Oil filters from lube shops... how good are they??

[accent2012]

I know there are a lot of discussions about oil filters you get off the shelf (ie. Purolator, K&N, etc.), but what about the oil filters you find in lube shops, like Firestone, Jiffy Lube, Mobil Lube Express, etc.?

I would do google and youtube searches but I wouldn't find any info on these filters. Anybody here know the ins and outs of these filters, their store bought equivalent, who makes them, etc.?

Right now my car has 12k miles with 3k miles on Kendall liquid titanium synthetic and Firestone oil filter which I had done at a Tires Plus. Car runs fine and the oil is still caramel in color, but was wondering if the filter is good enough to last me another 2k miles. I ordered an oil analysis kit from Blackstone and plan on sending this stuff in...

Thanks!

 

[dparm]

Honestly, there are millions of cars that go to nothing but Jiffy Lube their whole lives and they run for a very long time. Are they the best filters? No. Will they work? Sure.

You can always bring your own filter and oil, but make sure they actually use it...

 

[bepperb]

Most quick lube places use decent filters that are just rebranded Champ or Purolator filters. I wouldn't worry about any filter lasting 5000 miles on your car. I'd probably go more than 5000 miles before an oil analysis, but at least you can be pretty much assured to hear good news.

 

[InvalidUserID]

5K OCI? I wouldn't worry about it.

At a lube shop, I would worry about other things before the oil filter (under/overfill, overtightened/stripped drain bolt, stolen quarters, etc).

 

[DavidZ28]

Originally Posted By: dparm
Honestly, there are millions of cars that go to nothing but Jiffy Lube their whole lives and they run for a very long time. Are they the best filters? No. Will they work? Sure.


Absolutely. Parents '89 Camry 4cyl. 238,000 miles when they got rid of it. Jiffy Lube, Quickie Lube, Lubes-R-Us, etc all it's life, and no issues.

 

[PhillyJoe]

Interesting that the jiffy places may try to upsell a standard change to semi, high mileage, or full synthetic, but they only offer one level of filter.

 

[accent2012]

I threw Jiffy Lube as an example even though i stay away from them due to the stuff my friends experienced and former JL employees had to do.

I guess I'll wait another 2k miles then. Thanks for the help! I was just hoping that someone had pictures of insides of such filters

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Fast lube filters used to be absolutely terrible with 1/2 the media area of jobber grade (per knize family cut open pics). IDK how they are now. I wouldnt even drive within 100 yards of a jiffy or express lube. Absolute morons. Find a local indie mech and hook up.

 

[NHGUY]

I find that quicky lube places have very short lines of filters,making one filter fit a multitude of applications.The filter you may get may not be the right size as compared to the original or someone elses brand of filter.There are hundreds of filters,but these places arent going to stock that many.

 

[chainblu]

Last time I was in Orlando I saw several Mobil Express's. At the time they were advertising some sweet deals. When you're ready go to your 'quick lube' of choice, stop by and ask them what filter they use and it they know who makes it. Then ask to see one like they would use on your car. If if looks and feels solid, it should be ok. If they give you any guff about it, go somewhere else.

But yeah, to echo previous answers, generally even a cheap filter will go 5000 miles.

 

[BobsArmory]

Every time I drive by one of those places I just imagine the conversation between the lube shop and the filter manufaturer, "How cheap can you make a filter without getting me into a lawsuit? I'm her to make a profit and watch my stock price go up so I can get a big bonus at the end of the year".

I would even hazard a guess that many of the shops don't even use the oil they advertise.

I have NO FAITH in those places at all

 

[teambeechstreet]

We use Champion Labs produced "Service Champs". Cut one open alongside a Supertech and they were identical.

 

[bourne]

Not sure about anyone else but I know Goodyear ( company stores ) most of the time get their supplies from Carquest and use CQ red filters ( made by Wix on most models )

 

[Thax]

I know Jiffy Lube uses rebadged Fram Extra Guard filters , and Walmart's TLE uses Fram Extra Guard unless you ask for another filter brand.

 

[teddyboy]

Originally Posted By: NHGUY
I find that quicky lube places have very short lines of filters,making one filter fit a multitude of applications.The filter you may get may not be the right size as compared to the original or someone elses brand of filter.There are hundreds of filters,but these places arent going to stock that many.


When you realize that a good portion of the oil cooling occurs in the filter, a smaller filter could conceivably compromise the oil temperature.

 

[Silver02ex]

Originally Posted By: Thax
I know Jiffy Lube uses rebadged Fram Extra Guard filters , and Walmart's TLE uses Fram Extra Guard unless you ask for another filter brand.


Not all Jiffy lube are rebadge Fram. Some are rebadge Purolator, Champs. This all depending on the individual shop.

 

[Garak]

I suppose it depends on the quick lube shop. One shop near one of my businesses uses only actual Baldwins for the oil changes. There's certainly nothing wrong with that.

 

[Donald]

The places are trying to use the cheapest stuff they can and buy in bulk whatever they can find, be it oil or filters.

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: PhillyJoe
Interesting that the jiffy places may try to upsell a standard change to semi, high mileage, or full synthetic, but they only offer one level of filter.
That's because there's an overload of advertising for "premium" oils, but have you EVER seen a filter ad for anything other than FRAM? The general public is aware of different oils, but has no clue about filters.

 

[Caliberguy]

i bought a box of Performax oil filters that a lube place was in possession of-these are rebadged Purolator classics. SO, yes-they use good filters too.