STP oil filter longevity

[Jimmy9190]

I did do a search here, read about a dozen pages, didn't find what I am looking for. Most of what I did find was one group saying STP oil filters are complete junk and another group that said go ahead, use it , it's fine, etc. So I am not sure who or what to believe.

This is for a 2003 Honda Accord with the 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engine, 115K on the clock. It's my girlfriend's car, she doesn't drive a lot, 2 miles one way to work and back, grocery store, bank, church, etc are all about 3 or 4 miles away from her house. Once or twice a month the car will see a 50 mile highway trip to Orlando and back. Because of all the short trips I change her oil every 3,000 miles.

Oil change is due again now, and I was wondering about the STP oil filters they sell at Autozone. They have a $15.00 QS conventional/STP filter sale and I have a $20.00 credit on my AZ Rewards card, so the oil change would essentially cost me nothing.

I don't know if the STP filter for her car is an ecore or not, but am wondering if anyone runs the plain blue can STP filters for a 6 month oil change. How do they hold up? The filter mounts horizontally on the back side of the engine in her car, and I use 5W20 oil in it. Current fill is Valvoline 5W20 and I believe a Napa Proselect filter. If the STP filter is an ecore but it will still last and work OK for 6 months I may just try the STP. I just don't want any problems with it since this is not my own personal car.

Thanks for the help here.

 

[Silver02ex]

It's not an E-core for your Accord. It's the same filter as for my Civic. I would have no issue using the STP, E-core or not. It's about the same as Wal-Mart ST's filter.

 

[VRAY]

Nothing wrong with STP filters for regular oil changes.Not for anything over 5000 miles though.I have used them alot with no problems.

 

[bepperb]

The particular STP filter for that car is a non-ecore champ labs filter, the same as a supertech.

It's not the best, but it's a decent enough filter for your OCI and application. It certainly won't cause any problems.

That's not to say other STP's are good or bad, but I've cut open two of these (after use) and they were both fine.

 

[Jimmy9190]

I kind of figured it was not ecore because of the size of the filter for her car. Thanks for the info and I appreciate the help.

 

[mrsilv04]

Why not use a Purolator Classic, like on your own truck?

 

[motorguy222]

The non E-Core STP should be a really good filter,you should not have any problems with it.

 

[Jimmy9190]

Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
Why not use a Purolator Classic, like on your own truck?


Because I wanted to buy the oil at the AZ sale price and use my Rewards Card $20.00 credit, but AZ doesn't sell Purolator. And I don't need or want to use any of the higher-end filters they sell at AZ. I have never used an STP or ecore filter and since the AZ deal is a good price but includes the STP filter, I thought I would try it if I found out it was a good filter. I think it will be OK for the Honda but I won't use one on my truck, the STP for it is definitely an ecore.

 

[bullwinkle]

I personally use the non-Ecore Champ Labs Super Tech filters (same as STP) on my mom's Matrix for a 5K OCI, lots of short trips, whatever cheap 5W30 I have lying around, works great & the oil still looks OK coming out. For that short of an OCI anything will work.

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: Jimmy9190
Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
Why not use a Purolator Classic, like on your own truck?


Because I wanted to buy the oil at the AZ sale price and use my Rewards Card $20.00 credit, but AZ doesn't sell Purolator. And I don't need or want to use any of the higher-end filters they sell at AZ. I have never used an STP or ecore filter and since the AZ deal is a good price but includes the STP filter, I thought I would try it if I found out it was a good filter. I think it will be OK for the Honda but I won't use one on my truck, the STP for it is definitely an ecore.


My point was in using something that you're obviously already comfortable with using. Then there's no concern.

I feel that if I use it on my own vehicle, then it is obviously good enough to use on someone else's vehicle.

 

[Jimmy9190]

Well, as it turns out, AZ here where I live does not carry Quaker State conventional 5W20. So I was unable to take advantage of their $15.00 QS/STP filter oil change deal.

I did however use my $20.00 rewards credit to buy a new air filter and cabin air filter for the Honda. Both needed replacing and the STP air filters looked good and fit perfectly.

I wound up buying 5 quarts of Quaker State 5w20 and a Purolator Classic at AAP. I changed the oil this afternoon and the car is running fine. Even if AZ would have had Quaker State 5w20 in stock, I took a good look at the STP filter and it's just too small. I know the STP has a different media construction and whatever other differences and it probably would have been an OK filter to use, but I just prefer the normal size Purolator. I believe I will just stick to what already works very well for my truck and her Honda too.

Thanks for the info here.