Of oil filters... Questions for oil filter Connoisseurs

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
08/17/2018 at 11:08 • Filed to: just something to waste my time this morning

I have been bu ying Bosch oil filters for my 2006 Mazda 3, with a 2.0L at walmart but they stop ped selling them.

I’m thinking of just buying the OEM filter from Amazon and will keep buying my Mobile 1 from Walmart.

Does anyone have any knowledge if one oil filter is better than an other? Does it really matter on a normal daily driven car with oil changes about every 5,000-6,000 miles? I care nothing about cost, paying $5 for an oil filter is like not going to starbucks twice a year for a standard grande coffee .

Option 1: OEM for $12.44

Option 2 for $7.26

Option 3 for $ 5.59

DISCUSSION (30)

HammerheadFistpunch > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/17/2018 at 11:21

I’ve been a wix convert. I think bosch is fine too and OE is either a hit or miss depending on the OE supplier. Just don’t buy fram.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > HammerheadFistpunch
08/17/2018 at 11:24

The wix seems like a good value with a known good quality. I’ll probably go with Wix .

Ash78, voting early and often > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/17/2018 at 11:29

Wix are very good, but I don’t shy away from Bosch. Most filters (including Bosch) are made by Champion, anyway, to varying degrees of quality. I also like Mann and Mahle. I find Mobil and K&N to be a little overpriced.

I always say just get a Blackstone report every 2-3 changes and gauge it from there. If I don’t see high particulate counts, the filter is doing fine.

Party-vi > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/17/2018 at 11:30

HHFP is right - FRAM is garbage

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Ash78, voting early and often
08/17/2018 at 11:33

My filter is easy to change on my car so I change it every time. I think the climate where I live is hard on oil so it seems to make sense to change a $7.00 part.

dogisbadob > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/17/2018 at 11:35

Get the Wix

Ash78, voting early and often > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/17/2018 at 11:45

Sorry, I didn’t mean to imply you should NOT change the filter. I meant the Blackstone report would let you know if your filter choice is good or not. It doesn’t show flow rate or other stats , just whether the particles are being removed.

Takuro Spirit > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/17/2018 at 11:48

Hot Take, its a 2.0L Mazda3.

Just run whatever.

Except Fram.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Ash78, voting early and often
08/17/2018 at 11:49

Copy that, I have never had a blackstone test and the car doesn’t burn oil or consume any between changes so it seems not warranted at this time.

Now my subaru on the other hand would probably be 20% piston rings by weight. Fucking Subaru.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Takuro Spirit
08/17/2018 at 11:51

It’s my baby. The best car I’ve ever owned. I’m going to drive it until Ace runs out of rustoleum paint.

Takuro Spirit > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/17/2018 at 11:55

Just saying its not an oil-dependant picky motor. It won’t care what you put on it, it’ll last forever no matter what.

Except Fram.

nermal > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/17/2018 at 12:31

OEM or GTFO.

Truck gets changed when the dashboard change-o-meter gets close, bikes get changed wayyyyy too often because used for racing and trackdays .

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/17/2018 at 12:48

Wix (or a Napa gold filter, same filter painted white) makes a fine filter, and has done so for a very long time. OEM filters are often good as well. If you want a really nice filter (and that actually comes sealed), Baldwin filters are some of the best stuff out there.

nerd_racing > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/17/2018 at 13:10

ST6607

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/17/2018 at 14:54

ive been using quaker state ones and oil in my Miata and no issues.

I use motorcraft in my powerstroke

K and N in my bike

and my beater durango gets whatever is on sale that isnt a Fram

Urambo Tauro > Party-vi
08/17/2018 at 17:58

Are all of Fram’s offerings garbage now? For the longest time, it was their cheapo filters that were horrifically bad, while their “ultra” or whatever they call their top shelf premium stuff were some of the best filters around.

Lots of brands do this. Fram, Raybestos... even ACDelco has different grades of parts. You g otta keep an eye out for the “service grade ” stuff and get the “p rofessional” ones instead.

atfsgeoff > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/17/2018 at 18:36

Any new oil filter is better than not changing it.

Bumpstick > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/17/2018 at 19:46

I’m going to go against the grain here, and throw out an oddball. How about a fram ultra. I know, I know, it’s a fram, but. It’s 99% efficient down to 20 microns and made of dual layer synthetic media with wire backing, and are of good build quality.

