I’ve been a mechanic for 47 years. I did this same thing years ago trying to find the best filter for my customers. I was very shocked at how terrible Fran filters are. They are such a well known filter that is absolutely JUNK as you’ve proved. I can’t stress this enough to people how critical this is. Keep up the great videos and I hope a lot of people will listen to the truth you speak. Thanks
I absolutely agree. However, the Fram Ultra is one of the best filters on that market that is readily available on the shelf. I would venture to say they are as good or better than the Tokyo Roki filters.
@@cpftank09 I run the fram titanium and run the Tokyo Roki filters on my frs. You won’t see any cardboard end caps on the Fram Ultra or titanium. The orange can Fram filters are what they are a cheap bargain filter meant to be changed at 3000 miles. It will get you by but it isn’t anything special. Run the Tokyo Roki, wix, Mobil one, Bosch or Fram Titanium. It’s a roll of the dice running a cheap filter it could be okay or it could prematurely ruin your engine.
@@brianeighties4481 exactly. I’ve seen the cut away of the titanium and it’s impressive, looks like the “old” Ultra. But the Ultra is almost half the price and I doubt Fram made it worse when they revised it recently.
@@erickamekonapeper4007 I haven’t seen any filtration tests to indicate that the Tokyo Roku is any good. Yet there independent filtration tests on the Fram Ultra and it has some of the best filtration and flow rates out there. Wiz is good too, but not available everywhere.
Something to mention on bypass valve, WIX is the ONLY oil filter to my knowledge that specifies the bypass valve pressure, and its identical to what subaru requests.
I went down this rabbit hole years ago trying to find a good quality filter. Oddly after HOURS of comparing datasheets and reading all witch way of forum posts I also discovered the Mazda filter as a direct fit replacement. Now granted all mine are EJ engines but as I recall the specs match close enough that it works out alright. My local Mazda dealer needless to say was incredibly surprised when I told them these are also Subaru filters in the JDM.
@@dwendt44 that's not a problem for the EJ-series engine since the filter is mounted on the bottom. It would not be recommended to grab a Mazda filter on newer FA-series of engine.
I’d advise against this, the bypass valve and it’s spring will probably be a much different pressure and spec required to activate them compared to the one for your vehicle.
I own a shop that rarely works on anything other than European cars, but I do deal with filter failures a lot. What I can say is you guys are looking at quality criteria that may not really matter. One of my favorite brands , and an OE brand for BMW and Benz uses foam end caps ! I'm not sure the end caps made by fram would be a problem. I guess to test it, you could throw it in boiling water for a few hours and see what comes out? Most of the cars I deal with use insert type filters, and failure is readily seen during service. A very common failure is of filter media collapse due to improper filter media manufacture. The media, is (I believe) cellulose base soaked with resin(?) and after a while operating in the engine, absorbs some moisture. The cell fibers swell and stop flowing oil. Long service intervals made possible by synthetic oil and winter operation aggravate the problem. I've seen this fault on filters that come in from a cars serviced with "STP"( had "made in USA on it), NAPA Gold, Service champ(?), and unbranded "made in China" filters. I have saved examples to prove it. I have had customers towed in with sized engines from this. 5 in the last ten years, but more than a dozen filters in that time from a wide range of cars. This includes a Napa gold that I bought last year for a Volvo V70 , and the next time the car was in for service, the oil filter was obviously affected. Instead of having straight sides, the filter looks like an hourglass shape that I typically see from this type of failure. To the credit of the Napa store I bought it from, the owner took pictures and got on the phone right then and made the right people aware of it. Now I stick with Mann, Mahle, Hengst, or Kencht (Purolator, now made by Mahle) . No doubt there are other good brands. Just not for me.
