Video - Best Oil Filter for Hyundai? Fram Ultra 9688 Missing Bypass!?

[john_pifer]

If it still had the wire backed media printed on the box, then it might still have it. But obviously, looking through the center tube holes or louvers is the only way to visually verify without cutting it open.

Perhaps I’ll cut it open after the OCI.

I will only run this oil and filter until the car has 5000 mi (I did the 1st oil/filter change at 1250 mi). Then every 5000 mi thereafter.

Here’s the box:

 

[Ronn]

I just did the first oil change on our new 2024 Elantra N.

Used M1 ESP 0W-30 and a Fram Titanium 9688.

However, now, after having used a Titanium, I’m starting to do some research and seeing references to a Hyundai TSB released in regard to aftermarket filters.

But I don’t know which vehicles the TSB is referring to, or whether the Elantra N is included in that.

A lot of people online tend to advise sticking with OEM on Hyundais.

I went with the Titanium because I was under the impression that it was a better filter than the OEM Mann+Hummel.

But now I’m finding out that might not be 100% the case; I’m seeing posts that would indicate that the Fram Titanium’s filter media is no longer wire-backed, despite the claim on the box, which was one of the selling points for me.

I understand that they’re transitioning away from it, which means you still might get one with the wire backing…or you may not.

Admittedly, I didn’t inspect it to try to see if it actually had the wire backing.

But the oil temps regularly hit 230° in backroad driving, and would likely be above that in the extended mountain road driving that I’ll eventually be doing.

Fram Endurance (FE) is wire backed.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

That TSB is about 12 years old now. The manufacturer began seeing a large volume of engine failures on their Gen 2 Theta 2 engines in 2013 and tried blaming it on vehicle purchasers who used aftermarket filters.

That last about two years and the Magnuson Moss Act stopped all that nonsense. Turns out it was a design flow and engine metal shavings / debris was obstructing the oil passageways leading into and out of the oil filters.

So since 2015 or-so, Hyunkia stopped refusing new engine replacements to those engines that wore an aftermarket filter. The OEM filters flow great. They began as a spin-off design of the Wix oil filter. But the 9688 version surely doen't trap very well, equal to the level of the Fram basic EG lineup. The Champ XL that I use more closely resemble the Fram Tough Guard lineup. Been happy with them. You can get them value-priced at rockauto.com.

I think a relative to the Champ XL is the STP XL...... maybe even the Mobil-1 filters.... all mid-level performers. But if you're stuck on using an upper-tier and not sure you want to switch to the Fram Endurance, I've read good things on the Microgard Premier oil filters. I haven't read much info on them here at BITOG. Perhaps this is something new to the market...... I dunno.

Another top-tier oil filter to look at is the Amsoil name-brand. But I'm not sure they make one for the Hyunkia vehicles we have. Also not sure if the maker is Donaldson or not.

 

[Urshurak776]

That TSB is about 12 years old now. The manufacturer began seeing a large volume of engine failures on their Gen 2 Theta 2 engines in 2013 and tried blaming it on vehicle purchasers who used aftermarket filters.

That last about two years and the Magnuson Moss Act stopped all that nonsense. Turns out it was a design flow and engine metal shavings / debris was obstructing the oil passageways leading into and out of the oil filters.

So since 2015 or-so, Hyunkia stopped refusing new engine replacements to those engines that wore an aftermarket filter. The OEM filters flow great. They began as a spin-off design of the Wix oil filter. But the 9688 version surely doen't trap very well, equal to the level of the Fram basic EG lineup. The Champ XL that I use more closely resemble the Fram Tough Guard lineup. Been happy with them. You can get them value-priced at rockauto.com.

I think a relative to the Champ XL is the STP XL...... maybe even the Mobil-1 filters.... all mid-level performers. But if you're stuck on using an upper-tier and not sure you want to switch to the Fram Endurance, I've read good things on the Microgard Premier oil filters. I haven't read much info on them here at BITOG. Perhaps this is something new to the market...... I dunno.

Another top-tier oil filter to look at is the Amsoil name-brand. But I'm not sure they make one for the Hyunkia vehicles we have. Also not sure if the maker is Donaldson or not.

https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-oil-filter-eaoilfilt/?code=EA15K20-EA

Also, though the TSB is old, Premium Guard has their own bulletin (recent - 2023) stating only use their Premium filter or OEM in a Hyundai/Kia. Not the standard filter:

https://www.pgfilters.com/wp-content/uploads/bsk-pdf-manager/2023/03/PG_26300-35503_Hyundai_Product_Bulletin.pdf

 

[ChrisD46]

Totally true, I wasn't planning on returning the Ultra as soon as I decided to cut it open (I was tempted to save it and run it at first).

I also understand what you and others are saying about the bypass valve psi, pushing was just my way of examining them in that moment, as I wasn't too concerned with the exact measurement. Wouldn't it follow though that since the spring felt weaker on the Tough Guard, that it would at least likely open at a lower psi??

How can the average consumer know if a Fram Ultra #9688 bypass is missing just by taking it out if the box and looking at it ?

 

[ZeeOSix]

How can the average consumer know if a Fram Ultra #9688 bypass is missing just by taking it out if the box and looking at it ?

Define "average", lol. Anyone who understands oil filters would look down the center tube and see a big gaping hole where the nylon bypass valve would typically be, like this ... just a hole in the leaf spring.

 

[Ronn]

Another top-tier oil filter to look at is the Amsoil name-brand. But I'm not sure they make one for the Hyunkia vehicles we have. Also not sure if the maker is Donaldson or not.

Snipped Quote
It has been well documented that the Fram Endurance and the Amsoil Filter are virtually identical, with the Endurance wire backing being a bit more robust.

 

[Ronn]

Define "average", lol. Anyone who understands oil filters would look down the center tube and see a big gaping hole where the nylon bypass valve would typically be, like this ... just a hole in the leaf spring.

View attachment 236784

Removed