FRAM XG3614 Spin-On Ultra S/G Oil Filter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C2ZKJW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_831DBbVH4EQDF

Check out what they have to say about them on bobistheoilguy.com

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/17/2018 at 21:51

I only use WIX filters.

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/17/2018 at 23:01

I like NAPA gold. They are Wix filters in a different box and usually a little less money.

Jdeponty > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/18/2018 at 10:03

I have been buying WIX fil ters for years and will buy no other. They are made by the Purolator C ompany who make very high quality filters.

Monkey B > Takuro Spirit
08/18/2018 at 10:24

this...anything but Fram.

waffle911 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/18/2018 at 10:48

I work at a shop. Wix brand (company name is Affina) is the only filter I use on anything I own, including our lawn tractor . Microguard is fine if you’re feeling thrifty; it’s what we use on most vehicles in the shop unless a special request is made, and it’s also manufactured by Affina as a low cost brand. It’s fine if you don’t drive like a racecar driver and stay on top of your 3k or 5k mile oil change interval. If you stretch i the interval out at all or regularly put the engine through its paces, go Wix or Wix XP if you really push it

UZP Custo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/18/2018 at 12:05

Bobistheoilguy.com is the best resource for finding info on filters, they even cut them open and give full break downs and specs of dozens of brands.

Tgrvjjvgi > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/18/2018 at 12:06

Here is what I know.

There is one big difference between the two types of springs used that I think makes a big impact on the way a filter works. One type uses a Belleville type spring and the other a compression spring. The compression spring is your best option.

When you change your oil there is a small chance of debris will get into the engine through the oil filler cap ( Dust/ dirt) which can cause wear and tear on your engine. The oil filter is your only real defense against it. The Belleville spring is only good for about 5 starts. It is just enough to filter out any debris from your oil change. But the compression spring will last till the next oil change and gives added filter protect from possible deterioration of the engine components while in use.

So you have to figure out which spring you are buying for the best results and engine life. I buy the compression spring filter and just reuse it for multiple oil changes. My car is not expensive but the compression spring never wears out and there isn’t enough debris in the oil to clog a filter.

mike > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/18/2018 at 17:21

Have you considered the other OEM filter for your car? Motorcraft 910 S? This is Ford filter Walmart sells it for just under $4 before tax. The quality is really good. Let's not forget Mazda engines were shared tech with Ford in 2006. Why pay more for an OEM filter by Mazda when you can get OEM filter designed for the same engine by Ford.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/18/2018 at 17:31

If the OEM is convenient, I’d buy the OEM.

Otherwise, if it’s convenient, I buy AC Delco filters because...

A (former) friend of mine obsesses about Amsoil. He produced a test result once that showed how much better Amsoil oil filters were than any other brand. The test included AC Delco filters and the AC Delco was head and shoulders above everything else. So I buy AC Delco oil filters and, generally AC Delco in most everything else, especially when I’m servicing one of my GM cars.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/19/2018 at 07:37

I like K&N because of the hex on the bottom of them, but if your filter is really easy to get at then I wouldn’t make that a consideration. I’ve had good success with Bosch, Wix, K&N and Mobil 1 (if I felt like spending a bunch of money for no real good reason).

Mike > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/19/2018 at 08:34

Oem is wix/Ford and I have cut open all major filters, wix is one of the best.

However I have seen data before and after with Mobil 1 and it's garbage, unless you get the Euro grade or the 20k oil. Castrol, royal purple, AMSoil is amazing. I have run all 3 in race cars and sent them to Blackstone.

Dave the car guy , still here > Ash78, voting early and often
08/19/2018 at 13:45

Champion at times has manufactured filters for GM, Mobil, Bosch , K&N and others. Sometimes to different specs but all good. I agree on no Frams. Only have used them in a bind. I’ve always believed that top shelf oil is even more important than a top shelf filter. If using excellent oil it prevents wear to the point there will be less particles for a filter to trap anyways. My case in point is my uncle who put Mobil 1 in a Fiat X 1/9 which he purchased new in 1972 and then proceeded to install all the european go fast parts he could buy. It went over two decades and 200k miles before ever having engine work. He used the insane Mobil 1 oil change for that period. Modil’s recommendation was t o go 15k between changes but at 7500 miles you changed the filter and top off the oil with up to a quart of fresh Mobil 1. . He used nothing but off brand or Fram filters that entire time.