The definitive oil filter study

[karmakanic]

Here's a link to a very comprehensive study of the popular oil filter brands. Interesting reading. Scroll down to the conclusions at the bottom of the page for the reader's digest version.
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/oil_filter_study/>Oil Filter Study</A>

Dave

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Thanks for posting the filter link, Dave.

Great information!

Bill in Pgh, PA

 

[Anonymous Poster]

This has been around for quite a while and is in my opinion very enlightening, especially in regards to Fram filters, the world's best marketing for an inferior product.

In fact, it was so enlightening that I think this guy got a couple of lawyer calls regarding his findings which I think were about as objective as could be.

I've cut filters open for many years - not every time - but enough to verify that this study was right on the money for both the good and the not so good filters.

 

[Inspector507]

I just wonder if any of the manufacturers have changed their processes. This study has been around long enough that the filters studied may not match what we buy.
Just a thought

Jerry

 

[njrqs]

Wow, our Castrol Adds say "oils aint oils". now filters aint filters either !!

Sure makes me wonder what the stuff we get here is like.

Cheers

 

[TimSullivan]

I have been buying fram filters for as long as I can remember. Looks like it is time for a change.

 

[Bird]

Yep, that's been around for a long time. Just be sure you don't ignore a couple of important sentences:

<font color=blue>I have had a couple of requests from people wondering what my qualifications are. Quite frankly, I am just a concerned automotive enthusiast that is tired of being toyed with by these manufacturers. In reality, I am an Electrical Engineer with no qualifications in the area of filtration analysis.</font color=blue>

Now I have no qualifications either, so I certainly won't say whether he's right or wrong. But of course, I've been using Fram filters now for 44 years and have yet to have a lubrication related problem with any engine. And nope, I have no financial interest in Fram./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif And I may not be using Fram in the future simply because I'm probably not going to be changing oil and filters myself in the future since I moved to town last week./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[wichiwichi]

I also have been using fram for years. Will probably switch now. I believe that oil and filter change interval is more important than paticular brands. My truck is every 3000 miles and tractor evry 100. Thinking about bumping the tractor to 75 hrs though because of lower winter usage. The manual for my tractor says on the first oil change to cahnge oil but not filter. Kind of like taking a shower and putting your dirty socks and underwear on to me. JMHO

 

[therrien]

I used Fram filters for years also. but when a sales person mentioned the study I cut open a filter I had just bought and I cut open an old (unused) filter that I had for a 74 car. The old filter was much higher quality compared to the newer filter. I will never use Fram again. Maybe thats why they can be on sale for $1.99.

 

[Turfman]

In the 70's and 80's my mother-in-law worked on the Fram line. They cut staffing while boosting production for their filters. She said that stuff getting off the line was seldom inspected as well as it was before the corporate push for high production.

She did say that when they made filters for other companies, i.e., Kmart, they had to have more inspectors as required by the contract. I always bought filters from one of the companies Fram produced for because I got a better filter for less money.

I still use Fram for many things, but based on what I have seen here and elsewhere I'll spend a dollar more and but a different filter.