OEM engine oil filters

[Ausfahrt]

I don't mess around with aftermarket oil filters any more. It's just too much trouble trying to keep up with what is good and who makes what. Not to mention when companies merge, get bought out or move manufacturing facilities.

Ordering online at my local dealership and then just picking up at my convenience makes more sense for me. It's cheaper that way too and if warranty issues arise, the dealership can't blame aftermarket filters.

This is just what I have decided to do and it works for me.

 

[Urshurak776]

Yup, that works, unless you have a Nissan. Only OEM filter I would say no way to. However, If you are buying them from the dealership, you shouldn't have a problem with warranty even if it is the cause of failure.

 

[dnewton3]

Well, that's no real assurance of quality for all brands. For example, the Motorcraft filters which were just mundane Purolators come to mind.
Like most things, it's up to the consumer to weigh the pros/cons and make a decision.
It's not "wrong" to use OEM. But it's no longer a quality assurance, either.

 

[Zee09]

Even oem filters are not consistent these days.
Nothing is in this global economy where the originating country of origin can change for as little as a dime.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Nissan OEM filters Grupo Gohner here are terrible as mentioned. If you can source a Asian version there still made by Mahle is my understanding.

Toyota is made still by Denso but in who knows what factory - so that and COO keeps changing.

No guarantees in life. I haven't seen a poorly made PG filter - either the O'Reilly Microgard, Carquest Premium or Ecogard have all been consistent.

OEM's don't make oil filters.

 

[skaughtz]

I guess? I agree that unless you follow this forum constantly it is difficult to stay abreast of who is making good filters and who is not. And going OEM means the dealer can't screw you over there. But OEM filters are still made by mostly the same companies. Honda filters are made by Honeywell, which is the parent company of Fram. Chevy uses ACDelco, which are Champion. Toyota uses Denso mostly, and while historically Denso makes quality everything (they are usually my first choice when buying parts), unless you are cutting them open how do you know there is not a problem in their production line? Etc.

I just tune in here every so often and buy whatever the consensus is for a while. I miss the OG Ultra.

 

[shortyb]

I hear ya on aftermarket filters, but I won't get OEMs at the dealer for my VWs. Since the Mann, Mahle, and Hengst are all available at FCP, are OEM, and much cheaper than even I can get with my (former) employee discount, I order online.

 

[SC Maintenance]

unless you follow this forum constantly it is difficult to stay abreast of who is making good filters and who is not.

Buy 3 or 4 years worth, then come back and ask again.

Keep them in the house which is temperature controlled - not in the humidity.

 

[GMBoy]

Do what makes you "feel good". Buying OEM filters from the dealership doesn't prevent you from what you are trying to avoid at all. The OEM filters are made by the same companies making the aftermarket filters.

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

I always thought I was playing it safe using OEM filters, Motorcraft for the Ford, Mopar for the Ram util around 2014 when my black Japan made Subaru filters for the USA market changed to the blue Fram USA made Subaru filter. I was not a fan of that by-pass valve FRAM design so I researched went with for a WIX filter as it had the old top by-pass design and the same speck bypass PSI my WRX needed ( now everyone uses that less expensive by-pass), design to save a $ I gues?

2014 was about the time I started seeing filters change in general and I felt like everyone has cut corners...
I guess long gone is the days of simply trusting a OEM filter or worse case one could always buy a well made North or South Carolina third party oil filter that you knew was built with some pride...

In 2026 can I still get a well made Gastonia North Carolina WIX? Champion Labs Closed the York South Carolina Harley OEM Oil filter factory a few years back.

I still say If we ever have a war and the shipping lanes go down the US is in trouble...

 

[The Critic]

I hear ya on aftermarket filters, but I won't get OEMs at the dealer for my VWs. Since the Mann, Mahle, and Hengst are all available at FCP, are OEM, and much cheaper than even I can get with my (former) employee discount, I order online.

The aforementioned suppliers do not supply the identical filter to the aftermarket.

 

[jadmt]

I have been driving since the early 70's and have only used OEM oil filters...never had an oil filter related issue ie never had an oil related issue or any engine issue. only issues I have had are ecm/computer related issues.. I have always changed oil early as well.