Hi Mr. Subaru, I have a 2008 Outback that I bought while living in Montana. I went to the local NAPA store to get an oil filter (no Subaru dealer within 100 miles). The owners are huge Subaru fans and told me that the NAPA gold 1334 filter (made by Wix) is much better than the 1/2 a beer can size stock filter. They explained that the relief valve pressure (bypass valve and values) are the same - as is the threading, oil passages and fitment. That was in 2014. I've been using them ever since and have had no issues whatsoever. The NAPA gold 1334 filter is quite a bit larger but it really isn't any big deal. Thank you for your time, Doug
looks like same application as the Purolator 14459! spin on that's listed for basically all the Kia/Hyundai engines that don't use cartridges, some of the STIs, and a couple of the old DOHC timing belt hondas :)
After watching your original oil filter comparisons, I went online and purchased the good stuff from Amayama. Great price, fast delivery. Recently I needed more filters, and again Amayama to the rescue. Not only were these replacements Japanese spec'd, but even with the added shipping from the UAE, three filters were cheaper then going to my local dealer and getting one crap USA made filter. Thanks again for the great info.
The pressure release valve being stiffer in the made in Japan Subaru oil filter has a function. It keeps one side of the Subaru boxer engine from starving for oil while in high speed cornering and tight cornering situations.
In my country (Chile), is easy to buy the black one filter. Last week I did the 275,000 km oil change with the black filter that I have always used, but the blue filters began to appear since few years ago. Since I saw your first filter analysis and comparison video, the blue ones have rejected me.
Just got my oil and filter changed at my local Subaru dealer and noticed that they used the new version. I was a bit concerned that it might be a cheap knock off, but after watching your video I would say it's as good or better than the old style.
Wish I saw these earlier, I bulk bought the Made in USA version, and used it on 2 oil changes. I just ordered the Mazda version. Thank you. Mr. Subaru.
The "emergency" filter is nice. I hope they keep that one. I'm using the lower profile wider filter for the STI on my 23 Outback. At least that's what my dealer put on when I asked them for the Japanese filter equivalent.
Dunno if it's just the camera angle... but the cardboard end caps on the original USA filter look so close to the sides of the can id say thats your biggest flow restriction right there. The oil coming in has to squeeze through, what appears to be less then a 32nd of an inch gap to reach the filter media on the sides. The bypass oil (should the bypass open due to restricted filter or cold weather) has to be forced past both the top and bottom end plates though that tiny gap.
The made in USA interim filter looks better! Not surprised Subaru actually had to go more expensive when their cheap supply ran dry. I wouldn't worry about the plastic cage unless you try to pull a crazy change interval and run in the cold. Wrong bypass pressure also not shocking and will save the plastic support. Interesting Subaru is willing to use lower bypass after all the aneurisms on the internet over the years. Still makes me wary of the interim filter. Strangely, most sources say AC Delco filters are made by Champion Labs, AKA Fram. There is also a lawsuit for false made in USA claims. Who knows currently. Tokyo Roki obviously still supreme. How many Tokyo Roki filters do you have in stock, anyways? Hahaha.
@@you_can_fuck_your_own_ass_69 Wix is definitely better than Champ Labs. They are part of the Mann+Hummel family now, but had multiple factories and still do. The design is superior. The website says 11 facilities in 8 countries.
@@you_can_fuck_your_own_ass_69 Champion Labs makes ACDelco and Supertech filters, and these interim Subaru filters appear the same. Fram used to be made by Honeywell, as is USA made Honda and Subaru filters, but Fram is now part of Champion Labs. Fram and Champ Labs appear to still have separate filter lines though. Wix is now owned by Mann+Hummel, but I think most Wix filters are still a separate line of filters than Mann filters.
It's been a while since I've gone deep into oil filter sources, but I remember Champion Labs being the manufacturer of a huge amount of filter brands a few years ago, including some of the best and worst on the market.
The Subaru filter with the spiral metal tube inside is more eco-friendly because it will recycle easier than the other filters with the phenolic cage inside. The first step in recycling oil filters is to crush them, and when you do that with the plastic cage inside, it breaks down into a lot of little pieces that can't be recycled with the rest of the metal parts in the filter.
@@jerryyoung6494 A lot of places that change oil will recycle them for free, just call. They don't like to do this, because it is extra work for them, but many will do it if you're polite about it. I also think it's the law that any place that sells motor oil has to offer recycling services.
Super good information. The dealership put a Napa filter on my 18 Crosstrek and I wanted to get the facts before confronting them. I get the filter shortage but they didn't say anything to me about it or charging me full price for an alternative filter
FWIW, when my 1999 OBW was new, the Subaru oil filters that came on the car, and from the dealer were made by Purolator and said both Subaru and Purolator on them. I have been using Purolator filters in it almost exclusively. I still drive it.
