Should filters be better packaged?

[Rick in PA]

Should filters, all types, be better packaged? For example, I just did an oil change on my wife's Kia. The oil filter is a Kia OEM and it comes stuffed naked in a cardboard box, not in a sealed plastic bag, shrink wrap or anything. As far as I know, most oil filters and air filters are like this too.

I understand it probably doesn't make a whole lot of difference, but don't most manufacturers try to sell you the filter based on "filters down to XX microns"? Wouldn't it make sense for it to be "sealed for your protection"?

 

[volk06]

The filters are only going to catch contaminates when something passes through the media. Cellulose and synthetic oil/air filter medias are not like carbon filters where they absorb things out of the air. The filters are in a box where there is barely, if any at all, air movement.

 

[salv]

the hyundai/kia filters do come with plastic covers for the thread end portions of the filters.

 

[Errtt]

I like to open the box and check the filter before buying.
Once - seen what looked like rust.
Another - wrong filter in the box. Was getting a quality filter and someone had slipped a cheaper store brand filter in the box - probably someone bought a store brand on sale and slipped a higher cost filter in the box to save a buck or two.

 

[trx250x92]

Probably doesn't make a huge difference whether wrapped or not ... but genuine Honda filters are sealed in plastic too.

 

[ls1mike]

Originally Posted By: Errtt
I like to open the box and check the filter before buying.
Once - seen what looked like rust.
Another - wrong filter in the box. Was getting a quality filter and someone had slipped a cheaper store brand filter in the box - probably someone bought a store brand on sale and slipped a higher cost filter in the box to save a buck or two.

This, I like to open the box and check it out.
Not sure how it is packaged matters.

 

[ethangsmith]

The Motorcraft filters I buy are all just boxed as well, so I check them thoroughly before buying. Our 4 cylinder Subaru filters at work arrive in cases of 12 and are sealed in plastic to prevent any contamination. Our 6 cylinder and "new style engine" filers arrive in individual boxes but have a plastic liner over the opening and the boxes are glued shut. We still visually check them for dents or damage before handing them out though. Our Auto Xtra filters at work we use for non-Subaru cars are like the Motorcraft filters and are simply boxed. We check them before use as well.

 

[95busa]

Always checking em. Sometimes they are dented

 

[Jakegday]

no, it would just add to the cost

 

[UNC017]

Theres absolutely NO reason to waste resources on more packaging for filters.

 

[Zaedock]

Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
Theres absolutely NO reason to waste resources on more packaging for filters.


X2. No need for extra packaging. Personally, I like to inspect the filter before buying.

 

[OVERKILL]

The BMW, Donaldson and Fleetguard filters I've bought have all been wrapped in plastic inside the box

 

[Eddie]

At least they could seal the cardboard box the filter comes in. That way, if it is opened by someone or returned you'd be able to see that.

 

[Donald]

I buy the Mobil 1 filters on Amazon so little chance someone monkied with the box or filter.

 

[Hallmark]

I am impressed by the cleanliness of the internals and machined surfaces of the OEM Hyundai filters provided by the shrink wrap of the filter's thread end.

 

[Klutch9]

Surprisingly, the cheap Driveworks filters have plastic shrinkwrap over the open filter end. That was nice to see. I have 2 of them in the stash waiting to be used.

 

[asand1]

I like how Napa pro select filters are plastic wrapped with no box. Personally I would prefer this with all filters I buy. I'm no greenie, but I don't like to be wasteful.

 

[Hokiefyd]

I did appreciate how the Toyota Denso and OEM Honda filters are shrink-wrapped, with no cardstock box. Low impact as they would say.

On the other extreme, the Bosch Distance Plus filter has that very classy clear plastic box. I bet 2 or 3 dollars of the cost of that filter are in the packaging alone.

 

[mechtech2]

People would probably cut the gasket if they had to slice off a plastic coating. Not always, but it WOULD happen.

There is no need for such a covering. Mechanics would despise it after a week.

 

[UNC017]

Before I buy ANY filter, I pull it out of the box (carefully) and inspect it. If I don't buy it, I put it back EXACTLY the way I found it. I would refuse to buy any filter packaged so that I couldn't do that without damaging the packing. Its bad enough that Fram Ultras have a sticker that has to be peeled up and then stuck back down.