Napa dumping Wix as supplier?

[ensoniqman]

Just read in this month's Vintage Truck magazine that a reader mentioned Napa will no longer use Wix to supply their Gold filters.

They apparently are now using Baldwin and two other companies called TWD and Donaldson.

Thoughts ?

 

[edyvw]

Technically, it is not WIX, it is Mann-Hummel. MANN bought WIX only to use a recognizable name brand.

 

[Hohn]

Technically, it is not WIX, it is Mann-Hummel. MANN bought WIX only to use a recognizable name brand.

According to my local NAPA guy, it was because of the COVID shortage. Wix could not supply filters, so NAPA have been progressively moving different part numbers over to other vendors.

 

[GW.]

Light duty truck and car Napa Gold filters are now made by Premium Guard. These are great filters and are an improvement over the M+H Wix. The quality of Wix had gone down the tubes…

Thread 'Napa Gold 7055 C&P 4K oci'

Feb 18, 2025

Filter off 2017 Subaru Outback with 79k. 4K OCI. Had Napa FS 5w30. Filters made in china looks good to me. Nap gold went back on but that one is made in Vietnam with Valvoline Restore and Protect. I’ll post the C&P they next OC.

• jxthomps
• Replies: 12
• Forum: Engine Oil Filters

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[charbaby]

Two interesting videos on this subject:

 

[Hirev]

I used to use Wix a lot for years.... no more. Parts stores around here want a lot of $$ for them these days and the quality is not as good as they once were from what I've seen.

 

[Urshurak776]

Well, when MH bought Wix, then cheapened them, they could only ride on brand recognition for so long.......now is that time.

Us here at BITOG have known it for a while, but the rest of the world catches up eventually.

 

[4wd]

Two interesting videos on this subject:

He has a MANN bun

 

[Sayjac]

Two interesting videos on this subject:

Just being completely candid, when released I considered those vids more confusing than interesting.

As noted and old news now, vast majority Napa Gold spin on applications moved from long time Wix supplier to now made by Premium Guard. That said, Gold spin on also pricey as compared to other PG and PG made spin on filter offerings. Reasons for the change, unimportant 'to me.' Just a Genuine Parts corporate call.

 

[ZeeOSix]

In the 2nd video, he's calling the bypass valve the "drain back valve". And the rep says it's OK to have sloppy glue that comes off because it's on the "dirty side".

 

[GW.]

In the 2nd video, he's calling the bypass valve the "drain back valve". And the rep says it's OK to have sloppy glue that comes off because it's on the "dirty side".

Reminds me of the LSJR oil filter vid when they said the ADBV was plastic and called the bypass valve a one way check valve.

 

[53' Stude]

Reminds me of the LSJR oil filter vid when they said the ADBV was plastic and called the bypass valve a one way check valve.

Well we all know ya can’t fix stupid. Why I don’t watch lake speed jr or YouTube videos

 

[4wd]

Reminds me of the LSJR oil filter vid when they said the ADBV was plastic and called the bypass valve a one way check valve.

We’d have been better served to call them PRV’s bcs that’s the function associated with the engineered lift PSI (protection of the media) …

 

[SIPLOWGUY]

I recently heard NAPA Gold was no longer a Wix filter. I spoke to a long-time parts guy. He mentioned that as well.

 

[ZeeOSix]

I recently heard NAPA Gold was no longer a Wix filter. I spoke to a long-time parts guy. He mentioned that as well.

Wix was bought by Mann+Hummel back in 2016, who also bought Purolator. So they were just "Wix" by name after that. Now most of the NAPA Gold oil filters are made by Premium Guard Inc (PGI). Still might be some straggles not made by PGI depending on filter model.

 

[bullwinkle]

Multiple NAPA franchisees that I talked to stated that Mann just couldn't keep up, couldn't keep them supplied. I'm sure Sherwood from Royalty Auto is a perfectly good, honest mechanic-but he doesn't know SQUAT about oil filters!

 

[Hootbro]

I'm sure Sherwood from Royalty Auto is a perfectly good, honest mechanic-but he doesn't know SQUAT about oil filters!

To be fair, 99% of other mechanics do not know squat either and really they are not in the business of getting into the minutia weeds of the parts they install, just that they have a basic function of working. Their biases and misconceptions are just the same as most other consumers.

 

[loneryder]

Mann filters for Euro cars have always been very good filters. They made the Euro OEM filters. Don’t know about today.

 

[Trav]

Their Euro filters from what I have bought have been made in Germany. The Microguard select is looking like a good very well made alternative.

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[Fair enough]

I saw on their site the standard Wix is rated 99%@26 microns. XP is also competitive now, 99+%@23 microns.