The filtering media might be different. The OEM Subaru filter made by Fram uses totally different media than what Fram puts in their Extra and Tough guard series. You will never find a torn Subaru filter made by Fram.
I'd love to see your opinion on WIX filters, especially given the OEM blues are out of stock. A lot of aftermarket oil filters have lower bypass pressures (assuming to fit different engines/manufacturers) and the old EJs (and likely FA/FB) require higher to the tune of about 23PSI. WIX was the only filter I could find for the EJ that was the exact same bypass as OEM and has metal endcaps.
Wix has poor filtering efficiency. Their rated efficiency is with 40 micron particles, as the particles get smaller, wix really has poor efficiency. I actually use Fram (gasp!) ultra synthetic filters. Fram ultra synthetic filters have good construction, and the best filtering efficiency available.
One of his older videos on oil filters he cut open wix and compared it to all other brands witch he cut open also , look into his past videos you should find it , i switched to wix xp from K&N after watching his video , puralator are also good
When I bought my Forester, I also got some free oil changes from the dealer. When I learned they were using the blue USA junk I couldn't wait to take over the oil changes. After a lot of research, I settled on the Purolator Boss PBL14615. It's pricy but they claim it uses a superior media to hold up for 15,000 miles between oil changes. As soon as I get the first one off, I'll cut it open to see what the media looks like.
4:57 Yikes. Yeah when my son gets his new WRX in spring, I think we won't be using Subaru branded filters, if THAT's what they are. :( I've always liked Wix. I just checked a few videos with a Wix oil filter cut open compared to other 'leading' brands and that seems to confirm Wix is doing a lot right. I think that'll be my choice.
Purolator boss is made by wixs it is the same as the XP line. And if you have a Menards near you they saw them there and they are a lot cheaper than the parts stores
Not sure why the algorithm showed me this today, but I happened to have a handful of AC Delco branded filters, and I have to say aside from the sticker that says AC Delco on the side, these look identical in every way
I'm glad I didn't abuse my dealer in my Google Maps review. When I saw this unbranded filter after changing the oil a few days ago, I was shocked. Thought they finally started using fakes.
Great video. Very informative. When you take the used cartridges out, pulling out the cellulose filtering media could show how much, if any, garbage gets caught...
The replacement filters are Champion Labs. Just like AC Delco as you mentioned. These are really not much better then the Fram made filter. Possibly worse filter media. It’s a travesty that Subaru and Honda use these as OE in North America. I don’t know what they charge for these but I’m sure the customers think they are getting the “Japanese engineered” best. There are so many better aftermarket filters out there.
@@chipyeahoo In my experience with the blue Delco filters they were not filtering as much as other premium quality filters that I have seen. I would take an educated guess and say they were catching 80% at 30 microns. I try to use 95% at 20 microns or better. I wouldn’t use any Champion labs just as a rule. I know they can make a decent filter, for example, some Mobil 1 filters but I’m not going to guess what premium filters they are making. I buy filters with the maker proudly stamped on the box or can. No guessing.
@@chipyeahoo I certainly don’t doubt anything you are saying. Many, many engines will go the distance on basic filters, but factory filters keep getting smaller and less quality, then what I’ve seen in the past and engines get ever more complicated. I’ll stick to higher end filters that I can see are catching particles when I use my filter cutter vs the cheap and factory filters that are catching almost nothing. The contaminants come out in the oil change. I like to see them trapped in the filter instead.
Keep hearing the bypass valve pressure is so important for Subaru, but here we can see even oil filter supposedly made for Subaru's doesn't even have the same standard. /shrug
I’ve read about this too. I think the alternatives are better, but I’ve also read that the blue filters are still okay, giving owners no big problems. If given the option, I will definitely choose the alternative. I haven’t tried yet, and it hasn’t given me problems yet. I am thinking of trying it next and observe for any differences.
@@nowiecoche For the time being, I went and bought the Mazda oil filter that's the same spec as the previous Subaru black for my oil change. Going to wait and see until SOA sort this mess out.
