Oil filters?

[moreyes]

I am sure there are few mechanics out there, I have been using Napa Gold oil filters for some time on my Ford pick up, what do you guys consider to be the best oil filter on the market? I do change oil every 3000miles and will continue to do so.

thanks moreyes

[chrism]

Try a google search and see what you come up with...

I did some research a few years ago - what I found was surprising! - What I found was that the "technically' best design was the Amsoil, Wix, and believe it or not, the Purolater AC filters. These had the most surface area, smallest filter pore size, and bypass valves.
I am able to get Wix filters, which I use and seem to work great. I can't get ahold of the other two, so I can't comment.
Hope this helps!
cm

[Phil T.]

Many years ago, Consumer Reports tested oil filters. They rated them on particle size trapped, and how much dirt the filter would hold. The top-rated was Fram. Since then, Fram has upgraded their filters twice.
Purolator filters tested the same as a bunch of private label brands (guess who makes most of the filters in the US?). The worst filter was made by a company that coincidentally also makes piston rings and other engine parts.

[Gone Again]

Have been in the auto repair business for 30 years. A year or so back bought all the mentioned filters with the exception of the Amzoil. Also looked at Napa Gold and Carquest blue which is their best line. All filters were for the same application. Each filter was disassembled by cutting open just below the gasket line with a large pipe cutter. After inspection, found most all were the same except filter media was more abundant in Wix, Napa Gold and Carquest blue. Folds were about the same, but somewhat more plentiful. These same brands also used a spring rather than a stamped piece of metal to hold the filter tight upto the bypass valve. With the exception of Fram, all filters were capped on the end and the filter media was glued together to make a one piece filter. The capped end means that all oil entering the filter gets filtered. The Fram filter was open on one end so that all the oil entering the filter does not get filtered. Also the filter media was only wrapped together at the end and tied with common store string. Yes, common store string. With all the hype of Fram filters, this was quite disturbing. Wix, Napa Gold and Carquest blue are all exactly the same and even share the same numbering system-all are built by Wix. Can only report what I found but one of these mentioned filters will never be on my customers or my own vehicles.

[LakeRat]

My brother works for NAPA. That last post is right on the money!

[Suzuki]

Yep. Wix makes Napa Gold filters. Keep using them.

[dkooser]

Moreyes - you bring up a question I have always struggled with. Like you I change my oil every 3000 miles and use Motorcraft or Fram, the only two that are readily available for my Ford diesel. Here is my question, since we religously change our oil before it gets too dirty, is there a real gain in spending extra money on a superdooper filter whose filter element (in theory) should not get too contaminated and clogged anyway?

If I were to change my oil every 10K miles (which I have never let it go that long) then maybe a higher cost filter would be necessary. I am betting that in 3000 miles between oil changes that the average filters I buy are doing the job since the oil is not really all that dirty.

[MnWalleyeKiller]

Hey more eyes ever tried amsoil?
I use their series 2000 synthetic 0W-30 oil along with their super duty oil filter. There oil filter does not have to be changed for every 6 months and 1 year for the oil. Thats my kind of service, every 3000 miles was overwhelming. Just something to think about.
Mn walleye

[Tom]

if you guys change your oil every 3000 miles any decent filter will do, i use amesoil in my truck and i use napa gold filters i change the oil every 20,000 miles and the filter every 5,000 miles and so far not a problem.



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[RickK]

Anyone know which oil/filter that fellow (on The TONIGHT show last night )that has 2 million miles on his Volvo used? They didn't talk much about the details,....

[Jeff]

Someone must know but I believe all filters are made only by 4 companies - Wix being one of them.

Anyone know the other 3?