Fram XG3614 vs. XG3600

[leeharvey418]

I’m about to do my first oil change on my CX-90. I just found that I still have a Fram XG3600 that I got for the CX-9 that the -90 replaced. The CX-90 wants a XG3614, but the bigger filter seems like it would have no problem filling in, as long as it fits.

Is there any reason not to use the -3600 if it fits?

 

[pbm]

My Ford Escape spec's the 3614 and I've run the 3600 many times. My Focus also spec's the 3614 and I won't run the 3600 because it hangs below the engine and I would be concerned about hitting something on the road. On the Escape the longer 3600 doesn't hang below the engine. IMO the 3614 and 3600 are interchangeable as long as it fits your vehicle and doesn't hang too low. Another positive is that my Escape 2.5 calls for 5.7 quarts of oil and with the 3600 I put in 6 quarts which brings it right to the top fill line.

PS: I'm surprised Mazda is using this filter # as our Mazda CX-30 uses the tiny 6607 filter.

 

[KCJeep]

I’m about to do my first oil change on my CX-90. I just found that I still have a Fram XG3600 that I got for the CX-9 that the -90 replaced. The CX-90 wants a XG3614, but the bigger filter seems like it would have no problem filling in, as long as it fits.

Is there any reason not to use the -3600 if it fits?

Very common and harmless upsize as long as you have room and clearance.

 

[fantastic]

Makes it a bit tricky to get the correct oil if you like going by what the manual shows but it should still net you close when filling. Personally, I just don't do that sort of thing as the OEM size equivalents do everything I need & it's not like those Mazda's are high wearing engines. I vote to just stick with the 3614.

 

[leeharvey418]

Makes it a bit tricky to get the correct oil if you like going by what the manual shows but it should still net you close when filling. Personally, I just don't do that sort of thing as the OEM size equivalents do everything I need & it's not like those Mazda's are high wearing engines. I vote to just stick with the 3614.

Yeah, I wasn’t planning to use the -3600 as a permanent thing. I just wanted to use the filter that I already have.

 

[BrendanC]

harmless over size. i oversize anything and everything i can and have yet to have an oil related failure. hundreds of thousands of miles of OCI’s on oversized filters.

 

[EvoMan]

I’m believe that you should always run the largest filter that meets your application. Generally speaking, more surface area is a good thing. Check out the link below.

Post in thread 'Filter Efficiency: when small differences aren't small'

Feb 28, 2025

1) The ISO standard seemingly uses whatever test flow rate the filter OEM asks them to use. How do you know one filter maker isn't using a wildly different flow rate than another for the same nominal filter? What if one OEM for a typical Honda spin-on says to use 3L/min and another says to use 5L/min? The test duration and injection rate are all scaled to these nominal flows which are not controlled by the standard. By my reading, there's nothing in the standard the precludes a filter manufacturer from sandbagging the test by using a lower nominal flow rate, because face velocity (flow...

• Mewbs

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[leeharvey418]

I’m believe that you should always run the largest filter that meets your application.

I tend to agree, but it always seems like one of those things where I’m supposed to look for the downside. I can never figure out why I shouldn’t run a bigger filter, but periodically, I have to ask, just to see if anyone has come up with a good reason.

 

[fantastic]

Yeah, I wasn’t planning to use the -3600 as a permanent thing. I just wanted to use the filter that I already have.

Makes sense to use what you already have then.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Been running the 3600 sized filters on my Tacoma that calls for the 3614. Mounts on top of the engine on the Tacoma, so the extra length isn't a concern.

 

[leeharvey418]

Yeah, mine is almost exactly level to ground. There's a piece of what I'm assuming is the front subframe that you have to reach up and over when accessing the filter, but it looks like the space "above" the filter is clear of that member.

 

[guybb3]

I use the 3600 on both my Yamaha 150 outboard and my Mom's Toyota Sienna. Both take a smaller filter and I have been doing this for at least a decade.

 

[Hootbro]

I tend to agree, but it always seems like one of those things where I’m supposed to look for the downside. I can never figure out why I shouldn’t run a bigger filter, but periodically, I have to ask, just to see if anyone has come up with a good reason.

The one detraction often overlooked in oversize filter discussions is that if the oversize is not cataloged by the filter maker for your particular vehicle application and if it was to fail, they have an out to not cover any warranty aspect or pay any damages that may arise from it.

Also gives the dealership service department something to point at as a possibly point of contention if you should have issues.

 

[Chris142]

Been running the 3600 sized filters on my Tacoma that calls for the 3614. Mounts on top of the engine on the Tacoma, so the extra length isn't a concern.

No timing chain or vvt rattle after sitting over night?

 

[ZeeOSix]

No timing chain or vvt rattle after sitting over night?

Never ... not even if the truck sits for a week. I have to punch a hole in the top of the oil filter when I do an oil change to make the oil filter drain. The ADBV has always worked well on the filters I've used.

 

[Chris142]

Never ... not even if the truck sits for a week. I have to punch a hole in the top of the oil filter when I do an oil change to make the oil filter drain. The ADBV has always worked well on the filters I've used.

I have. Not had that kind of luck. Especially with the OEM denso filters those completely drain overnight and the fj sounds terrible when started.