The way I see it now, GM's philosophy on oil filters is, "keep flow high and make the bearings be the restriction." Hence the E-Core filters. It's a far cry from what Fram wants with the cores having such small holes in them. With these new engines, I'll trust either the ACD or Wix filters if I can't find anything else. Good info though!
Purolator boss is the same as wix XP Menards sells them they have a bunch of old stock and they are made in the USA but you are correct the new wix filters are Chinese or Vietnamese junk
Another great video, Mr Subaru. I will do my best to find Japan or Mazda filter for the FB series engine in my 2019 Crosstrek. I really love your channel. It this kind of content that makes me glad that RU-vid exists...LOL Keep up the excellent work.
When you recommend a Mazda filter you have to make sure that the oil flow in a Mazda engine is similar to the flow in a Subaru engine. Otherwise you may end up with the oil bypassing the filtering media in the Subaru engine. The Subaru BRZ oil flow is about 50 l/min at max RPM. So 5 litres of oil circulate through the motor 10 times a minute. Other Subarus engines are a bit slower but the flow is still high compared to other cars.
FRAM filters used to say in their advertising “pay me now or pay me later” like they were a better investment over other brands. Obviously this was before everyone learned how poorly made they were! At this point FRAM simply represents the benchmark for hot garbage in filter comparisons and testing.
In the 1980s and early 1990s, FRAM was the best testing oil filter by Consumer Reports. Then the company started getting bought and sold and spun off and all the other corporate do-si-dos and game playing with money, instead of making excellent products. Like so many other once fine companies, they took an excellent name, cheapened the product and ran it into the ground.
I was just at Walmart today I got the Walmart filter and I got the filter from K&N. They were the same exact filter look inside to see the little blue Relief valve, you see the Cage of the filter material. The steel plate same. The number stamp. Oh more filters of just as good as pretty much what’s out there I’ve been using them for years and I’ve got hundreds of thousands of miles on my cars to prove it that they work. All you’re doing is wasting your money on the higher price stuff
14:13 the perforated inner brace/support appears to have vastly different hole count. minor difference likely in OEM spec and they're both better than US filter but maybe not an exact rebadge/print
Haven't had issues running Wix 57712 XP filters on my 2.5L EJ Turbo ('14 WRX) nor the previous blue OEM Subaru filters on 3-4K mi OCIs. Currently trying out the Mazda black filter (N3R1-14-302) and it's visibility better than both as well as being able to take in more pre-fill oil before installation (more capacity & filtration). I use Motul X-Cess Gen2 5w-40 engine oil as I live in a hotter climate and am modified a little past "stage 2", although oil brand/weight doesn't seem to matter much as long as you're changing it in the proper intervals.
Excellent video. Thank you so much for the Mazda alternative. I wonder, if you cut the filter media on the blue USA one and the blue "emergency" one, would the filter medias measure the same if stretched out flat on a table. Really more for curiosity though. I always grab a K&N Oil filter, that is until now when I'm going to go get me some Mazda ones. 😁
I work at a shop that specializes in Subaru’s. We now use Honda oil filters that appear to be made the same as the original Subaru filter not the replacement. If anyone is interested I can post the Honda number.
hey just be sure to inspect the o ring and its the same style, weve been using aftermarket filters at my dealer and some after markets will leak sue to the type of o ring is used on the filter, the ones ive been seeing leak is the ones hat have a large flat surface. one even leaked so bad it spew oil everywhere onto the belt and destroyed it. they traded in her car lol. weve had at least 5 comebacks on aftermarket filters thinking it was the techs fault. until we really stopped and looked
I had no idea that the original blue subaru filters were that shoddy. I used mobil 1 filters on that car for its last 100k miles and had good luck with them.
the 15A replacement is made by Champ labs/Fram, GM doesn't manufacture their own filters anymore every one I saw was made by Champ labs same as the Supertech from Walmart and the same for the smaller one.
My father was a mechanic 1950-1990’s he always stressed about quality filters, lubricants and changing them properly. “If you take care of your car, it will be there when you need it”.
