- Joined
- Jun 8, 2022
- Messages
- 5,566
Lots of threads on here about which oil filter someone should use or does use, even a thread with rankings. But given everyone has there own set of requirements, I figured I would share my process or at least what I think about, in hopes others would also.
This stems from using the Wix filters like 15 years without question - because someone said it was good and it was made in USA. When things started changing with them, I had to figure out what to use next, and I got a lot of help from very patient senior members like @ZeeOSix , amongst others. So thank all of you.
Anyway, here goes.
IMHO, there are about 8 things that can be evaluated on an oil filter. Many of those 8 may not matter to a lot of people. Here is my take on how to evaluate.
1) filter efficiency - obviously very important - except a lot of filters have no rating. The best seems to be some of the Fram's which are 20um @99%. Lots of people could simply stop here I suppose. OEM filters never have a rating, yet are good enough for the OEM? Can be confusing at best. I like to buy ones with highly rated efficiency, but I certainly don't think its all that matters.
2) ADBV - Silicon rubber tolerates heat and age better, so I like them. Of course Nitrile Rubber works fine usually for short OCI. I wouldn't likely use a 5 year old filter with a nitrile ADBV personally as they can harden over time, but many have without issues.
3) Center tube. Everyone favorite - metal tube with holes - including me - but there getting hard to find and usually cost more. E-core, which is a type of plastic core, had issues when it first came out, but no one has seen any issues for a while. I will use them for short OCI - but I expect only on a budget filter. Metal with louvers - fine in theory, but you don't know how well the louvers are open until you own the filter. I avoid them if I can, but its probably not a showstopper. If the filter louvers aren't open enough for you - return it.
4) Build quality. Likely the most important factor - but you don't know until you cut it open so how to choose? I pay close attention to the cut opens posted here - and greatly appreciate those that do it, like @53' Stude who does many. I avoid filters with consistent quality issues. Beyond that I don't know how you judge.
5) Cost. Duh. For some it matters, for some it does not. There are some great filters for cheap, and some filters that cost a lot more that aren't as good. Marketing costs a lot apparently.
6) Retailer. I buy from Walmart, or Rock Auto when ordering something else. Others buy from Amazon or their favorite parts store. My suggestion here is there are a lot of great oil filters but not very many great retailers, so if there is a retailer you like, just choose amongst the filters they sell.
7) Media. If you haven't read @OVERKILL media type overview - you really should. Having said that, with the lack of the Dondalsdon media availability, where all just relying on what the manufacturer calls it. All things being equal, I would prefer a synthetic - synthetic blend - cellulose - in that order. However given were just using what the manufacturer calls it, not sure I would put too much weight into it. Now go read this anyway: https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/whats-in-your-filter-media-types-explained.345164/
8) Country of Origin means a lot to me. Made in USA is superior. Made by friends in Mexico or Canada (are any made in Canada?) are OK in my book. I won't use anything made in China. Other places - it depends on what I get for it - cheaper, better, whatever. You should think this way. Unless you live in Australia for example. Then buy one made in Australia.
Things I don't believe matter, but might to someone:
So what did I miss?
How do you decide?
This stems from using the Wix filters like 15 years without question - because someone said it was good and it was made in USA. When things started changing with them, I had to figure out what to use next, and I got a lot of help from very patient senior members like @ZeeOSix , amongst others. So thank all of you.
Anyway, here goes.
IMHO, there are about 8 things that can be evaluated on an oil filter. Many of those 8 may not matter to a lot of people. Here is my take on how to evaluate.
1) filter efficiency - obviously very important - except a lot of filters have no rating. The best seems to be some of the Fram's which are 20um @99%. Lots of people could simply stop here I suppose. OEM filters never have a rating, yet are good enough for the OEM? Can be confusing at best. I like to buy ones with highly rated efficiency, but I certainly don't think its all that matters.
2) ADBV - Silicon rubber tolerates heat and age better, so I like them. Of course Nitrile Rubber works fine usually for short OCI. I wouldn't likely use a 5 year old filter with a nitrile ADBV personally as they can harden over time, but many have without issues.
3) Center tube. Everyone favorite - metal tube with holes - including me - but there getting hard to find and usually cost more. E-core, which is a type of plastic core, had issues when it first came out, but no one has seen any issues for a while. I will use them for short OCI - but I expect only on a budget filter. Metal with louvers - fine in theory, but you don't know how well the louvers are open until you own the filter. I avoid them if I can, but its probably not a showstopper. If the filter louvers aren't open enough for you - return it.
4) Build quality. Likely the most important factor - but you don't know until you cut it open so how to choose? I pay close attention to the cut opens posted here - and greatly appreciate those that do it, like @53' Stude who does many. I avoid filters with consistent quality issues. Beyond that I don't know how you judge.
5) Cost. Duh. For some it matters, for some it does not. There are some great filters for cheap, and some filters that cost a lot more that aren't as good. Marketing costs a lot apparently.
6) Retailer. I buy from Walmart, or Rock Auto when ordering something else. Others buy from Amazon or their favorite parts store. My suggestion here is there are a lot of great oil filters but not very many great retailers, so if there is a retailer you like, just choose amongst the filters they sell.
7) Media. If you haven't read @OVERKILL media type overview - you really should. Having said that, with the lack of the Dondalsdon media availability, where all just relying on what the manufacturer calls it. All things being equal, I would prefer a synthetic - synthetic blend - cellulose - in that order. However given were just using what the manufacturer calls it, not sure I would put too much weight into it. Now go read this anyway: https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/whats-in-your-filter-media-types-explained.345164/
8) Country of Origin means a lot to me. Made in USA is superior. Made by friends in Mexico or Canada (are any made in Canada?) are OK in my book. I won't use anything made in China. Other places - it depends on what I get for it - cheaper, better, whatever. You should think this way. Unless you live in Australia for example. Then buy one made in Australia.
Things I don't believe matter, but might to someone:
- Leaf spring or coil spring. IMHO, they both hold the thing together, and I haven't seen any recorded issues with either.
- Base plate. Can be thick or thin. Sort of indicates overall quality, but not sure how much it really matters?
- Gasket - thickness and material. Given I haven't had one leak other than operator error, I don't pay much attention. I do pay attention that its properly seated and put a little oil on it before I install.
- End Caps - metal or fiber. Doesn't matter to me. I haven't seen a fiber end cap failure post anywhere here. Still some don't like them, so choose something else if you don't - its your money.
- Mileage rating. I have no idea how this is defined and most filters don't even have a number, so again, not sure how to compare. I run short OCI's. This could be really important for some. Its not important to me at all. Use your own judgement.
So what did I miss?
How do you decide?
