What oil filter to go with?

[SubieRubyRoo]

WIX still does publish beta numbers (ie, the efficiency) on some of their filters. WIX just uses their own beta format that doesn't look like the standard industry format of showing beta ratio info.

This is the format WIX uses for beta ratio: Beta Ratio: 2/20=6/20
This is 50% @ 6u and 95% @ 20u.

There is no beta ratio info on the WIX XP because it's "proprietary" per WIX. What's so "proprietary" about an oil filter's efficiency? Andrew's ISO testing tells you why it's "proprietary".

Whoops, fingers beat my brain. The “not published beta numbers” should have been followed by “for the XP series” lol, as evidenced by the rest of my post.

 

[bellavita]

I agree. And I don't understand why Wix uses the beta ratios to communicate filter efficiency. It is not the language the customer understands. Add in their pricing compared to construction and performance (when they decide to state something) I don't see them as competitive and out of touch with the end customer.

 

[DGXR]

Regular WIX filters have been a great value for a long time: good efficiency, good capacity, reasonable price. Too bad they changed the bypass and core design recently, but they are still good filters for the money. Same for Motorcraft... apparently everything is good except the FL810

 

[Furious]

Just saw this. Thanks Subie. To @Bart_9 , I used to like the Fram Ultra but since they got rid of the metal screen back up, I’m not as Impressed.


Good luck.

I am not a FRAM fan although I may try the Ultra. But can you show me just 1 example of a non wire backed Ultra failing? because I have seen none. If anything the removal of the wire backing reduces the risk of metal shavings/pieces from the manufacturing process.

Wavy pleats after extended oil change intervals is not a failure in my opinion, it is not like the pleats collapsed or tore. Oil filters have been around for decades without metal screen backings.

99% efficiency at 20 microns is one of the best on the market, so are you more worried about a metal screen backing or how well the filter actually does its job at filtering?

 

[Furious]

Regular WIX filters have been a great value for a long time: good efficiency, good capacity, reasonable price. Too bad they changed the bypass and core design recently, but they are still good filters for the money. Same for Motorcraft... apparently everything is good except the FL810

From what I have been seeing about WIX is they have good construction, and acceptable efficiency at a higher price compared to competitors.

 

[bellavita]

I've not been able to find a manufacturer or seller that can quote an efficiency at micron level and filter life for Motorcraft oil filters. If you can direct me to the data I can add it to my comparison table, apply the lowest price I can find and see if they are competitive.

The only data for a Wix filter for my Subaru Forester is a NAPA Gold Fil-7055 which NAPA states is a Wix 57055. NAPA rates it 99% at 23 microns and is an OEM OCI life and sells for $12.99 from NAPA. It uses cellulose media.

A Fram Tough Guard is at 99% at 20 microns with a 15,000 mile life using a synthetic cellulose blend media and sells for $7.17. $5.82 (45%) less than the Wix and superior performance. It is very difficult to understand Wix's product, marketing and business strategy.

 

[SC Maintenance]

It is very difficult to understand Wix's product, marketing and business strategy.

For many years I used the standard wix filter. It was highly regarded on other automotive boards and still is, and back then it was $4 bucks. After this thread I feel much better about using it all those years - so I guess it wasn't so bad. I still have 4 on the shelf, so I will go ahead and use them, although the louvers look pretty tiny now compared to the new Fram ones.

The Fram of the time was definitely regarded as the Orange can of death on the web, and no one would be caught dead using it. Not sure where that came from either.

Now its owned by Mann and Hummell - who have raised the price pretty drastically, I presume there strategy is to bank on the goodwill they built up over all those years and hope no one realizes the price increase.

 

[ZeeOSix]

I've not been able to find a manufacturer or seller that can quote an efficiency at micron level and filter life for Motorcraft oil filters. If you can direct me to the data I can add it to my comparison table

https://www.motorcraft.com/us/en_us/home/our-products/filters/oil-filters.html

Motorcraft use to advertise 80% @20u on the Motorcraft website, but that was before USCAR-36 came along. USCAR-36 says the oil filter must be at least 95% @ 30u, which 80% @ 20u may closely equate to.



And here it shows the FL820S (many years ago in 2011) was 93.7% !@ 20u. So it's anyone's guess of what you would rate Motorcraft filters at these days. Guess all you can say it "95% @ 30u or better" based on USCAR-36 spec which is what Motorcraft is going by today.

 

[Furious]

The Fram of the time was definitely regarded as the Orange can of death on the web, and no one would be caught dead using it. Not sure where that came from either.

And could that be because at the time the FRAM Extra Guard was rated for 5,000 miles and people were pushing it beyond 5,000 miles?.

I'm not trying to stick up for FRAM here because I have seen some quality control issues but if you buy a filter that is rated for 5,000 miles and then you decide oh I am going to run it 7,500 miles sorry that is your fault it failed not FRAM.

 

[Snagglefoot]

I am not a FRAM fan although I may try the Ultra. But can you show me just 1 example of a non wire backed Ultra failing? because I have seen none. If anything the removal of the wire backing reduces the risk of metal shavings/pieces from the manufacturing process.

Wavy pleats after extended oil change intervals is not a failure in my opinion, it is not like the pleats collapsed or tore. Oil filters have been around for decades without metal screen backings.

