Wasn't even aware that STP had a "premium" filter these days, an AutoZone thingy, but from their website they appear comparable in build, quality and intent to other mainstream brands such as Fram, Purolator, Wix, etc. Trippy red media paper, a cool marketing trick, although it'd be easier to judge dirt load on a white media. I do recall seeing the standard (non-premium) STP air filters at AutoZone years ago, and how lightweight, flimsy and unimpressive they were. You could literally hold an STP and Fram in your two hands and feel a weight difference. STP claims their premium air filters have a dirt capacity of twice their standard filters, which doesn't reflect well on the latter. So I'd avoid standard STP oil/air filters, but their premiums seem fine. I too would likely stick to brands that mirror the OEM design (you mentioned "fingers"), not that the others won't necessarily work well. The Wix would of course work fine too. If one is substantially cheapest between the OEM, Wix and STP, that's your clear choice. People seem confused as to STP origin, with suspected manufacturers including AAF International, Champion Labs, Premium Guard, and First Brands, although I believe they're likely another surprise venture by my neighbor's wicked-smart German Shepherd, made in his expansive doghouse. His raccoon workforce provides the needed opposable thumbs.