 

[Sayjac]

I don't chase/use OEM filters even under vehicle warranty. In my observation, generally speaking they are nothing special, with their efficiency being one example. Never been concerned about using aftermarket filters under vehicle warranty either, that in over 5+ decades diy. And honestly, even if one just occasionally reads this sub-forum, it's easy to keep up with what aftermarket filters are a good bet now, eg currently the PGI made filters an easy/safe call and recommendation.

All that said, I sorta get how seeing the vehicle manufacturer or approved supplier's name on the filter gives some the warm fuzzies. I'm just not one of those. I would add, this commentary applies to the most common filter type, spin on. Otoh, because of cartridges fit in housing being important, lacking more info, leaning OEM a safe call.

To each their own.

 

[shortyb]

The aforementioned suppliers do not supply the identical filter to the aftermarket.

Oh really?

 

[The Critic]

Oh really?

This is well-known across the industry. Aftermarket and OE parts are often produced on separate lines within the same manufacturer. OE parts can sometimes use certain proprietary tooling that cannot be shared.

 

[crashz]

I can relate to the OP. Part of the issue is that oils did not follow the same market upset that filters have. I can't think of any name brand oil that has fallen from grace or is total trash (even Brotella).

But in my lifetime I never thought Wix would be a bland brand. Same with Purolator. Never thought Fram would be shining star and fall back down again. I always thought Motorcraft would be a solid choice. And for what its worth, they are still priced according to brand name recognition, not quality.

You know the ridiculousness I perform now? I buy reasonably priced filters on Rock Auto, cut them open first and decide if I want to use them. I've found the Baldwin and Wix to be "Meh". The K&N Silvers I got for my truck are spectacular. No idea who the parent company is but they are a good quality filter.

OP I don't blame you. But it won't guarantee you get a decent filter either...

 

[shortyb]

This is well-known across the industry. Aftermarket and OE parts are often produced on separate lines within the same manufacturer. OE parts can sometimes use certain proprietary tooling that cannot be shared.

Interesting. Knew that was true for mechanical parts, but not for ancillary parts like oil filters since most of that is farmed out to big name suppliers. Can't imagine what the difference would be unless they cost less to make etc. At least the cartridge filters I use look identical to OE boxed ones. Never had an issue and what I'll be using for the foreseeable future.

 

[Fair enough]

Ford, Honda, Mobil 1, etc all seem to specify their own media blend. As far as I know nothing matches the aftermarket, based on scanty data thrown out here and there.

 

[wemay]

I don't know of one OEM that makes their oil filters in-house.

 

[grabgears6]

FWIW, I have used many OEM`s and aftermarket over the decades/years. My choosing depends on which filter best meets the conditions I run in. ie: cars/trucks, fast boats etc. But when it comes to my Subaru`s I run the OEM black can Tokio Roki made in Japan for the VB WRX, and now see that our dealership uses the black can made in Indonesia for the Crosstrek. Ive watched the vid`s and read quite a few threads, and the made in Indonesia filters are not as good as the made in Japan filters. As far as aftermarket, some touted Boss purolator filters having the only match to the OEM bypass setting. I believe is 23 psi. And WIX falling short on quality concerns.

sort of relative topic: Both newer Subarus have a service contract, me being retired from wrenching, I would like to live a bit and smell the roses more. But the most recent OCI at the dealer left our Crosstrek a total mess, no offense on newbies being trained, but this service missed the mark. Immediately afterwards I cancelled them touching my WRX and performed the oil service myself and inspections using OEM filter and Motul oil.
in closing, discussed my dissatisfaction with the SM, and The SM just told me to keep any records, receipts to show proof of when I do the service/maint.

sheety part is, its a decent dealership, motorheads like us that actually have modded WRX`s, and I get the trainee who wants to impress his boss and scream through a simple service, leaving what looks like a monkey was let loose under the hood, and smelling burning oil on the ride home...

in essence, Im open to an aftermarket filter solution that meets the OEM spec verbatim.