New Fram 2x Extra Guard Oil Filter

[The Critic]

The newly repackaged Extra Guard Oil Filters with the 2x labeling is apparently an upgraded filter. According to the Fram tech expert I spoke with this morning, not only is the 2x printing part of a rebranding campaign, but the filter media has been upgraded to provide additional filtration capabilities. The same changes are slowly being implemented with the Air Filter line-up as well.

Just an FYI to other Fram fans...

 

[JHZR2]

kind of like their old triax fibers?

 

[Burt]

I thought about starting a thread discussing whether it is more important to put you money into a better oil filter than the oil.

My feeling is the filter is more important.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: Burt
I thought about starting a thread discussing whether it is more important to put you money into a better oil filter than the oil.

My feeling is the filter is more important.

Filter has minimal impact for most service intervals. Just look at the Bob Shaffer study and the advancements in filter technology over the years.

 

[AuthorEditor]

Quote:
My feeling is the filter is more important.


OT, but I'd vote oil. Remember, older cars, like VWs, didn't even have oil filters. They just changed the oil more frequently. Think of it this way, you could screw an empty oil filter canister on and run your engine for years and probably 100,000 miles with no oil filter in the can, but I bet you wouldn't get 10 miles with no oil in the engine.

 

[AuthorEditor]

On the Web site the Extra Guard has a 3X label showing, not a 2X. Fram Extra Guard

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: AuthorEditor
On the Web site the Extra Guard has a 3X label showing, not a 2X. Fram Extra Guard

Sorry, I was thinking about the air filters.

But it is important to note that 5,000 miles IS the recommended service life for the Extra Guard oil filters.

 

[Burt]

Originally Posted By: AuthorEditor
Quote:
My feeling is the filter is more important.


OT, but I'd vote oil. Remember, older cars, like VWs, didn't even have oil filters. They just changed the oil more frequently. Think of it this way, you could screw an empty oil filter canister on and run your engine for years and probably 100,000 miles with no oil filter in the can, but I bet you wouldn't get 10 miles with no oil in the engine.


I don't think that is a good analogy. Elsewhere on this site is anecdotal evidence that you can drive about 40k miles in a new car before it will seize up due to lack of oil. If you top it off, it will go about 70k miles. Changing the oil and filter regularly gets you from 70k miles to 300k.

The question is: if you were limited to say $750 for oil and filters over the life of the car, what oil and filter would you use to get the maximum engine life? Would you keep the oil in longer and just change filters or keep the filter on and change the oil? I know some will respond that they would not skimp on either, but this is theoretical discussion on bang for the buck. Should I start a new thread of this?

 

[djb]

It leads to the fundamental question: what is the reason for changing the oil filter?

Most filters are replaced far before their filtration capacity is reached. And if that really becomes the limit, a bigger canister and more media is an answer on many cars -- and usually a bigger filter has the same price.

Remember those tiny fuel filters that were replaced seemingly every oil change? We now have big filters that have plenty of life left when you cut them open after 100K miles.

Sure, oil is a little different, but are we really stressing the filter that much? Are we right at the edge of usable life even with a 15K change interval? It more likely that it's structurally degrading (because the filter is built like a consumable) than the filter media being full or clogged.


I understand that filters are cheap, and it's easily cost-effect to replace them. But if we were service time or cost constrained, a filter change would likely be at the top of the list to be skipped.

 

[Burt]

I wasn't thinking that oil filters stop doing their job because they are "full". I am thinking that some filters do a better job of capturing small contaminants than others. And that filters that capture smaller particles result in less wear.

 

[crazyoildude]

i wont use them
I will stick to my group 7 or wix

 

[yaris0128]

I agree with you there.

All oil these days is great stuff and there are still plenty of poor quality filters. So without a good filter your expensive PU or M1EP isnt worth a [censored].

Originally Posted By: Burt
I thought about starting a thread discussing whether it is more important to put you money into a better oil filter than the oil.

My feeling is the filter is more important.

 

[Spyder7]

Originally Posted By: yaris0128
I agree with you there.

All oil these days is great stuff and there are still plenty of poor quality filters. So without a good filter your expensive PU or M1EP isnt worth a [censored].

Originally Posted By: Burt
I thought about starting a thread discussing whether it is more important to put you money into a better oil filter than the oil.

My feeling is the filter is more important.


+1. Sums it up well.

-Spyder

 

[crazyoildude]

i wont use em

 

[Spyder7]

Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
i wont use em


Ditto.

-Spyder

 

[901Memphis]

I am going to avoid all Fram filters like the swine flu and stick with Purolators

 

[Gary Allan]

I'd say that neither expensive oils or filters will do you much benefit if you don't get your money's worth out of them in terms of length of service.

Many refuse to ponder this, thinking that they're benefiting from "the best", but it's rarely the case. A top tier filter over a limited number of events is no more beneficial to you than a common one if you're dumping the sump in a short time. You're resetting the counters (accumulations) to zero ..starting over.

Now if you're stretching it out on both. Making them pay, then sure, go as expensive as you please. It's "carrying itself". Outside of special needs, there's just not much of a reason to go loaded for bear when you're small game hunting.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis

I am going to avoid all Fram filters like the swine flu and stick with Purolators


To be honest, I have NEVER had any issues with Fram filters in the areas of performance, QC, or fitment.

I cannot say the same about filters from Purolators and Wix filters. I have had fitment issues from Wix filters and QC issues (peeling paint) from Purolators. Fram has never disappointed me in those areas and their tech line has been very helpful and honest whenever I have had any questions.

 

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: Burt
I thought about starting a thread discussing whether it is more important to put you money into a better oil filter than the oil.

My feeling is the filter is more important.
The air filter and its seal is the most important filter by far.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
I have had fitment issues from Wix filters and QC issues (peeling paint) from Purolators. Fram has never disappointed me in those areas and their tech line has been very helpful and honest whenever I have had any questions.


Fram has been using orange paint for so long, they probably know more about bonding paint to metal than most paint manufacturers.