Oil filter for the common man

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Wow, quite the responses! It's an 05 Mazda 6. Not aggressive, though I'll let it breath a bit more than my wife. Should mention that I do most of my shopping at advance auto, since that's close to me. I think that makes the fram tg the best choice. I've always changed filters at every oci, don't know if that's overkill? The Mazda I usually go with whatever synthetic is on sale (ducking). BMW I drive more aggressively and had used syntec or m1 until they lost the ll-01 rating; next change is Pennzoil.
 
For the 3.0L V6, I would avoid the Purolator made stuff. The standard WIX and NAPA Gold are solid mid range filters.

For the 3.7L V6, the Motorcraft is likely OK from the used filter cut & posts made here. The standard WIX and NAPA Gold are solid mid range filters.

I have done a virgin filter cut and post on the WIX 51372 and it is a good looking filter. This one trumps the Motorcraft FL-820-S. The FL-820-S has been known to tear and suffers from wide pleat spacing near the media splice. I have found rust on the end caps on the FL-820-S.

Choose wisely.
 
I don't think the Fram Tough Guard is overkill. Silicone ADBV and a separate dome end bypass valve with synthetic blend media. I think there are many Tough Guards in use. The WIX is less efficient but has more capacity. Capacity should not be an issue here.

Tough Guard has been selling for $6 at WM and the WIX $7 at O'REILLY.
 
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Originally Posted By: Stewie
Originally Posted By: BikeWhisperer
I got Fram Ultra Synthetic filters for $7.50 each and they will easily run your OCI 2x

That's $3.75 an OCI...a bargain


This!


I agree
 
Originally Posted By: KingCake
Originally Posted By: CT8
The air filter is the most important filter.


bingo


But is no fun to replace as it takes a long time until it needs replacing.
happy2.gif


Filter minder would be the best way to gauge it
laugh.gif
 
Originally Posted By: Oro_O
The other day I was in a Walmart and the Fram Ultras were $4.50 for my two applications (xg3600 and xg3593A).


That is a good deal. I'll have to check that out since I do use the XG3600.
 
Actually it may depend also on how many months the miles accumulate. The new ST for $3 says common man all over it, but maybe common man plus $3-5 for the Ultra is a better choice. For me, I change any filter every time, partly because I just want to as it is too long to wait. Maybe the man's wife could be asked what she likes, budget or deluxe on her car, then again maybe that's not so good.
 
Originally Posted By: Hessam

That's interesting.. XG3600 for $4.50 at Walmart seems like an awsome deal. There was someone else here who posted about getting an XG3600 from AAP for about $5. The XG3600 are also on sale on Ebay right now for $5.91 shipped, while all the other FU filters are in the $8 to $10 shipped. I wonder if there's some redesign or newer version of the XG3600 coming up, which explains why they are blowing out the old inventory on clearance.. Maybe the XG3600 is being redesigned to slightly shorter length like the FL-400S?


Funny you mention that; I held it up to a 400s and saw it was still the "old" height and not the new shorter version. Maybe you are correct. But the 3593a was that price, too, and none of them were marked "clearance" or like it was a special sale.

 
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: Oro_O
The other day I was in a Walmart and the Fram Ultras were $4.50 for my two applications (xg3600 and xg3593A).


That is a good deal. I'll have to check that out since I do use the XG3600.


At my walmart the XG3600 are ~9 bucks like the others. This sounds like a regional clearance/overstock price.
 
Originally Posted By: KingCake


At my walmart the XG3600 are ~9 bucks like the others. This sounds like a regional clearance/overstock price.


I guess that must be the case then - though I did not realize they customized inventory that much store to store. I guess I'll grab what they have next time I am near that store.
 
Originally Posted By: Oro_O
Originally Posted By: Hessam

That's interesting.. XG3600 for $4.50 at Walmart seems like an awsome deal. There was someone else here who posted about getting an XG3600 from AAP for about $5. The XG3600 are also on sale on Ebay right now for $5.91 shipped, while all the other FU filters are in the $8 to $10 shipped. I wonder if there's some redesign or newer version of the XG3600 coming up, which explains why they are blowing out the old inventory on clearance.. Maybe the XG3600 is being redesigned to slightly shorter length like the FL-400S?


Funny you mention that; I held it up to a 400s and saw it was still the "old" height and not the new shorter version. Maybe you are correct. But the 3593a was that price, too, and none of them were marked "clearance" or like it was a special sale.





Even better!

IF I could grab some from USA, I would only buy this until my engine died
laugh.gif
 
That's a really good deal on the Ultra.

I also vote TG. All in all, I'd say its my favorite spin on filter on the market in terms of build and price.
 
More limited filter selection than I thought at autozone. Only had Purolators (reg/one/boss), M1, Fram EG, Bosch, K&N, CQ, and a couple that I can't remember. Ended up going with the CQ red ($6). I'll pick up a few TG next time I see them on sale or at Wally World. More info asked above: It's the 3.0 V6, I change the filter every time (but if I could get an UG and change it every other, that would be great). As to what the wife wants, I'd rather she find me looking at porn than to know I'm spending my time on a site dedicated to oil.
 
Nola_mike - here are some cut and posts you might be interested in.

Used cut and post FL-820S
This is the worst I have seen.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4030290/1

Used (Torn) Motorcraft FL-820S-904121217
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...Dat#Post3994569

Unused Motorcraft FL-820S-909031527
This one shows the uneven pleat spacings which I believe are the beginnings of the torn media type failures.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3997575/1

Unused CarQuest R85372-A43301
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4002381/1

New WIX 51372
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4009590/1

I did notice the rather large and wide pleat space on the CQ Red that I cut. As to whether this will fail in use is another matter.

The WIX definitely looks the best.

I have yet to look at the FRAM Extra Guard, Tough Guard or the Ultra. Ultra has alot of fans.
 
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Originally Posted By: tig1
Wasn't their a Fram Ultra that failed at the seam. Leaked oil externally I believe. Here's it is.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4031573/1/Defective_Ultra


The OP of the thread you posted snatched a picture from another site and used it to start a post.

The original purchaser of the filter did not involve the supplier or the manufacturer of the filter and therefore an analysis was not done.

Many BITOG members suspect mischief or accidental dropping. Optical inspection at the manufacturer likely would not catch this failure. The purchaser should inspect at the time of purchase and the installer should inspect before installation. When there is a problem, involve the supplier and / or the manufacturer. I am sure Fram would have replaced the filter in keeping with good customer relations.

In any event I would expect FRAM Ultras to have a low failure rate because it is rare to see a bad report on them and they have a large knowledgeable following.

Other filter manufacturers seem to produce an over abundance of failure reports. Is this because they sell more filters? Maybe.

BITOG could serve the community better by logging all the cut and posts and producing statistics on those. So far no one has volunteered to do it.

Many BITOG members sing high praise of Motorcraft filters. I strongly suspect that certain MC part numbers are problematic just like the Purolators. I could not recommend an FL820S to the OP of this thread in good conscience.
 
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I just checked my local Walmart tonight after work, and all the Fram Ultras were in the $9 to $14 range (including the XG3600). $4.50 for an FU XG3600 is an excellent deal.. I wish my Walmart had that price, I would grab at least 2-3 of them at that price.
 
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