OEM oil filters??

[superchargedx]

I admit that I have only scanned this section of the forum but I have not noticed many threads regarding OEM oil filters and there quality?

I only wonder this because I assume that the manufacturer engineers have spent a lot of time and money to ensure that there warranty protected engines are using the proper filters...

Any info on the factory filters would be great (especially Mazda & Subaru)

Sean

 

[ZeeOSix]

I don't think you can ever go wrong by using OEM filters. As you said, the car manufacture engineers have ensured the OEM filters will do a good job on the engines they are made for.

Only draw back from some OEM filters is the cost.

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
I don't think you can ever go wrong by using OEM filters.
Agreed, and in some cases the factory-recommended filter is even less money, as in the Motorcraft FL820S at Wally's.

Be careful with non-OEM for a Subaru...apparently there can be bypass valve pressure settings that are very different than the factory recommends.

 

[GumbyJarvis]

MOPAR filters are usually more.

The thing is, with Mazda filters, you can go usually with the Mazda or MC variant, whatever one is cheaper, both are good, and Mazda & Ford are like Step brothers in a sense LOL

 

[4ever4d]

I'll throw in my

oem is the best way to go if at all possible. Always seems to be some debate about filters other than oem's.

 

[JustinC25]

Subaru OEM filters are made by Honeywell.
Just a rebaged Fram. They will never see my engine
Purolator, or wix for me.

 

[Hollow]

Originally Posted By: JustinC25
Subaru OEM filters are made by Honeywell.
Just a rebaged Fram. They will never see my engine
Purolator, or wix for me.



That is actually incorrect. The blue Subaru filter IS made by Honeywell, but it is not simple an orange can painted blue. The OEM filter meets they unusually high bypass spec of 23 PSI while the plain orange Fram does not.

Purolater comes somewhat close, but lacks the ADV of the OEM filter. Not sure about Wix having an ADV or not.

 

[sciphi]

OEM is the way to go for my Cruze. Better/cheaper than aftermarket.

The Fit has better choices in the aftermarket, so it hasn't seen an OEM filter since its factory filter came off long ago.

I'll use an OEM filter when it makes sense.

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: JustinC25
Subaru OEM filters are made by Honeywell.
Just a rebaged Fram.
By that logic, Mobil 1 and K&N filters are just rebadged SuperTechs since they're all made by Champ Labs.

I doubt there's any similarity between an OEM Subaru and an Orange Can.

 

[GumbyJarvis]

Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
Originally Posted By: JustinC25
Subaru OEM filters are made by Honeywell.
Just a rebaged Fram.
By that logic, Mobil 1 and K&N filters are just rebadged SuperTechs since they're all made by Champ Labs.

I doubt there's any similarity between an OEM Subaru and an Orange Can.


Supertechs were just rebadged STPs

 

[Hallmark]

My stable of vehicles is composed of a 2007 F-150 & 2010 Fusion and a 2012 Hyundai Veloster. For DIY OCs, only Motorcraft(by Purolator) and Hyundai(by Mobis affiliate) filters will ever be installed on these vehicles.

My research on construction, specs, materials, tests, features, price, etc. convinces me that these filters are best for my engines.

 

[Sunnyinhollister]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
OEM is the way to go for my Cruze. Better/cheaper than aftermarket.

The Fit has better choices in the aftermarket, so it hasn't seen an OEM filter since its factory filter came off long ago.

I'll use an OEM filter when it makes sense.


It helps when you get a great deal on the OEM filter!

I'm basically in the same boat as you are. The Volt will get the OEM filter when it finally needs an oil change. The Ford gets a quality aftermarket filter included in the oil sales.

I will say in most cases you probably cannot go wrong with the OEM filter, you might be able to do a litter better, but you can definitely can do much worse.

 

[KCJeep]

Originally Posted By: GumbyJarvis


Supertechs were just rebadged STPs


Actually not quite, the STP's have a better media material and more of it, but they are still junk in the e-core version. Moot point now that the even cheaper STechs are gone.

 

[CarbonSteel]

My Ford gets MC FL-820s filters that are tried and true and I paid $3.51 each total for them; not sure anything could touch the quality for that price.

The Azera uses Hyundai filters; they are about $8.00 each versus $12.00 for a Purolator.

The Elantra uses Purolator filters as they have more media area and are cheaper than the Hyundais.

I think that you could do much worse than the OEMs and by and large they are good filters.

 

[Sayjac]

Generally it's difficult to get a read on the efficiency of the OEM filters because that information is kept proprietary and/or just not published. The best information on several comes from relatively recent testing by Amsoil listed in the chart below. As you can see, not all the oem filters are created equally. The listed Honda A-02 is made by Fram and the Toyota most likely by Denso. The Toyota no endcap design efficiency shown confirms previous testing posted here by river_rat, that filters of that type aren't very efficient. And, that's being very kind.

On the plus side, the Motorcraft FL820S, the Mopar/Chrysler and the ACDelco tested quite well. In fact, the FL820S results finally gave Motorcraft users something they could point to positively, rather than the previous published spec of 80%>20um.

As for construction, the Honda A-02 is the typical Fram fiber end cap design and some ACDelco are ecore. So, it depends on the manufacturer.

Afaik, the Subaru oil filter pics posted here make it appear to be a Fram, similar looking to the Fram Honda A-02, but I've never seen an efficiency spec. Haven't seen much about the Mazda oil filter posted here, but there seems to be some different manufacturers as posted in this thread. A further google search of this site may provide more information.

Lastly, my comments are primarily referring to canister filters as shown below, not cartridge filters.

 

[cp3]

Good information.

That chart always makes me wonder what Honda and Toyota know that everyone else doesn't.

I have thought about using ACDelcos but they are almost the same price as M1s on sale here. And online purchace of P1s would be cheaper or even Classics that have a slightly better rating.

After reading the linked thread I may have to look into the Mazda filters, just for fun. I have the factory filter to open up too.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: JustinC25
Subaru OEM filters are made by Honeywell.
Just a rebaged Fram. They will never see my engine
Purolator, or wix for me.


Blue Honda filters are also like that.

 

[Hollow]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Originally Posted By: JustinC25
Subaru OEM filters are made by Honeywell.
Just a rebaged Fram. They will never see my engine
Purolator, or wix for me.


Blue Honda filters are also like that.


Did you miss the part where what he said was completely incorrect?

 

[Bruce T]

Some people have claimed that Honda and Toyota intentionally chose weak filtration because flow is more important. It makes no sense, since flow problems are rare in today's filters. I think they're just being cheap.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: Bruce T
Some people have claimed that Honda and Toyota intentionally chose weak filtration because flow is more important. It makes no sense, since flow problems are rare in today's filters. I think they're just being cheap.


I agree, it doesn't make sense because Purolator PureOnes (and many other filters) can flow way more oil volume than most engines can even pump out. For instance, an average sized PureOne can flow 10 GPM of hot oil and only develop ~5 PSID across the media ... well below the bypass valve setting.