DO NOT USE This Oil Filter made by... 

What would be a great way to test oil filters?

I'm amazed you found a Walmart with the lookup computer actually working!

Unfortunately, this is yet another completely unscientific look at oil filters. The reason Fram use *resin-impregnated* cardboard end caps is that they bond better to the filter medium than metal end caps do. The use of metal end caps is purely for marketing purposes (stronger material, therefore must be better, yes? Well, actually, no.). Also, you can't judge the effectiveness of the filter medium just by how long it is or by how even the pleats are. What's important is how effective it is in trapping really small particles, i.e. 20 microns or smaller. The only real way to test filters is by running them in an engine under standard test conditions, and then measuring the amount and size of trapped particles in the filter and the same for the engine oil. And you do realise that nearly all the filters on the market are made by just three manufacturers, right? As others have said, the best way to protect your engine is by using the recommended viscosity oil, and changing both it and the filter on a regular basis. This is especially important for vehicles that do mostly short runs in stop-start traffic that never have a chance to warm up properly. This type of operating condition promotes the formation of sludge, and sludge is the enemy of long engine life, ladies and gentlemen!

Been using Fram only since 1972 with no problems. Still own my first car.

I've been using standard (cheap) oil filters all my life on all my vehicles...never damaged any engine related to lubricity issues...

I've used Fram oil filters since the 1970's and never had a problem ever on my engines

This dudes videos have more drama and anticipation than most movies

FRAM has never failed me in 25 years, but I do look them over before purchase,

I only use fram ultra synthetic and pennzoil ultra platinum for my hondas The engines are so clean they almost look new Zero varnish and zero slack in the valve lash

The hole on the K&N filter is there for safety wire to prevent the canister from turning and becoming loose. They are a standard feature on aircraft filters where the wire is required.

I can see I’ve been doing the right thing all these years by using the factory AC Delco filters on my ‘95 3.1l equipped Oldsmobeater. Could also be why it’s got over 312,000 miles and still goin strong.

The glue on the 3 steel plate filters being globbed on is because they have to use a lot of glue to get 2 completely different materials to adhere to each other. The Fram Tough Guard filter looks much cleaner because the fiber backing plate is made of similar material as their filter media itself, so it requires much less glue and a much less expensive glue to get them to adhere to each other. I use the XG Fram filters in my own vehicles, but if the XG for my application were out of stock, I'm fine with grabbling a Tough Guard. My family are farmers, and we've used Fram for multiple decades and we've never had an engine failure on a tractor, a combine, a truck or a car where we could point to the filter being the cause, and we've used a LOT of Fram's. My Grandpa even ran the local Gambles Hardware Store in my hometown and he sold Fram. This was back in the 40's, 50's and 60's. A lot of companies use parts that are made by someone else too. Very rarely do you have a company that completely builds their product from scratch. So parts can be purchased from a single part manufacturer, then assembled from those parts in-house. Therefore, parts can look like the parts from another company because they used the same part from the same manufacturer. Also, the entire part can actually be made by someone else completely, then painted the correct color and have the company's own stickers/stencils put on. Ford, Chrysler and GM don't build their own oil filters, they contract that out to a 3rd party vendor to make for them with their own specific specs. AC Delco oil filter manufacturing company doesn't exist. Mopar oil filter manufacturing company doesn't exist. Motorcraft oil filter manufacturing company doesn't exist. They are all contracted out to another company to make for them. There are even a few car companies who's factory oil filters are made by Fram.

I've used Fram filters for 50 years, my father used them for decades prior to that, and most of my family & friends have used them for decades as well. Never personally known anyone who had a problem, or ever heard of anyone I've known having a problem. Guess those thousands of "OCOD" Fram filters never saw any of the RU-vid videos that said they're crap. Currently have a '09 Hyundai Santa Fe that's never had anything but Fram Orange can filters and Valvoline 5w-20 conventional oil and semi-syn Max-Life and it has 178,000 miles on it and uses zero oil. Same with our '04 Nissan Xterra, Fram filters, 5w-30 Valvoline conv & Max-Life, with 198,000 miles, and it's still tight and no oil use. Buy what you want, and don't worry too much. Spend as much as you need to to sleep well at night, it's your equipment. 👍

The lower end Frams do NOT use cardboard. They are fiber end caps made of material very similar to the filter media. Some OEM Honda, Nissan and some AC delcos have fiber end caps as well.

I have used fram filters and Pennzoil on all my cars and they have gone 500,000, 600,000 miles apiece,

Haha the thing about Fram helping you find and also cross reference the filters is totally true, I work for other x brand and even we use their site to find obscure filters.

