When I was first getting into cars the internet oil gurus were telling me to avoid the Fram Extra Guard. It even has the nickname OCOD.
It seems like the dislike of the Extra Guard was due to the construction. Now it seems like there has been a reversal of opinion on the OCOD. People are saying the paper ends function just fine, and the filtering efficiency is actually better than OEM filters.
What exactly happened? Were people too hung up on physical appearance or were there some product changes? Did the oil gurus get it wrong?
Opinion Reversal on Fram Extraguard
- Thread starter camrydriver111
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Why get a cardboard filter, when you can get a well constructed one, for the same money, from a different brand? That's how I look at it.
Yes people were scared of physical appearance and thought fiber.. Bad! Metal... Good!
It also didn't help with people abusing filters and posting dissections of the carnage with sludge in the filters. Smart people see an abused fitler, idiots see a bad filter.
Originally Posted By: 71Chevyguy
Why get a cardboard filter, when you can get a well constructed one, for the same money, from a different brand? That's how I look at it.
rollinpete
Site Donor 2023
Originally Posted By: camrydriver111
When I was first getting into cars the internet oil gurus were telling me to avoid the Fram Extra Guard. It even has the nickname OCOD.
It seems like the dislike of the Extra Guard was due to the construction. Now it seems like there has been a reversal of opinion on the OCOD. People are saying the paper ends function just fine, and the filtering efficiency is actually better than OEM filters.
What exactly happened? Were people too hung up on physical appearance or were there some product changes? Did the oil gurus get it wrong?
I think everyone was just hung up on the "cardboard" end caps. The truth is they are good filters for what they are designed to do. I just choose to go with the Fram Ultra since they are only a couple dollars more but can be used for a much longer OCI. They are also built like a tank.
Originally Posted By: 71Chevyguy
Why get a cardboard filter, when you can get a well constructed one, for the same money, from a different brand? ...
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2023
Don't judge a book by its cover, it does its job just fine.
It's like 20 years ago buying a new Toyota Camry for commuting. Yeah it's slow, ugly, and doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but it gets you from point A to point B without any grief.
I ran them for decades along with Mobil 1 filters before joining here, I never had a problem with them. Then I made the mistake of switching to Purolator filters, go figure. At the moment I'm only using Fram Ultra filters.
99.999% of owners do not cut open their filters, thus they don't know the quality inside. Quality is judged by how hefty and strong the filter is outside. Millions and millions of miles are driven and there have been no stories in the news of faulty oil filters. If anything the fault lies with the installation.
Run the filter brand you trust. No need to worry over nothing.
Originally Posted By: 71Chevyguy
Why get a cardboard filter, when you can get a well constructed one, for the same money, from a different brand? That's how I look at it.
The only reason to buy orange fram is convenience. With a little shopping you can usually get a 6pack of OEM filters for similar price.
For most folks that will be used in 3 years so it not "hording" just early purchase. Pair that with some clearance sale oil then... well... yes then you are hording. 
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a Fram Orange can, but I think they're overpriced for what they are. For about $2 more, a tough guard is a better value. For $4 more, a Fram Ultra is an outstanding value if you leave it on long enough.
But I don't think there is any filter on the market (tearolators included) that will cause damage to your engine if ran for the interval they're designed for. 
These are all my opinions and I do not certify their accuracy.
These are all my opinions and I do not certify their accuracy.Orange Can is and always has been real popular in the marine industry. Never heard of an engine being dusted because of one.
Originally Posted By: gregk24
I think everyone was just hung up on the "cardboard" end caps. The truth is they are good filters for what they are designed to do.
People, especially men, are very visual. Most people don't understand how a filter works and the metal endcaps "look" better to most. Wix expecially marketed heavily very successfully on that point and had a big part in the "flimsy cardboard" notion you will still find passionately espoused on the web.
Most passionate Fram haters are ill informed and can't correctly explain to you which way the oil flows, or how an ADBV or bypass valve works. Not a good source for filter information. Truth is there are some actual advantages to fiber endcaps which is why Fram originally patented them, bonding to the media for one is easier to accomplish than with a metal endcap filter. All the metal endcap really does is hold the glue anyway, but they are well known for breaking their glue bond on occasion.
Fram might save a little money using fiber endcaps, but they turn around and spend it on superior filtering media. Even the "lowly" orange can features a filtering efficiency that bests many filters costing much more. Isn't filtering what an oil filter is all about?
In truth I have used more Frams than anything for over 30 years. Never a problem. I have cut a lot of them and no "endcap issues" ever developed even in OCI's over 10k miles. Few people will ever go beyond that.
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