Is Fram Extra Guard OK for synthetic oil?

[tina]

Hello everybody, I would like to know if Fram Extra Guard filter could maximize the quality of synthetic oil? Because I could see from the Fram website that the Extra Guard is designed for conventional oil.

Another question is that what is the difference between the Extra Guard and Ultra? Does Ultra justify the 5-dollar difference? How about Mobil 1 filter compared to the Fram Ultra?

Thank you so much!

 

[rummy]

If you're going to use a synthetic oil you might want to look at WIX filters or BALDWIN. Both are made in the USA and they are quality filters. For budget purposes a Napa Gold filter will do the job. They are made by Wix. The difference is probably the filtering material. Cellulose vs synthetic material. I might be wrong... I'm no expert. But just my .02 cents

 

[rummy]

Originally Posted By: rummy
If you're going to use a synthetic oil you might want to look at WIX filters or BALDWIN. Both are made in the USA and they are quality filters. For budget purposes a Napa Gold filter will do the job. They are made by Wix. The difference is probably the filtering material. Cellulose vs synthetic material. I might be wrong... I'm no expert. But just my .02 cents


you can find them in Amazon... and the napa at their website...

 

[SZR48207]

I think they recommend the Ultra filter for synthetic oil on the assumption of increased drain intervals. The ultra filters are built quite tough.

The extra guard are fine for synthetic as well, but what sort of conditions are we talking about here? A Fram Extra guard and a full synthetic oil and a 5000 mile drain intervals would be overkill.

 

[tina]

Thank you! I got Wix air filters for the cars as their build quality is exceptional! I think I will also try Wix oil filters!

 

[53' Stude]

Originally Posted By: tina
Thank you! I got Wix air filters for the cars as their build quality is exceptional! I think I will also try Wix oil filters!


Try a FRAM ULTRA or Tough Guard as Tough Guard has I believe synblend media and better filtering efficiency

 

[rummy]

Originally Posted By: tina
Thank you! I got Wix air filters for the cars as their build quality is exceptional! I think I will also try Wix oil filters!


Good choice!

 

[tina]

Thanks for your reply! Oil change interval would be 3000-4000 miles. What do you think? Good filter + synthetic overkill? Thanks!

 

[Oregoonian]

Originally Posted By: Reddy45


The extra guard are fine for synthetic as well, but what sort of conditions are we talking about here? A Fram Extra guard and a full synthetic oil and a 5000 mile drain intervals would be overkill.


Totally agree.....the Ultra has superior (IMO) filtering ability (one of the best). If your only doing 5k OCI.....a good conventional oil will do....with a mid-tier filter.

 

[Warstud]

Originally Posted By: Reddy45
I think they recommend the Ultra filter for synthetic oil on the assumption of increased drain intervals.


I bet this is the Correct answer.

 

[901Memphis]

Originally Posted By: Warstud
Originally Posted By: Reddy45
I think they recommend the Ultra filter for synthetic oil on the assumption of increased drain intervals.


I bet this is the Correct answer.


That's right.


They are tiered based on drain interval mostly but efficiency goes up too.

Fram extra guard 95.7% efficient @ 20 microns - rated for 5,000 mile intervals

Fram Tough Guard 99% efficient @ 20 microns and rated for 10,000 mile interval

Fram Ultra - 99%+ efficient @ 20 microns and rated for 15,000 miles (conservatively I might add)


What I and many others do is change our oil on a regular shorter interval and use the Fram Ultra but leave it on for more than one filter interval. I change my oil about every 6,000 miles but I'll leave my Fram Ultra on for 2-3 changes depending on how I'm feeling.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Originally Posted By: tina
Thanks for your reply! Oil change interval would be 3000-4000 miles. What do you think? Good filter + synthetic overkill? Thanks!


For 3-4K OCIs, conventional oil and Extra Guard are both overkill.
5-6K should be the minimum point in draining synthetic oil, unless your engine is really dirty.

 

[Rolla07]

Is use a napa proselect or supertech filter. My last change UOA was great with it and it costs less than Fram Extra guard and build quality is far superior. I dont know how some people say a Napa Gold is a budget filter...up here its 10$ plus..while proselect is approx 4$. I went for a Napa Gold on my next change since im going to push it 8500 miles or more vs my usual 5k mile changes. 5k mile changes im using proselects.

 

[tina]

Thank you for all your replies! I appreciate it! I think I will get the normal Fram one/Supertech one. If I have to extend the interval I will go for the better ones. Thanks!

 

[rapwedinger]

The real test is looking at a used oil analysis. The attached UOA is from my Honda Accord. It went ~8700 with a Fram Extra Guard oil filter, which is ~3700 miles past this filter's spec. Got a great report, though. Wear metals in the appropriate range. I think it did a fine job.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

rapwedinger
I'll bet you aren't first & last owner of your vehicles. I treat my $25K (17 years) investments better than. I would never run a syn/blend and cheap nitrile filter for 9K.

 

[Sayjac]

Quote:
The real test is looking at a used oil analysis...

Blackstone has said before and it's been posted here that they see no significant differences in any filters used and UOA results, especially as related to insolubles. Even filters with tears in the media have shown nothing remarkable in their follow up UOA results posted on bitog.

The orange can be used with synthetic oil. The question is, do you want to run a filter with a manufacturer recommended ~5k miles max and nitrile adbv with oil that can go 7500-15k miles as manufacturer recommended? With silicone adbv filter options available for close to the same price or not much more, seems pointless. Unless of course, one runs synthetic oil only ~5k miles as standard practice.

 

[kschachn]

Originally Posted By: Sayjac
Quote:
The real test is looking at a used oil analysis...

Blackstone has said before and it's been posted here that they see no significant differences in any filters used and UOA results, especially as related to insolubles. Even filters with tears in the media have shown nothing remarkable in their follow up UOA results posted on bitog.

The orange can be used with synthetic oil. The question is, do you want to run a filter with a manufacturer recommended ~5k miles max and nitrile adbv with oil that can go 7500-15k miles as manufacturer recommended? With silicone adbv filter options available for close to the same price or not much more, seems pointless. Unless of course, one runs synthetic oil only ~5k miles as standard practice.


Yes this. People on this board imagine a lot of things about a UOA, most all of which are completely unwarranted.

 

[jongies3]

Any filter is fine with synthetic oil.