I've been a "shade tree" mechanic for 55+ years. Many, many oil changes, many, many oil filters. Broke down and purchased a K & N a few year's ago (believe they were at a discount if one bought two or more.) Installed on my wife's car. Shortly after that I started seeing oil spots on my driveway...thought it was from delivery trucks or a friends older car. One day when my wife's car was out of the garage, I noticed a twelve inch circle of oil of the floor....where she had been parked. Attempted to again hand tighten filter (probably over-tightened) but the leak continued. Appeared to be coming from the welded section where the "removal" nut is attached. Sent email to K & N to inform them and received NO REPLY. Obviously have no interest in supporting customers who pay and arm and a leg for their filters. Subsequently have seen three or four customer comments that had the same problem with the filter. Obviously K & N must have had a defect with a batch of filters but were too arrogant to care about the issue. WIX xp and Mobil 1 for me.

We stopped using Mobil1 oil filters & switched to Purolater BOSS filters ONLY..we have over 50+ years of automotive service here at "Home City Auto" family owned since 1970 Tucson, Az.

Thanks for informative videos. I use the KN filter exclusively. So far in the last 12 years, I haven't had any issues and run pennzoil synthetic. Oil gets changed every 4-5 thousand miles. The vehicle is 22 years old and runs pretty good.

I’ve used Fram for years and had no idea that they cut corners. I really like the k and n construction but that nut is really nice- that will work well on my Jeep as the filter is in a very tight place - great vid!

The AC Delco, K&N & the older Mobil1 oil filter are basically made in the same plants by the same manufacturer Champ labs ,even the SuperTech is made in the same factory, the newer Mobil1 filter is different & now made by Mann& Hummel

Fram are good as any if you do your oil changes on time. Used them for 50 years and not a single problem

I've been using mainly Canadian Tire Motomaster filters most of my adult life. Never a problem. Just check for leaks, and stay on top of regular maintenance. Pretty simple.

99 Blazer, standard Fram filters, Valvoline Synthetic, 324,000 miles, no issue. Changed every 5k.

The one-inch nut on the K&N is really handy for vehicles that have the filter in a hellacious place - which is many modern vehicles.

The only thing about crushing an empty filter housing, is that the forces generated on the filter when it's on an engine are not from the outside in, they are from the inside out. So it's inside pushing outwards on the filter housing. Also, with the end caps on, as they would be on a vehicle, none of the filters would be able to be crushed this way by hand.

Just switched from using Fram air filters to STP after 40+ years. The STP filter actually looks like it's better made and was like $2 cheaper. And switched over to Bosch oil filters for a couple of dollars more. 2005 Caravan 3.3 150+K miles and running just fine. 👍

If you change your own oil, get a magnetic oil drain plug. You'll be able to see any little filings that begin to accumulate on the magnet when you remove it to drain the used oil. If you see any filings - your engine's trying to talk to you. Listen to it.

Champion Laboratories is one of the largest private label filter manufacturers in the world with global distribution for our customer and partners.

I have used AC Delco Oil Filters with my GM cars for 30+ years without any issues. Don’t need any other filter for my vehicles.

Thanks for this info!

I'd never let a vehicle I own go 20k on the oil or filter. I tend to use the vehicle manufacturers filter on my vehicles.

Is it possible for you to measure the length and weight of each paper filter you tested? Thank you for the excellent video.

This a good video!!! I’d like to see a review of oem/nos oil filters. I have a Nissan Frontier, I use their brand from the dealer. I’d love to hear your input on such items.

I always used what the manufacturer ordered or replacement.Thank you great video till then keep smiling with lol politely and healthy safely thumbs up.

Doing an oil flow test through the filters would be better than looking at them . use used motor oil for the test, then test oil for particulates in oil after test on each filter.

The biggest problem these days is NOT with the engine oil filters, but with frequency of oil/ filter changes! Change your engine oil and filter every 5,000 km or 6 months whichever comes first and you will preserve your engine from expensive repairs.

I always supply the Motorcraft filter to anyone changing the oil on my Ford Transit Connect.

I use ONLY XG version of Fram oil filter (ultra synthetic) in all my vehicles, starting from sensitive 2021 Japanese engines down to 1990 old chevy truck, never let me down, easy to take off because of the rubberized grip and works very well. Good in my book...

Well I have used Fram orange can of death. Many times no problems but change it at 3-4k miles. Actually some of thenOEM Honda filters I read somewhere are made by Fram but are the tough guard ones.

The walmart super tech brand was a great filter for a great price. My walmart stopped selling them

2016 Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi. Fram Ultra Synthetic XG10060 with Pennzoil Ultra Synthetic 5w20 for 3 years. Clean oil. Good pressure. No leaks. No engine noise. Now at 105k miles. All good.

