Fram Ultra Air Filter (sold exclusively at Walmart).

B

Bill7

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I had seen actual tests in the past that showed the Fram Ultra Air filters had highest efficiency and very good flow rates versus all it's competitors.

I was thinking about stocking up on them, but had a doubt concerning Fram as a brand, since they've been cheapening their oil filters.
I noticed in Walmart that the Fram Ultra Air filters for my size are made in China, which surprised me.
I wanted to ask if the Fram Ultra Air filters (sold exclusively at Walmart) have also been cheapened, or are they as good as they were 3 years ago?

Thanks
 
I moved away from them about 2 years ago when they took a noticeable hit in quality.

T

Thread 'Fram Ultra Engine Air Filters'

Has anyone noticed a decline in Fram Ultra engine air filter quality recently? I purchased one a couple of years ago that was impressive quality for the price. Nice gasket material, wire mesh, and even what seemed to be light oil on the media.

The latest one I received a couple of weeks ago seems to be a step down in quality in comparison. No oil on the media, and sloppy cuts of the gasket material. Even had to pull some small strands of the gasket material off that was hanging loose from the filter. What if this got sucked into the engine?

I guess I had higher expectations from the...
  • Sad
 
an interesting option but I buy 3-4 filters at a time on rock auto at 1/2 the prices of local.
grab some cabin air filters... and
throw in some 1/3 price window wipers to save on shipping.
 
I bought mine in store and checked the quality. A few of them had funny looking foam seating. I got the three highest quality looking ones and I looked like a weirdo for inspecting each but I put them back in the package and back where they went.
 
TheOilWizard said:
I moved away from them about 2 years ago when they took a noticeable hit in quality.

T

Thread 'Fram Ultra Engine Air Filters'

Has anyone noticed a decline in Fram Ultra engine air filter quality recently? I purchased one a couple of years ago that was impressive quality for the price. Nice gasket material, wire mesh, and even what seemed to be light oil on the media.

The latest one I received a couple of weeks ago seems to be a step down in quality in comparison. No oil on the media, and sloppy cuts of the gasket material. Even had to pull some small strands of the gasket material off that was hanging loose from the filter. What if this got sucked into the engine?

I guess I had higher expectations from the...
  • Sad
Click to expand...
This was very helpful, as it is evidence that Fram has cheapened their Ultra air filters.
I will be looking for a replacement for Fram Air filters.

What is the general consensus opinion on Super Tech Air filters?

Also, I like Pentius oil filters. I saw their air filters for sale on Amazon. Has anyone tried a Pentius air filter and is it high quality?

Based on everything known at this point, which air filter is very well made, and has a high efficiency near 99% @ > 20 microns?
 
Last edited:
Bill7 said:
This was very helpful, as it is evidence that Fram has cheapened their Ultra air filters.
I will be looking for a replacement for Fram Air filters.

What is the general consensus opinion on Super Tech Air filters?

Also, I like Pentius oil filters. I saw their air filters for sale on Amazon. Has anyone tried a Pentius air filter and is it high quality?

Based on everything known at this point, which air filter is very well made, and has a high efficiency near 99% @ > 20 microns?
Click to expand...
I did a visual in-store inspection of the Ultra, PurolatorOne, Supertech, and compared it to my used Motorcraft for my EB 3.5L. The Purolator was the thickest and the only one claiming pure synthetic media. Next in thickness was the Motorcraft. The Ultra looked like a step down in quality and thickness, with the Supertech yet another step down from that. The prices appeared to closely match the observed quality.
 
Alien said:
I did a visual in-store inspection of the Ultra, PurolatorOne, Supertech, and compared it to my used Motorcraft for my EB 3.5L. The Purolator was the thickest and the only one claiming pure synthetic media. Next in thickness was the Motorcraft. The Ultra looked like a step down in quality and thickness, with the Supertech yet another step down from that. The prices appeared to closely match the observed quality.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the information on this. It provides additional evidence that Fram has cheapened it's Fram Ultra Air filters.

The scary thing about Fram is that their cheapening seems to be ongoing and continuous year after year with no end in sight.
 
I bought a crap ton of the Carquest premiums on clearance from rock auto and just used one to replace the fram I was running. The carquest are a very nice filter. No idea who makes them, but was better quality.
 
I've never liked Fram, they've just produced too much rubbish over the years for me to trust them. I use Hengst or Alco Air filters, but from what I understand Bosch and Mann OEM (but not aftermarket) are also good.
 
D1dad said:
I bought a crap ton of the Carquest premiums on clearance from rock auto and just used one to replace the fram I was running. The carquest are a very nice filter. No idea who makes them, but was better quality.
Click to expand...
Wonder if those Caquest Premium air filters were made by the same factory that makes the Carqest oil filters, specifically AFI (Advanced Filtration Inc). Did it say where those Carquest air filters were made on the box?
 
ZeeOSix said:
Wonder if those Caquest Premium air filters were made by the same factory that makes the Carqest oil filters, specifically AFI (Advanced Filtration Inc). Did it say where those Carquest air filters were made on the box?
Click to expand...
Nothing on the box but on the filters themselves. The air filters for the 18 rogue and 21/24 Altima were made in China. The cabin filters for the altimas were made in china, the rogue cabin filters were Malaysia.
 
D1dad said:
Nothing on the box but on the filters themselves. The air filters for the 18 rogue and 21/24 Altima were made in China. The cabin filters for the altimas were made in china, the rogue cabin filters were Malaysia.
Click to expand...
AFI has a factory in China and one in Vietnam. So it's possible the Carquest Premium air filters made in China were from AFI. The Carquest Premium oil filters made in both China and Vietnam by AFI are pretty nice and well liked on this site. AFI makes filters for companies selling under these brands.

1738709635833.webp
 
I was aware on the oil filters, but not on the air. Either way, they’re fantastic. I’ve got a couple of Oem filters in the garage and these are thicker but have a pleat or two less. Way better than the Walmart fram ultras for sure.
 
I’ve had less than stellar fit with after market air filters having a looser fit (with a resulting bad UOA showing higher silicon) so I stay with OEM air filters for a snug fit .
 
I used an Ultra for my car. Meh. The media was nice but the gasket was concerning. I went back to OE Toyota.

My preference unless it’s a simple panel/cartridge filter is OEM. Especially Japanese molded frame/fiber filters.
 
nthach said:
I used an Ultra for my car. Meh. The media was nice but the gasket was concerning. I went back to OE Toyota.

My preference unless it’s a simple panel/cartridge filter is OEM. Especially Japanese molded frame/fiber filters.
Click to expand...
They're garbage IMO, you made the right choice.
 
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