99% efficiency at 20 microns is one of the best on the market, so are you more worried about a metal screen backing or how well the filter actually does its job at filtering?

Hold it a second. I said “ I was not as impressed.” Direct your comments as a general opinion. I see you have 82 posts and need some manners.

 

[bellavita]

It is a fascinating topic. Mann+Hummel owns both Wix and Purolator, both with good brand recognition and history. They also have the Mann+Hummel brand of spin on oil filters. I would think they are working hard to figure out how to define and position these three brands globally.
Purolator has an excellent good-better-best that lines up with Fram really well but they don't have the big distribution chain like Fram has.
Wix distribution is the auto parts stores which is good but those stores are carrying many brands that out compete Wix.

Because both of them have great manufacturing experience and footprints, it would be great to see how M+H would position Wix. Wix could be reinvented as only a top brand that competes with Mobil, Ansoil, RP and K&N filters. Or they have Wix develop they're own unique line of good-better-best with distinct features that differentiate them from the Purolator line. I think there are some very exciting times ahead as these companies work to compete and define themselves.

 

[Bart_9]

The "second tier" filters are the best filtration for the dollar proposition up here. Fram Tough Guard, Motomaster OE, Napa Gold. The higher end filters like the Ultra are fine, but really overkill on a six month, 7-8k km OCI.

I don't disagree. My real interest in getting decent filtering at 20 microns. Overkill yes, but thats what i want to go for.

Keep in mind the OEM filters from Toyota, Honda, Subaru etc are "cheap" filters roughly in line with the Fram Extra Guard.

Always wondered how good the OEM are.

 

[bellavita]

https://www.motorcraft.com/us/en_us/home/our-products/filters/oil-filters.html

Motorcraft use to advertise 80% @20u on the Motorcraft website, but that was before USCAR-36 came along. USCAR-36 says the oil filter must be at least 95% @ 30u, which 80% @ 20u may closely equate to.



And here it shows the FL820S (many years ago in 2011) was 93.7% !@ 20u. So it's anyone's guess of what you would rate Motorcraft filters at these days. Guess all you can say it "95% @ 30u or better" based on USCAR-36 spec which is what Motorcraft is going by today.

View attachment 142631

Thank you ZeeOSix for the Motorcraft data! I'll use the 80% at 20 microns as recommended above. I went to the sight and there is no mention of filter life in miles. Does USCAR-36 have any language about filter life?

 

[Bart_9]

Since you were using the Mobil 1 the video below might be of interest - but the supertech may also have changed since.

Fram Ultra and Toughguard are 20um @ 99% and are the cheapest filters at that rating I have found. There are a few differences between them but there both rated at the same for filtering.

Interesting vid, thanks

 

[Furious]

Hold it a second. I said “ I was not as impressed.” Direct your comments as a general opinion. I see you have 82 posts and need some manners.

Tell me where in my reply to you is disrespectful to even mention manners, and what does 82 posts have to do with it.

 

[Bart_9]

The non-XP filters are around the 95%@20u efficiency mark for most of the normal sizes, and with cost less than half of the Mobil filters (especially on Spring/Fall sales), it’s not a bad value proposition for such short OCIs.

What i would be interested in is a chart of filters vs microns (with efficiency) bonus if it has prices.
The Mobil 1 filter is now $22.99, i used to get them for $10 on sale.
If i can get equivalent for cheaper thats great, if i can get better for cheaper thats even better.

 

[Bart_9]

EG or ST would be my choice.

Sorry can you give me the full names?

No need to go crazy arguing microns vs cents. Or pesos. Or maple syrup. Or whatever y’all use for currency up there.

Igloos

 

[Bart_9]

Part of arguing and debating about oil filters is the filtering performance ... it is a filter's main job to filter, so that seems to be simething each buyer needs to decide what they want for filtering performance.

What level of filtration do you want? Once you establish that, then look at the options available to you. When other things like construction, cost, availability, OCI, etc come into play (if those are factors for you), then the oprions will decrease.

As others have said, if you're doing 5K mile OCIs, a filter like a Fram PH (Extra Guard) or a regular WIX at 95% @ 20μ would be fine. If you're going longer OCIs or just want better filtration, then go with something thats 99% @ 20μ like a Fram TG or the Ultra if you want the metal end caps instead.

Good point, 20 microns at 99% would be ideal. Preferably for a better price than the Mobil 1.

 

[GSCJR]

Sorry can you give me the full names?

Fram Extra Guard
Wal-Mart SuperTech which we don't have here in Canada.

Toyota makes long lasting engines with low efficiency filters.
OEM are easy to get and reasonably priced

 

[Bart_9]

If their top of the line XP is 60% at 20um, then how can their next down be 95%? Not saying it isn't - I would however be very interested in such a filter but have been lead to believe its something else.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...ow-bubble-point-and-burst.334882/post-5789087

Thank you so much for this link!
So it seems the Fram Ultra Synthetic is not only above 99% down to 15 microns, its cheaper than the Mobil 1 filter ($15.99 vs $22.99!)
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/fram-xg4967-ultra-synthetic-oil-filter-0171852p.html?loc=plp