Been using the Fram tough Guard on my 1991 Honda CRX which I bought in 2005 when it had 165K miles, recently hit 321K miles....and no problems. I do change the oil religiously every 2K miles, and use conventional motor oil......

Do some Baldwin filter tear downs! They also have a great website to cross reference filters.

Even with the price hikes of the last couple years, my OEM filters (Mann) are only about $6, if I buy 3 or more at once. Singles can be had at I think Advance for around $10, in a pinch, and $11 at the dealership. They're still made in Germany, too. Aftermarket brands need to show some extraordinary evidence, IMO, to be worth considering, over OEM.

Does anyone remember Hastings oil filters with densite filter medium? Back in the early 80s I worked at a parts store that had cutaways of Fram, AC Delco, one I can't rember and a Hastings. Only the Hastings had metal end caps, perforated inner tube vs wire, beefer anti drain back valve, more inlet holes and a filter medium that was held in place by perforated tube on the outside. Never had a failure with one even in over pressure situations due to racing applications with pump relief pressure set higher.

Thanks for this video, very informative. Do you have a video for motorcraft oil filters? Earlier this year I bought my first brand new F150. The dealership did the first oil change and since they use motorcraft oil and filter I decided to do the same when I did the second oil change. My last F150 I bought pre-owned and used mostly Fram oil filters, but since I've seen several videos of inside of Fram filters I stopped using them. Thanks again!

You covered just about everything that makes up an oil filter except the important parts. You need to talk about what media is being used and how many pleats are in the media. Oh and by the way weren’t there any hold down springs inside those filters when you took them apart?

Thank you!

My dad owns 2010 Escalade that burns oil like crazy . We are planning to do the update upgrade to lower the oil consumption soon but something that we learn is better to buy 10k oil filter does keep the oil but cleaner long run and I also buy the 10k filter for my Camry and I usually change the oil every 5-6k

Acdelco and K&N been using this for the last 12 years and zero issues.

Been running fram filter on a 2001 Chevy s10 with 220,000 miles never had a problem

Nate, Will you test a few different brands of engine oil filters for Mercedes Benz automobiles? Thanks

Which one does the best job of filtering dirt?

Is a silicone anti drain back valve necessary if the oil filter is mounted thread side up on the bottom of the engine?

I’ve got a 19 Subaru STi but I use a Mazda (N3R1-14-302) oil filter over the suggested Subaru (15208AA12A) Would absolutely love to see it’s internals. The Mazda oil filters are made in Japan so I’d think it’s good quality.

Changing your oil regularly is much more important than just the filter. Kinda like controlling your obesity to avoid costly medical bills down the road.😁

Good Stuff Great Tips😄👍🏿 2016 F250 6.2L

Good vid. I use fram ultra on all of my reg gas vehicles.

I think the difference between the cheapest quality filters and the better or best is only a few dollars. I like to go with the Better one not necessarily the best. I change my oil before 5k so I feel well protected

I NEVER seen you do a STP filter!! I can only buy 2 types over the counter for my bike, STP & K&N. The k&n cost almost 3Xs as much too.🤦

Do,s it really flipping matter !!!!!!! I been using Acdelco for many years and no issues and I’ll keep on using them

The K&N filter with the hole in the end can be used in aircraft with a safety wire tiedown.

It's STP for me. No problems all make. All models over 40 years.

The Fram Extra Guard filter media is meant to trap particles at 20 microns or greater. Baldwin is 10 microns. Wix, Mobil 1 and Napa say they are 25 microns. Lots of them are 40 microns. The microns that get past the filter are what damages your engine. According to experts, at 10 microns of filtering, your engine can go 400k miles. At 45 microns, your engine can go 150k miles. All this filtering stops when your filter is full and it goes on bypass. The best choice of filter is one that provides a good balance. If you change your oil every 3k miles, the Fram does ok. I like Baldwin at 7k using a good oil. Some engines are dirtier too. New Honda's oil looks like baby oil at 15k miles. My Ram truck looks black at 7k.

Great series! Would be interested to see Ecoguard filters taken apart. These are used almost exclusively at a regional 5 min oil change chain in the southwest

Are the silicone valve oil stoppers and anti-siez grommets with adhesive backing worth the extra cost?

It's all ones preference I use fram tough guards and actually like em

I use Amsoil and their filter. You can’t beat it. The best imho.

How can we do our own research?? What isuggested for a 2016 Letsuck RX350 emergencyehicle - used for emergentransport of blood and medical items any time, 24-hours. Mobile 0W-20 full synthetic used. Have been using Fram Tough Guard cartridge filters. The Super Tech filter looks very similar but seems to have a slightly less length filter. Thank you.

If you do a comparison of oil filters that are a cartridge filter by Super Tech, AC Delco and Fram base filters are the same.

