

 

[odie]

Have two '25 SOULs' ( 2.0 Ltr. w/ M.P.I ) and use the 26300-35505 . Very well made and inexpensive . I think there's talk of the newer HYUNDAI / KIA O.E.M. filters being produced by Premium Guard . Do look similar .