Whats wrong over at Purolator?

[Navi]

The Purolator Boss when cut open looks like everyones dream filter. The white colored "Smart Fusion" media is clearly synthetic and its billed as "next generation". Next I read here the filter is at 99% at 46 microns and I see some product sheets sourced from Purolator. I did send an email to Purolator and the response is that they do not publish micron ratings for the filters.

Next I read here the Purolator One is actually the better filter but when cut open it appears to have some kind of blended media known to be cheaper and not quite as good as synthetic.

This "Brand Ranks" Youtube page states the Purolator Boss is one of the best if not the best filter out there. No contact information or company name is provided for the Youtube page. No video or photos of the testing equipment. We just have to trust them.

So whats going on? When cut open the Boss does seem like the best out there... should stick with the OEM filters or get a Wix?

 

[Lubener]

It's not worth losing sleep over. I seriously doubt your engine will last any longer using a 99% over a 96% efficient filter. You cannot judge on appearance alone. Changing the oil and filter at the proper intervals will matter the most.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Purolator hiding the efficiency should tell you why. If it was as good as the ranking by BR shows (not an official test like ISO 4548-12 and some questionable results), then Purolator would be advertising a high efficiency number and telling everyone they can.

Get a Carquest Premium (or similar PGI made 10K filter) or a Microgard Select.

 

[ZeeOSix]

It's not worth losing sleep over. I seriously doubt your engine will last any longer using a 99% over a 96% efficient filter. You cannot judge on appearance alone. Changing the oil and filter at the proper intervals will matter the most.

Depends at what micron rating those 99% and 96% filters are at. There's a big difference between 99% @ 20u and 99% @ 46u. If OCIs are pretty short then lower efficiency filtration has less impact than if OCIs are longer. If you can get a much higher efficiency filter for the same price or even cheaper, then why not? "Flow over efficiency" isn't a good reason to use low efficiency filters, which is a myth.

 

[Navi]

Purolator hiding the efficiency should tell you why. If it was as good as the ranking by BR shows (not an official test like ISO 4548-12 and some questionable results), then Purolator would be advertising a high efficiency number and telling everyone they can.

Get a Carquest Premium (or similar PGI made 10K filter) or a Microgard Select.

With Fram out of business who are the ones actually making those filters? Is it Mann behind those names?

 

[ZeeOSix]

With Fram out of business who are the ones actually making those filters? Is it Mann behind those names?

PGI = Premium Gaurd Inc. There are 100s of threads about PGI made oil filters. NAPA Golds are also PGI made now.

If 99% @ 30u is acceptable to you, the new Mobil 1 filter made under Highline Warren is a well made filter.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

Boss filters have always been expensive rock catchers!

 

[GW.]

Boss filters are well made but have horrible efficiency. Ones use the black glue of death unless you can find the Korean made version. The general consensus is to not run M+H filters due to various QC problems. Currently the most consistent quality wise are PGI made filters. They are also very efficient. Easy ones to find are Carquest Premium, Carquest EP, Microgard Select, and Napa Gold. The Carquest EP uses synthetic media with mesh backing like the Boss and is 99.5%@25 microns. Click on my thread below for more pics

G

Thread 'New Carquest EP 20k Filter C&P'

Aug 8, 2025

Carquest EP Extended Performance P84356(7317).

100% Synthetic nylon backed media
20k mile rating
High Flow
Made in Vietnam
$16.99
No efficiency rating

Media 2.25”x50.50”=113.625”

• GW.
• Replies: 120
• Forum: Engine Oil Filters

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[JohnnyJohnson]

There is no good reason for date codes you have to decrypt.

 

[Propflux01]

Says: “See item for country of origin”. I didn’t see anything on it. Made in USA?

 

[BrendanC]

Says: “See item for country of origin”. I didn’t see anything on it. Made in USA?

if you’re talking about the Carquest Extended Protection above, it is on the label. “made in vietnam”.

 

[kschachn]

Yet another Boss thread.

 

[AuthorEditor]

Just bought some Carquest Premiums at AAP and they were made in China.

 

[BrendanC]

Just bought some Carquest Premiums at AAP and they were made in China.

yes, premium guard has factories in china and vietnam. haven’t seen an issue out of either of them yet.

 

[tratman2000]

crazy times my guy.. went like 7 years not keeping up and using fram xg got a new truck and noticed fram was no more.. went with wix cause they were always top dogs just to learn M&H bought them out "purolator" a brand i wrote off years ago from tearing issues.. now only manufacture is PGI AND M&H... PGI look great i grabbed a couple cases off ebay.

 

[BrendanC]

Yet another Boss thread.

i’ll never understand why people want to defend a brand that hasn’t shown consistent quality. i defended fram up until they forgot how to stamp a leaf spring and gave up.

 

[4wd]

i’ll never understand why people want to defend a brand that hasn’t shown consistent quality. i defended fram up until they forgot how to stamp a leaf spring and gave up.

One of those I didn’t leave them - they left me moments

 

[GW.]

I used Wix for decades, then OG Fram Ultras and Titaniums, and now PGI filters. I follow the quality, not the brand or country of origin.

 

[AuthorEditor]

It would be nice to buy American, but what can you do if the quality isn't there? Same thing happened to many other products.

 

[GW.]

It would be nice to buy American, but what can you do if the quality isn't there? Same thing happened to many other products.

I do hope USA pride in craftsmanship comes back one day.