How about doing a filter from super tech Walmart? Is it made by the same manufacturer as ac delco or k&n thanks

Curious to see the inside of a Napa Gold vs Wix...

Which filter would be the oil filter overall?

I love this channel.. GOOD JOB NATE.. GOD BLESS YOU..

Good video. I heard Fram was ???. Yet I'm running them. 3,ooo mile changes. 10/30 conventional oil. ( $600 scrap yard '89 rebuilt 350 in '87 Suburban. NO oil burn or leaks 5 yrs now.) I love my Black Bomber, and I'm going AC Delco (or KN) next change. I use Conven oil because it burns. No smoke, no problem. Western Ma.,USA, Feb 2, 2021

That so called cardboard isn't really cardboard. It does look bad, but it will do the job. Personally, if I use a Fram filter I use either an Ultra or Endurance. For the small amount of money difference between a low-cost filter and a higher quality one, I say go with a better filter. Mobil One, Purolator pure one or Boss, or whatever, why not just get a high-quality filter. Just my 2 cents {after inflation just isn't worth much anymore}. Another great video Nate.

It's about the holes on top for returning to engine did you see the difference?

Well balanced explanation, pastor "material" !

The Fram Ultra synthetic filter is a beast. It's a quality filter.

I have been using it for 10 years the K&N Gold Filter And Air Filter with stock, cold intake, manifold, modified with one pair of panty hose over the filter. I’ve seen it work with the debris. It leaves inside air, filter, closed compartment. Also using K&N Cabin Filter. 😎🤙✅

I use the K&N. It's more money, but it's worth it.

A good test would to be is too chill the oil down to -5 degrees and flow the oil through the oil filter and into the a container and time how long the oil fills the container.

Those end caps are not card board there synthetic fiber fram also makes many of the oe oil filters for many companies as long as you don’t go over 5 k on the orange fram filter and high mileage filter you’ll be fine they make it pretty obvious on the box where it says up to 5 k if fram oil filters destroyed engines they would have a huge law suit on their hands and retailers like Walmart wouldn’t be selling them

Great vid frame major problem is Q.C issue many oil filter & battery made by 4 big company thats the secret

2001 Ford f 150 with 400,000 miles with fram filters and still running like a top

There is no issue with Fram using cardboard on it's econo filter. Only a High Performance engine would need to worry about collapse. Nobody with 400+ HP should use it but very fine for an econo daily driver using conventional oil.

Which one do you think is the best? and which one do you recommend

K & N had a big recall a year or 2 ago for can splitting open... not fun esp when your driving an instantly oiled back tire on a motorcycle

I've used Super Tech oil filter for years and they do as well as most of the other filters for a lot less money! I won't however run a Fram filter.

I've opened up many filters after they've been used and found that the filtering material gets cut play the rough surface around the holes in the metal tube in the middle of the filter

Yes sir Toyota Corolla 2020 model right now I'm getting free oil change I'm on my last one and then I will be at the parts store please give me your best opinion on what filter and oil thanks in advance very very much appreciated!!

i've been using frame since 1997 when I bought my first car, and did my own oil changes, I had no issues with them. I changed the oil so frequently and on-schedule that when I sold it back to the dealership, the mechanic said the engine basically looked unused, and he said that I should ask for more money. I told him no because I wanted to get rid of the Honda Civic. It was very strange since he worked for the dealership.

If you want to compare these filters, you should check the used oil and see how much each of these filters could really do the job...not just by their look...I have tried almost every single filter on the market on my turbo engine with mobile 1 full syn oil for the last 14 yrs, and sent used oil to the lab to check for each of the filters at 5k miles used...results came back to show fram ultra was one of the best filter for my engine, but not much different between these filter. I have used fram ultra for the last 14 yrs on the same engine! Just change oil + filter regularly between 3k or 5k mikes, if you have few extra dollars the buy decent filter, if not just buy any filter, most import thing is changing oil+filter every 3k miles (regular oil) or 5k miles (full syn oil)...I dont trust the 10k miles or 20k miles oil changes...save $30 for oil change, then spend $$5k for new engine, it doesn’t work for me.

We ran Fram on the farm and never lost a motor. I heard enough crap about them I stopped. Oil filters are important but there are other things that affect engine life.

wth is this MUSIC LMAO 😂 IS THIS VIDEO A CONTINUOUS MOVIE TRAILER

I been using fram oil filters all my life and never had any problem so I will keep using this great product

Which is better K&N or Purolator?

If you use Amsoil, even they tell you to atleast change your filter and top off with fresh oil to bring it to full.

Fram XG (Ultra Synthetic) are great filters. Used them for 10+ years on many vehicles. The orange can, basic one is trash though, best used as a paperweight.