Oil Filter Face-Off (Updated again!)

"Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif" (lumpy44)
11/18/2013 at 20:03 • Filed to: Oil Filters

Bought the six filters I could find for my truck. Wanted to compare them all side by side and choose the best one for oil changes going forward. I won't be able to install and test them obviously so most of the comparison will done with research and a hands on comparison. Some list features on the box, while others have little information on them.

The combatants are:

Mobil 1, FRAM High Milage, Bosch Premium, Purolator, Quaker State, and MotoMaster

Will update when I learn more. Comparing cost, efficiency, weight, and build. Anything else you want to see?

UPDATE:

Found all of the prices I paid for each filter, rounded of course.

Mobil 1: $15.00

FRAM High Milage: $10.00

Bosch: $7.00

Purolator: $7.00

Quaker State: $4.00

MotoMaster: $5.00

UPDATE 2:

This opens a table that gives letter grades to each aspect of a filter and assigns an overall value. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! by Aolicious on gmtruckcentral.com

UPDATE 3:

Looks like you mostly get what you pay for. Will likely be using the Mobil 1 from now on. What the hell am I going to do with these other filters?!?!?!

Here is a link from the same website for !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Pretty interesting results here too.

DISCUSSION (33)

4WD430 > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
11/18/2013 at 20:07

Do you know if that BOSCH oil filter is a repackaged MANN filter which would be made with fleece material?

N/A POWAAAHH > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
11/18/2013 at 20:10

Purolator?! As in the people that bring me car parts?

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > 4WD430
11/18/2013 at 20:10

The filter itself looks similar but will have to check into it.

Birddog > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
11/18/2013 at 20:11

This guy went pretty in depth.
http://www.minimopar.net/oilfilters/

It's a little old but I doubt much has changed aside from names and paint colors.

dogisbadob > N/A POWAAAHH
11/18/2013 at 20:13

Purolator used to own a Canadian shipping service, but the Canadian government bought that business about 30 years ago. However, the two companies have no relation today.

Purolator the filter company is now co-owned by Bosch and Mann-Hummel. Their website is pureoil.com

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > N/A POWAAAHH
11/18/2013 at 20:13

They make all sorts of filters. Cabin and Oil and Air!

dogisbadob > 4WD430
11/18/2013 at 20:14

The Bosch oil filter is a rebranded Purolator PureOne, but without the textured grip. Bosch and Mann co-own Purolator.

Mann's spin-on filters are rebadged Purolator Classics.

N/A POWAAAHH > dogisbadob
11/18/2013 at 20:17

Ah, I'm Canadian so it figures I'd get it messed up.

dogisbadob > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
11/18/2013 at 20:18

I just want to see them cut open :p

I like the Purolator PureOne because of the textured grip. However, the Bosch is also very good (it is the P1 but without the sandpaper)

The only Fram oil filters worth buying are the new Ultra line XG3980 in your case. The QS and Motomasters are probably rebadged orange cans of death :(

You should've had a Wix filter in this battle!

Decay buys too many beaters > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
11/18/2013 at 20:19

Do (if you have the means) a blackstone analysis with each filter, obviously this would be a very long term test, but should show if there are any standout filters.

dogisbadob > N/A POWAAAHH
11/18/2013 at 20:19

Hey it's OK, no problem :)

Remember, they were related at one time! (which is also why their logos are similar and in the same colors!)

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Birddog
11/18/2013 at 20:20

Good read, I am looking at Bob is the oil guy's website for more info. From what I see so far, the normal orange FRAM filter on that website is like a Prius here on OPPO.

V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me! > Birddog
11/18/2013 at 20:23

He actually did a follow up. You'd be surprised how much has changed.

I routinely go back and forth between the Bosch and Mobil 1. I picked up a K&N last time out.....I was actually impressed.

http://wetwesties1.tripod.com/oilfilterstudy…

http://www.gmtruckcentral.com/articles/oilfi…

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > dogisbadob
11/18/2013 at 20:25

I have an Ultra on my truck now. The Quaker state is the right size for my truck but it is about 1 inch shorter than the rest of the filters for some reason. I never have seen a Wix filter here in Canada at any of the stores I go to frequently. Just started seeing the Mobil 1 and the Quaker State. I have seen Wix and Mobil 1 being called the same filter in some forums.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
11/18/2013 at 20:29

This looks like a simple graph of all the filters tested.

Results

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Decay buys too many beaters
11/18/2013 at 20:31

Wish I did but most of this will have to be computer research.

tromoly > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
11/18/2013 at 20:32

Purolator Classic is my go-to for my engines. Metal cap (no cardboard crap), good construction, good quality.

dogisbadob > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
11/18/2013 at 20:37

If there is a Napa nearby, then you can get Wix. Napa Gold is rebranded Wix, and Napa Platinum is Wix XP.

Birddog > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
11/18/2013 at 20:39

I have the orange cylinder of death on the Xterra now. I get serious valvetrain clatter on every startup.
I'll be doing an early erl and filter change this weekend.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Birddog
11/18/2013 at 20:41

Hope the change helps with the knocking!

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > dogisbadob
11/18/2013 at 20:43

Will have to check next time I am by. From the table I posted the Wix/NAPA filters looks pretty good.

V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me! > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
11/18/2013 at 20:43

Yup.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
11/18/2013 at 20:46

The Mobil 1 looks like the best filter if you are not worried about price.

Birddog > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
11/18/2013 at 20:47

It's the first odd noise she's made in 80k other than the throw out bearing. I'm not too worried. Yet..

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Birddog
11/18/2013 at 20:48

The Mobil 1 looks like a great filter if you don't mind paying a bit more.

V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me! > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
11/18/2013 at 20:51

Out of the lot you have, indeed.

When it comes to my 2 toys, I'm a bit particular about the oil and filters. Seeing as they do not see alot of miles, the expense isn't often. I've been using Joe Gibbs 15w50 full synthetic in my older 5.0. I have the luxury of having a retaler stock it within 3 miles of me. Downside: $11/quart.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
11/18/2013 at 20:55

I don't mind spending the bit more for the filter. I typically get oil when I go to USA because it is half the price as here in Canada and it comes in the exact quarts my engine takes.

Squid > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
11/18/2013 at 20:59

I have a Mobil 1 on my car right now but I think I am going to downgrade to a Pure One on the next change. I just don't see the value in the Mobil 1 filter at 5,000 mile OCI's.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > tromoly
11/18/2013 at 20:59

Pretty good mid-range filter. Check out the table above for more options.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Squid
11/18/2013 at 21:05

I typically change every 5000km's. Any longer I like to use better oil and filters.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
11/18/2013 at 21:22

I went with the purolator on my jetta. Probably not the 100% best but it's been the go-to for oil change after oil change according to the VW mechanic. It was what I pulled off last month when I did the winter change so I just stuck with what worked.

It probably only reeeeeeeeeeeeally matters if you're in high stress/high power situations.

tromoly > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
11/18/2013 at 21:30

Have not seen that table before, thanks for posting it.

rabidpenguin > dogisbadob
11/19/2013 at 12:50

I came here just to say that. I use them in almost everything.