Oil Filters---Stock

[Kira]

I've always thought that there are production runs of the "same filter" bearing different brand names and paint jobs made by the same company.
The factor was that setting up the machinery to one size and leaving it there was more efficient, therefore more profitable.
Should I be correct (no guarantee there) we'd see the same size of oil filter from different companies on the shelves.
It'd result in a patchy restocking of shelves.

There's no doubt in my mind that the industry is taking note of premiums being paid for what's on hand.

I wouldn't be surprised if the manufacturers who are in business and get swamped with orders, resort to cheapening their products.
What's to stop them?

 

[SC Maintenance]

I've always thought that there are production runs of the "same filter" bearing different brand names and paint jobs made by the same company.
The factor was that setting up the machinery to one size and leaving it there was more efficient, therefore more profitable.
Should I be correct (no guarantee there) we'd see the same size of oil filter from different companies on the shelves.
It'd result in a patchy restocking of shelves.

There's no doubt in my mind that the industry is taking note of premiums being paid for what's on hand.

I wouldn't be surprised if the manufacturers who are in business and get swamped with orders, resort to cheapening their products.
What's to stop them?

Ultimately, but that usually requires re-qualifying suppliers and such and takes some time.

I suspect you will see a price increase first - probably as soon as stock starts arriving.

 

[Snagglefoot]

For my 6.0 LS and son’s 4.8 LS, I have an OE Plus from Champ, an OE Plus Pro from PG and a NAPA Gold from PG. I’ll see what transpires before I buy more.

 

[iCurious]

Was going to change the oil and had one filter left so was going to check to see if I should stop by Walmart some time. Checked 3 stores and they're basically out of stock for a Forester and Corolla in Fram and Super Tech. Uh...ok? Is that due to the Fram bankruptcy? Supply chain? Hadn't really checked, but is this a recent thing or local to my area?

This is why I am moving back to Toyota OE for about $4 each when it's on sale.

 

[HowAboutThis]

This is why I am moving back to Toyota OE for about $4 each when it's on sale.

Yeah, I think last I checked they were around $6-8 here. O'Reilly's is close to me, so I'll save a buck or two and 30 minutes roundtrip and use Microgards unless they raise the price. I've never been into the $500 oil filters. Plenty of cars going strong with quickie lube jobbers.

 

[Mackelroy]

Microgard is $5.99. That's my next option. Or OEM. I think they might be under $10. I ain't paying $10+ for an oil filter when the oil from Costco is $3/qt...

Thats the cheap ones, better ones $11 the MSL line


nothing wrong with Toyota oem, but they dont fit my oil wrench very well.

 

[Hootbro]

I know some people have an aversion to keeping a "stash" in reserve, but it seems more and more that expecting a brick and mortar to have what you want the day of or few days before need is becoming more problematic.

RockAuto even with their shipping factored in, getting like 4-6 filters will many times beat the retail pricing per unit of the filter in a brick and mortar.

 

[MrBubba]

Just grab a Mobil 1 filter and be done with it, that is what I am running until GM decides who the new supplier is for AC Delco.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Thats the cheap ones, better ones $11 the MSL line

MicroGard Selects (MSL modles) are $9.99 at my local O'Reilly's.

 

[Mackelroy]

MicroGard Selects (MSL modles) are $9.99 at my local O'Reilly's.

I was estimating, maybe it is 9.99 , its in that general area.

 

[thetricky]

Was going to change the oil and had one filter left so was going to check to see if I should stop by Walmart some time. Checked 3 stores and they're basically out of stock for a Forester and Corolla in Fram and Super Tech. Uh...ok? Is that due to the Fram bankruptcy? Supply chain? Hadn't really checked, but is this a recent thing or local to my area?

I don’t believe it is isolated. Two Walmarts near me were bare save for a small selection of Mobil 1 filters and some leftover Fram endurance cartridges. Maybe two supertech part numbers lol!

 

[thetricky]

I find it sort of interesting that the world's largest retailer cannot keep the OEM and other brands stocked given they had to know Fram was on rough times.

What ever happened to their deal with Purolator. Not that I would buy one - but you think they would be lining the shelves with that turd.

The gold purolators came and went super fast at my Walmart. Strange times!

 

[NavyVet88]

The gold purolators came and went super fast at my Walmart. Strange times!

Gold purolator’s and the niche sized Fram Ultra’s are about all my Walmart has on the shelf with a few Mobil 1 oils.

 

[thetricky]

Gold purolator’s and the niche sized Fram Ultra’s are about all my Walmart has on the shelf with a few Mobil 1 oils.

Sounds like Walmart has dropped the ball on filter acquisition according to comments in this thread.

 

[Hootbro]

Sounds like Walmart has dropped the ball on filter acquisition according to comments in this thread.

Little hard to plan around when the maker of the best selling brand, house brand and few of the OEM brands they carry goes belly up bankrupt. Takes a bit of time to get replacement suppliers on board, pricing negotiated and inventory back filled replaced.

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

Interesting times we are in when it comes to all things oil filters, Who would have ever thought that sea of orange would ever disappear...

I think it was 44 years ago I changed my first oil filter. Looking back over those 40 years, problems I have had with quick lube places to troubles with cars in general I can say in those 40 years, a OEM oil filter was always a good option and something I could most always count on.

Honda, Toyota, GM, Ford, Mercedes, Volvo, Ram ( Cummins ) Dodge, VW, Subaru, Harley over 40 years when I owned ALL of those brands car or trucks I knew I could drive to that dealer parts department, I may pay a premium ( not always as one dealer sells me parts at a discount using my business) but I always found the filter I needed in stock, I never had a OEM filter fail ( I have had non OEM filters fail ). When I inspected that OEM filter it always looked to the eye well made but was simply a safe bet.

The ONLY time I questions OEM filters was in 2014/15 when Subaru America changed from the made in Japan Subaru branded black filters to the blue Subaru branded oil filter made by Fram as I felt the old Japan made black filter was a better product and a better design. I purchased WIX at the time for my WRX when the dealer stopped selling the black filters.

I can also say I see more and more dealer service departments becoming very competitive. My local Ford dealer has been offering 50% off If I choose his come to me mobil service. I sit on my porch and watch my Ford get a OEM Oil change, tire rotation and multi point for almost less than I can do it myself and things like OEM wiper blades are less expensive at the dealer than a auto parts store...

I once owned a Honda Van that had to have Honda blades or I would get a tapping noise that person at the parts store is the one how told me to go buy Honda, it fixed the noise issue...

OEM is always a safe option in 2026 when walking into a Walmart and seeing no filters as that just NOT good is but honestly my local Walmart has had NOT IN STOCK issue with EVERYTHING I need from Shampoo to distilled water for the longest time.
I can count on my local Walmart NOT having what I need at EVERY visit so I seldom go anymore.

 

[Mike_dup1]

fyi

 

[iCurious]

Sounds like Walmart has dropped the ball on filter acquisition according to comments in this thread.

I now see them stocking Mobil 1 and Purolators.

 

[Jimmy_Russells]

fyi

View attachment 332984

They were purchased by venture capital... Not exactly unforeseen what would happen.

 

[MrBubba]

I now see them stocking Mobil 1 and Purolators.

Walmart has always stocked Mobil 1 filters, the reason they stock Purolator Gold is because Mobil 1 switched to a different manufacturer instead of sticking with M+H so instead of losing shelf space/income M+H took the old Mobil 1 filter and rebranded it.