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Oil Filters, whose is best, and Why?
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What filters do not have one if you know of any. Since filters usually can service many different engines they need to be made with both valves.
and does $6 sound like about right for a PureOne filter? thanks, Kyle
http://members.nbci.com/minimopar/oilfilterstudy.html
--- Bror Jace
I agree that all automotive oil filters do seem to have anti-drainback valves. As indicated by several people, some designs are much more effective than others.
I see hundreds of oil sample analysis a year and we have machines that are in the $100-200K range and see extensive oil analysis.
We run Fleetguard, Wix and NAPA gold filters. (Wix and NAPA are the same filter).
You will find no FRAM or Purolator on these machines as the manufacturer has recommended we not use them.
We aren't talking about only a few thousand dollars if these engines need to be replaced, It can get rather expensive, so everything is tracked to make sure there isn't a problem.
I'm not saying there is anything wrong with any of the brands of filters, as most of them meet the minimum specifications of the manufacturers, but unless you are working your vehicle in extreme conditions, you ain't gaining that much.
Why? Because I only go through (at most) 3 filters per car per year. So, if I save $2 per filter, that amounts to only a saving of $6 per year. That's insignificant when you look at the total cost of keeping a car on the road for a year.
Plus, if I'm gonna leave an oil filter on my car for 5-6 months, I want to be sure it's well constructed ... and doesn't use cardboard as a structural component.
--- Bror Jace
http://www.frankhunt.com/FRANK/corvette/articles/oilfilterstudy/oilfilterstudy-german.html#72150
If this is the case it's probably like any other Champion Labs filter (not great, but a lot better than Fram). i.e. Lee, Super Tech (Wal-Mart), Champ, STP, etc.
They also state that some German OEM filters may be mixed in.
Come to think of it, before Wal-Mart sold STP filters they sold Lee filters.
All of these filters are made by Champion Labs and all are about the same except for Bosch which seems to have more filtering material.
All are much better than a corresponding Fram filter, although I have to beg Wal-Mart to put their filter on rather than a (crap) Fram if they do an oil change.
BTW does anyone have any experience with using a larger than stock filter on Nissan products-The Quest V-6 and Sentra for sure use the mini-mini filter.
Thanks
Also, has anyone seen a cross section of the popular filters, i.e. WIX, Fram, Purolator, STP and GM? There has to be a display of the internals of these filters somewhere.
You should do some archive reading in this thread. What you want to know is likely in it. NAPA sells Wix filters as the Gold and Silver lines, probably like the Blue and Red lines you specified. NAPA counters often have cut away displays of several filters of several brands.
http://members.nbci.com/minimopar/oilfilterstudy.html
Check this out:
http://www.pureoil.com/faq.htm
AC's are 33% efficient on multipass whoooaaa. Not even as good as Fram.
Also noticed now that Pure one is now 99.7% efficient on single pass. Box says 98%
Funny though, that they song-and-dance their way around the extended drain question:
"Can I go longer intervals between oil changes with PureONE?"
It is recommended that you change your oil every 3,000 miles, or according to the owner's manual. The PureONE filter is designed to give you optimum protection over the life of your oil change.
Anyway yes 3000 mile cop out. They are up front with their ratings though. Probably because they fell they are the best. Probably a toss-up between them and Mobil 1. I use both.
Don't knot what the microns are for those tests. Maybe someone knows the particulars. It's in accordance with the specific SAE test specification (I know that helps you alot!!) If I don't get caught tonight with a gin and tonic- I'll check.
Not sure of Amsoil filter ratings. they are made by Baldwin who owns Hastings. Actually Baldwin purchased Hastings several years ago but kept the name for the reputation and marketing of filters. Amsoil says that theirs are made by Hastings but after several discussions with Baldwin they admit to being the same company. Also, Baldwin makes multiple different brand name filters under different specifications (as does Champion etc) but they refuse to discuss which they feel are the best!
But with that comparison I clearly will not use the New Fram ex/2 filter. I was at least considering it.