No more Wix for me (Wix is good, but . . .)

[TallPaul]

At least not for the Mustang 5.0. I went to buy a filter and discovered that both the Wix and the Motorcraft FL1A no longer have the threaded end bypass valve. So I looked at other filters and ended up with a Mobil 1 filter. Here is why. Take a look at how many threads are in the Mobil 1 filter:

Now take a look at how many threads are in the Wix I removed from the Mustang:

Perhaps it does not matter. Maybe the can would rip open before those threads give on the Wix but there is a nice feeling having the five turns of the Mobil 1 vs the three of the Wix. I think I have seen filters with only two turns.

 

[mrsilv04]

Better not get too picky... we're running low on brands of oil filters fairly quickly.

 

[Chris142]

Those are not reasons to avoid that filter.

 

[Zee09]

WIX is for kids

 

[fantastic]

Most filters have no issue getting snug enough to seal properly. The Mobil is a good filter though.

WIX is for kids

So how many you buyin'?

 

[TallPaul]

Those are not reasons to avoid that filter.

Wix is a good filter and would suffice, but may as well get overkill with the Mobil 1.

 

[levi]

WIX is for kids

Are you cereal?

 

[robbobster]

…not the fist time ford is stingy with the thread specs

 

[iCurious]

Are you cereal?

Silly rabbit...

 

[MultiLuxem]

nah, on these filters (at least the older styles u showed) the filter pleats could rip open before the can does. I've had an old mann-hummel made Mobil 1 filter pleats ripped with less than 3000 miles. What's even worse is the excessive glue pieces they use would also come off and float inside the filter. (I've had an earlier post on this, and other people have also posted similar issue) Some mann-hummel made filter would have a metal crimped joint, which would reduce the likelihood. But some of their filters do not have that, which is a big no no IMO.
(These issues generally happen with their synthetic-blend/cellulose media type filter. The full-synthetic ones like Purolator Boss do not have this issue AFAIK.)

HOWEVER,

The NEW Mobil 1 is now supplied by Highline Warren, and is much better made (The ones that come with a plastic seal). No loose glue pieces and no tearing issue (at least based on what I've researched).
There also seems to be a NEW WIX XP that is supposedly better made (they use different glue in the new one, and different filter media, with metal crimped joint).

 

[Vercingetorix]

Better send the end plates in for testing. I bet the Wix is better steel. Bob is the steel guy.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Cut it open

 

[kschachn]

My question is similar to what is noted above, are both of those plates steel or is one aluminum?

Additional threads in aluminum makes sense. The filter has to meet some minimum pressure test.

 

[RallyXaDSM]

IMO, Wix filters haven't been worth buying for about 5 years. That's when the Wix-olator era of M&H product consolidation got into full gear. The only filters that didn't seem to be impacted in the short term were more specialty applications like the 51626, which at least into mid 2023 I was still receiving with the original type of Wix construction including a base-end bypass valve. No clue if that's still the case in 2026

 

[ZeeOSix]

My question is similar to what is noted above, are both of those plates steel or is one aluminum?

Never seen any disposable spin-on oil filter base plate made of aluminum.

 

[Hall]

Perhaps it does not matter.

If it didn't leak, there is enough thread engagement, so it's fine.

 

[TallPaul]

If it didn't leak, there is enough thread engagement, so it's fine.

True, but still prefer the extra threads on the Mobil 1.

 

[ClutchDisc]

I use the Wix XP on my Forester and the Impreza I maintain for my friend. Mostly for the higher bypass pressure spec that Subaru calls for. Maybe it’s just this specific one, or the XP line in general but this has a lot of threads:

 

[OilStained]

Obviously it’s a personal choice. I prefer XP over the regular. And between Made in USA vs Mexico, I’m choosing USA.

 

[Oillover]

If it didn't leak, there is enough thread engagement, so it's fine.

+1
Anything extra is just a waste of materials (which inevitably increases cost).