Fram Ultra possible use for 20k to 25k miles ?

[bbhero]

I am considering using my Fram Ultra for about 20k or maybe a bit more miles. My Altima has been very well maintained by myself and previous owner. Ive out the last 82k miles on her. It only had about 40k when I got it. Service records showed the previous owner never went over 3500 miles and at times went only 2800 miles between oil changes. I've done them between 4k up to 7k miles. So, this motor is very clean, burns a hardly measurable amount of oil between changes, any oil I add is what the filter absorbs, zero leaks anywhere, air filter is in good shape, two yrs ago I taped up an opening in the duct for the air supply to the air box which greatly cut down on debris getting in there. So with all this being the case does this sound like a plausible idea? I don't mind spending money on my filters at all. It's just that where its at it does make a mess. The less I have to take it off the better that is. IF it wasn't for me knowing how well taken care of the car was by the first owner, and how good the Fram Ultra is at absorbing containments, plus it holding capacity I wouldn't even think of doing this. But being as I know all of that.. It would seem like this could well be done and it would be all right. Just curious to what y'all think. Thanks in advance for any insights and thoughts. Now, back to my smoking St. Louis pork ribs on the grill right this minute

 

[AKhan87]

I don't see why not, I have done this on 4 different cars already, the adbv was still pliable...

 

[Triton_330]

Well, IMHO, I think you need to look at this through a different angle.

Rather than placing a "timer mileage" on the filter, I suggest what you do is set an amount of miles you wish to use on each OCI, and then say "I plan to use the Ultra for X amount of OCI's."

My suggestion is that you run full synthetic, each OCI being 10k miles, and run the Fram Ultra for 2 OCI's - that way you run the Ultra 20k miles.

So, what do you think, OP?

 

[bbhero]

Hmmm... Well my friend I am thinking about changing my oil every 4k miles so that would obviously be times 5 to equal 20k miles. That does work out well in that. I'm changing the oil that way due to 50% stop and go driving, rather spirited driving a lot of the time

and these VQ 3.5s are known to be rather hard on motor oil. That's kind of what I'm thinking.

 

[Doog]

I always change the filter and opt for a less expensive filter and change it every time.

 

[DuckRyder]

Cut Open Fram Filtration XG7317 Ultra 19,275 mi

 

[bbhero]

Honestly, Ive thought seriously about doing the EXACT same thing too. Only thing is... That darn filter is horizontally placed and causes a fair amount of drip down... So, I kinda like avoiding that. But, you have a very valid point and way if going too. I've thought about just running an orange can Fram 7317 and doing exactly what you do. But I already have a Fram Ultra on hand... So, that's the wrench in that idea.

 

[bbhero]

Yeah, thanks a lot Robert.. Yours did look fantastic. I noted that at the time you posted those pics. I really think these Ultra filters made by Fram can go longer in a known clean motor. And your pics and UOA proved it too.

 

[umungus1122]

Have done 25-30k on K&N "regular" type cartridge filter on a Toyota Camry 2.5 over 2 OCIs with syn that is a PITA to change(I'll take a steel spin on filter any day). Filter looked fine, no tears, could have gone longer. Have a Fram Ultra in now that will be going 30k over 2 OCIs.

I'd say use 2 syn OCIs and you'll be GTG.

 

[sicko]

You'll probably be fine, but why not just change the filter?

 

[CT8]

How do we make up these things?

 

[Greasymechtech]

You can go 100k on that filter. And, it could still look fine. But how do you know if it was doing any filtering?

Without UOA particle counts comparisons, how a filter looks is meaningless.

 

[bbhero]

Well yeah I dont have x-ray vision... Or CT for that matter. But I am not too concerned in a way because these filters can hold up to 26 grams or more. Hard to believe that a broken in mtor that has 120k miles would be shedding that much in metals. I know that Clevy uses the TG for 20k miles on known well taken care of motors and it works well for him. I am just curious as to what everyone thinks or has done.

 

[SatinSilver]

I was thinking of doing the same thing for the 2012 Camry and the 2005 Matrix. Fram prob rates the filter low at 15k miles so they can sell them at a reasonable rate.

 

[Triton_330]

Originally Posted By: bbhero
Hmmm... Well my friend I am thinking about changing my oil every 4k miles so that would obviously be times 5 to equal 20k miles. That does work out well in that. I'm changing the oil that way due to 50% stop and go driving, rather spirited driving a lot of the time

and these VQ 3.5s are known to be rather hard on motor oil. That's kind of what I'm thinking.

Ah, I see. Yeah I think you'd be fine doing that.

I understand, too, that like you said, your engine is known for being hard on oil... But, why not just make your OCI 5k instead of 4k. I'm sure you'd be fine doing so, with full synthetic oil and the Fram Ultra. That'd be 4 OCI's (5x4=20k) for the filter. I wouldn't advise going longer than that on the filter, though. Even though it probably could do 25k, I think 20k is safer.

Also --- Please remember to thoroughly coat the gasket with oil, and don't tighten it over 3/4 turn past finger tight. Frams are good, but, every one that I've used has managed to be a PITA to get off, as if the seal tightened from heat expansion.

~ Triton

 

[bbhero]

Yeah man I know all to well just how well attached the Fram filter can get if over tightened.. The dumb dumb typing this did just that earlier this year. I managed to get it off by hand but in the first attempt I hurt my right hand so it that took 2 weeks to heal. The second attempt I was able to get it off but I was not quite sure I was going to be able to. So, we will see. I may well run it for 20k miles.