We all remember the old Microgard Oil filter available from O’reilly auto parts store was made by Purolator (black with red label); comparable to their Proline and Classic oil filter. Then in mid 2010, we notice it came in a redesign box and inside was a filter made by Honeywell/Fram. Even if it wasn’t a bad filter, it was as good as a buy before.
Lately, a few white box Microgard started to show up (in Texas) and inside was a filter that looks more like a Champ filter; the same guy that makes STP, Royal Purple, and Mobil oil filter. Now, every Microgard oil filters (including the red box) in my area looks identical to an equivalent STP.
There has been some discussion about this but no hard comparisons.
Here’s the lineup; a Fram with old Microgard and a new Microgard with STP. The two Microgard looks the same but the new version is labeled with a sticker, not printed on like the old version.
It’s not until you turn them over where they are more comparable. You can see how the old Microgard’s baseplate looks exactly like Fram’s while the new Microgard is identical to the STP.
Here’s the Fram next to the old Microgard.
Here’s the new Microgard next to a STP.
The top of the new Microgard and the STP.
Best of all, the new Microgard (for this application) is made in USA. Even the paint is glossier.
There has been discussion of the Rank group buying both Honeywell and Champ or something like that. Not sure about the story there but the newer Microgard is a good choose again. But because it's an equivalent to STP, there will be some filter that have the E-core. This thread was just inform others about the new Microgard.
Lately, a few white box Microgard started to show up (in Texas) and inside was a filter that looks more like a Champ filter; the same guy that makes STP, Royal Purple, and Mobil oil filter. Now, every Microgard oil filters (including the red box) in my area looks identical to an equivalent STP.
There has been some discussion about this but no hard comparisons.
Here’s the lineup; a Fram with old Microgard and a new Microgard with STP. The two Microgard looks the same but the new version is labeled with a sticker, not printed on like the old version.
It’s not until you turn them over where they are more comparable. You can see how the old Microgard’s baseplate looks exactly like Fram’s while the new Microgard is identical to the STP.
Here’s the Fram next to the old Microgard.
Here’s the new Microgard next to a STP.
The top of the new Microgard and the STP.
Best of all, the new Microgard (for this application) is made in USA. Even the paint is glossier.
There has been discussion of the Rank group buying both Honeywell and Champ or something like that. Not sure about the story there but the newer Microgard is a good choose again. But because it's an equivalent to STP, there will be some filter that have the E-core. This thread was just inform others about the new Microgard.