Old Stock Fram Ultra, still good for 4 years?

[TrainingPolicy]

Did Walmart pick up and ordered a Fram Ultra air filter and I received what looked to be old stock. I called Fram and they informed me that they are the “exact same” as the new stock and I could run it for 4 years/40k miles. I’m skeptical because this one doesn’t come oiled like the new ones. Would y’all run it for the 4 years, or should I just exchange it for the “nonupdated” stock?

 

[MParr]

Run it! You could run it for four years however, I’ll bet that your owners manual states to change your air filter every 30,000 miles.

 

[ZeeOSix]

If the sealing rubber looks good, then I'd run it.

 

[3800Series]

I contacted Fram about the new redesign for these, they appear to have changed the filter media and I asked if they re-tested the filter using ISO 5011 they basically suggested it didn't matter (my takeaway) that 99% at 20 microns was the result?

"Good Morning and thank you for contacting FRAM Technical Support. While there were changes to the manufacturing process of some of the FRAM Air Filters, including some FRAM Ultra Air filters. The Specifications remain the same. All FRAM filters use the ISO testing and specifications. Efficiency is 99% @ 20 micron. The industry standard micron test size is 20 micron. It is the only size that should be used to compare filters, as testing at other sizes would not be an apples to apples test. Unless test results for all filters at all the micron sizes are available to compare. A 20 micron particle is very small, as any other "coarse" particles that are larger than 20 micron would be easily filtered out. (A human hair is about 100 micron for reference). The smaller particles in the 20-40 micron size are what cause the most wear to the engines internal parts. So an air filter that has a good efficiency at 20 micron is very beneficial. The FRAM Ultra Air lead the industry with 99% @ 20 micron. Have a great day and thanks for chatting with FRAM!"

Any thoughts from this? I'm not sure if they are indirectly stating they didn't test it, or that the ISO 5011 doesn't apply to automotive air filters. I know ZeeOSix previously emailed them, and the previous filter performed extremely well, just wanted to see if the new re-design kept to this level of performance.

 

[ZeeOSix]

My take of the email sent from Fram above means the Ultra air filters, even after any changes, still meet the spec they list of 99% @ 20μ. If I recall, Fram does use ISO 5011 for air filter testing.

 

[ejes]

I'd have no problem running it.

 

[TrainingPolicy]

Yeah, I'm running it. The owners manual states 30k miles regardless, so I'll change it before it 'maxes' out either way. I will give an update on the 1 year mark and see how it's holding up.

 

[silversport]

the box only has "up to...4 years/40K miles" written on it and the newer boxes no longer have that (as in your pix above)...

I wouldn't worry about running it and checking it like you would for any filter...if it appears dirty, replace, if not...don't

good luck with your choice

Bill

 

[Bettez88]

Anyone else notice the cheapening of the new ultra air filters? Looks like the extra guard in a new box. My Toyota 10190 ultra filter used to be oiled and have rubber, now it’s just like the stock air filter