Fram X2 -- cleaner oil?

[Triple_Se7en]

Mobil Drive Clean 5000 and Mobil-1 EP are somewhat new. Have you been using the regular Drive Clean and regular M-1 in any prior OCIs?

I have no experience with Toyota OEM or Fram X2 filters.

 

[newtoncd8]

Our RX330 has 39,500 miles on it and since 5,000 miles, I had been using "regular" Mobil 1 5W30.

 

[Ugly3]

I vote for jumping to conclusions.

 

[T-Keith]

Does a filter filter out the size of particles that change an oils color? Many oils are dark from the start these days, are you using the same oil as last time?

-T

 

[Big O Dave]

One time we poured a Coke Classic through a Brita filter, and it came out clear, uncarbonated and without taste.

That Fram X2 would be one heck of a filter if it could duplicate that feat with motor oil... imagine the GC devotee who pours his treasured green into his engine, starts it up, and checks his oil, only to find it clear instead of green!

One can only guess what kind of havoc that would cause!

 

[2004 F150 4x4]

I would say go back to regular Mobil 1 and try thr X2 again and see if it happens again. That would eliminate the oil variable. I'm with Ugly3 on this one.

 

[oilguy3]

quote:

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Originally posted by Big O Dave:
One time we poured a Coke Classic through a Brita filter, and it came out clear, uncarbonated and without taste.

That Fram X2 would be one heck of a filter if it could duplicate that feat with motor oil... imagine the GC devotee who pours his treasured green into his engine, starts it up, and checks his oil, only to find it clear instead of green!

One can only guess what kind of havoc that would cause!

---

Perish the thought!!!

I have green GC running throught an X2 right now (and thankfully it's still green). I love the X2 but I think Fram is discontinuing its production. The only place I could ever find it was Walmart and now the filter is scarce in these parts.

 

[Jonny Z]

quote:

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I love the X2 but I think Fram is discontinuing its production. The only place I could ever find it was Walmart and now the filter is scarce in these parts.

---

Really? Why? To keep up its trashy reputation?

 

[Alex P.]

Yeah, the X2 is pricey and never really caught on. But at least it has a good filter media, even if it has other issues that shouldn't exist in a real premium filter. I wouldn't be surprised if it disappears from shelves altogether. People like brand name, and couldn't care less about model, so you sell cheapy orange cans left and right. Think about how many people buy overpriced lowend Sony garbage at Best Buy, just because it is Sony.

 

[pscholte]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Big O Dave:
One time we poured a Coke Classic through a Brita filter, and it came out clear, uncarbonated and without taste.

That Fram X2 would be one heck of a filter if it could duplicate that feat with motor oil... imagine the GC devotee who pours his treasured green into his engine, starts it up, and checks his oil, only to find it clear instead of green!

One can only guess what kind of havoc that would cause!

---

Never gonna happen...the X2 is more likely to turn green then the GC is going to turn clear.

 

[newtoncd8]

Last trip at Wal-Mart, I decided to try the Fram X2 filter for my wife's 04 RX330. I am running it with 3 quarts of Mobil 5000 and 2 quarts of Mobil 1 EP (all 5W30). FYI: The vehicle doesn't use a drop of oil in a 5,000 mile interval.

Typically, I change the oil at 5,000 mile intervals and her vehicle is about ready to hit 5,000 miles with the X2 filter.

The thing is, the oil on the dipstick is less black than other times with the Toyota OEM filter. Normally, the oil is very black on the dipstick, but with the X2 it isn't near as dark.

So, I know from previous discussions, an oil's color can't tell you everything, but could this mean the Fram X2 is keeping the oil cleaner or am I jumping to conclusions?

 

[newtoncd8]

Went back to Mobil 1 EP and Mobil 1 oil filter tonight.

I called Fram today to see if the X2 can make it to 10,000 miles and the guy on the phone wouldn't give me a straight answer. He kept on saying Lexus doesn't have a 10,000 mile interval, so then I told him I was inquiring about my Audi A4 which does call for a 10,000 mile interval. Then, he wouldn't commit and said, anything beyond 7,000 miles was beyond the X2's design.

So, I am going with the Mobil 1 filter ... I tried to hold out for the new EP filter, but Autozone is still carrying the old one.

 

[T-Keith]

Funny, my 85 Buick Somerset Regal owners manual says for normal service to change the oil at 7500 miles and the filter every other oil change. So apparently AC thinks their filter are good for more then 7000 miles.

-T

 

[Gary Allan]

T, can you quote the recommendation ver betum? I think it has a couple of holes in it (for interpretation).

Let's say you did 7500 in 7 months. You would probably do the "every other" filter change. If you didn't do 7500 in one year, you would change both every 6 months. Basically I think it implies that the filter will be changed at least once in a given year if mileage is used for the determining factor for the OCI. If time is used for the OCI, regardless of mileage, then it is changed every OCI.

The way it's worded (from other posts) is that you would change the filter at one year regardless of the mileage on the oil ..even if that filter may only have 12.5k on it ..and the oil 5k on it.

But I agree that AC/GM feel that if you're a higher mileage driver (that uses mileage as an OCI factor) that loading of the filter isn't an issue for the majority of that time. I'm sure near the end of the second OCI that the filter is loaded.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Since the EP supposedly contains more cleaning power than the regular M-1, then the oil should possibly be darker than before... not lighter. Since it's lighter, then that seems to indicate the Fram X2 may filter better than the Toyota OEM filter.

 

[T-Keith]

85 Somerset Regal service manual:

severe service - "Change engine oil and filter every 3'000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first."

normal service - "Change engine oil every 7,500 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. Change engine oil filter at first oil change, then every other oil change if mileage determines when you change the oil. If time determines change intervals, change the filter with each oil change."

-T

 

[Gary Allan]

Thank you!

 

[T-Keith]

So it seems that under the right conditions, you could go 1 year on the same filter OR 15,000 miles.

That's also up to 7500 miles on SF quality motor oil with a 3 quart sump.

Interestingly the back of the owners manual lists that the first two changes were with 10w40, even though it's not a recommended viscosity.

-T

 

[newtoncd8]

Since the EP supposedly contains more cleaning power than the regular M-1, then the oil should possibly be darker than before... not lighter. Since it's lighter, then that seems to indicate the Fram X2 may filter better than the Toyota OEM filter.


Kind of what I was thinking also. But, if it is true the X2 is going to be phased out of production, I just decided to go with the Mobil 1 filter ... I am going to run a 10,000 mile interval and will do an analysis with Terry at that time.

 

[Winston]

I too am using a Fram X2 and noticed that the oil was staying less dark than previously. However, I also changed from Mobil 1 to Castrol Full syn 10W30. Yes, I know I am using everything that Bitog hates. I was not going to comment on the "cleaner" oil which I suspect is from the Fram X2, but now that someone else noticed it I had to chime in.

One thing I love about the X2 is the mesh backing. I think it helps prevent the filter material from "pinching" together which would restrict flow. I am considering doing a particle count on the oil from this filter, but there really is not much to compare it to.