Never been a fan of the Subaru blue filters. Used them only because of warranty but since there's now a supply problem I will just go to wix, been using them for years not a single problem. EAC on the jap box as well as a wix so I'm sure they are from same manufacturer or at least the parts are.
I feel for the Subaru owners, Honda had filters made by a company called Filtech now they’re using fram!!🤬 Guess I’ll be switching to mobile1 filters now!!
I have done a lot of oil changes using acdelco oil filters and STP oil filters I can tell you the yellow markings are in fact look very close to acdelco brand oil filters
Do a video showing the premium FRAM filter that filters down to 3 microns when the Subaru only filters 20 microns. "FRAM TG16 Premium Filter" They are the ones I use on my Jeep
In regards to the blue replacement filters vs the original blue filters. The replacement filter element appears smaller, but the filtering element is better spaced . Is it possible these filters have the same square inches of filtering material even though the filter cartridge looks different?
interesting to note.. toyotas, probably the most popular brand in the USA, u just buy these cartridges and refill the filters and not the whole housing
All Subarus can accept a larger filter from the Subaru BRZ which is exactly the same as the Honda 2000 filter. Also most Hyundais use the same type of the filter. Just go to a Hyundai dealer and buy a perfectly made Korean filter.
In a pinch if for some reason I burn through all my stash and can not get Tokyo-Roki filters, there are some you've shown in you other filter video that I would use without hesitation, provided they haven't changed since the video was posted, Wix - Purolator - Carquest and from another channel that does filter gutting I think Napa gold and platinum are suitable, I also check another video and the "emergency" filter from subaru looks suspiciously like a Walmart Super-tech filter.
Interesting video! Don't you guys get your hands on Bosch? Here in Europe, especially in Holland where I'm from, Bosch is a very big thing. Literally 90% of all filters, brake parts and sometimes spark plugs (I prefer NGK) I replace are usually Bosch.
I use Bosch stuff but they're kind of the solid choice that's often overlooked. In general I think the average American perceived premium filters would be Mobil1, K&N, and then Boutique filters (Royal Purple, Amsoil, etc). Then you have a history of people who swore of Fram in favor of Wix who is now a part of Mann+Hummel. So now we have the Mann/Wix/NAPA Gold /Purolator line that a lot of people subscribe to and then Fram Ultra got a huge boost in popularity. I think they'd be along the line of Mahle Hengst. Then you have your Bosch/STP/Carquest/Fram, Silver grade, Good enough filters Walmart house brand filters. You have filtration and flow and a lot of the Japanese manufacturers traditionally have more flow than filtration which if we're being honest is probably substantially more important to an engine. I always avoided Fram due to some stories of issues on Hondas chasing oil pressure issues, but now they're the OE manufacturer for Honda. I try to get the slightly higher line of Bosch filter if I can't get my hand's on something from Mahle or the Mann lines. I think many of us are afraid of cheaping out on basic things especially when the cost difference is so low, but the reality is that most people don't change their own oil and cars all over the country are running on bulk service filters from Bosch, Carquest, etc without issue. It's like people insisting that oil filters require metal endcaps and a coil spring because it looks heavier duty. Size, strength, weight, and cost are associated with quality and durability for the general public and the general maintenance tech. Engineers create something that serves a purpose cost-effectively and so many of us think we can outdo engineers with their budgetary constraints. Myths run strong here and marketing doesn't make it any less confusing as well as lack of transparency when the products are revised so we have these weird hangups. Even Toyota shrunk some of their oil filter with a revision spec and people lost their minds. To be fair though the information is hard to gather, keep track of, and stay up to date.
I quit using the trash can blue subaru filters when i learned FRAM was producing them for the north american market instead of purolator which was the previous manufacturer. Honestly if this guy truly knew subarus he should have warned people a long time ago to not use the fram produced blue filter and to use anything else at all even a cheap supertech is superior. I use WIX filters only in our 2015 Crosstrek along with castrol edge 5w-30 full synthetic oil not 0w-20. I change oil and filter every 3-4k miles and have been doing this since it had 30k miles on it and it now has 119k miles on it and has never burned a drop of oil. So glad to see subaru getting away from fram filters because they are death for any engine
Just buy Wix 57055 or Wix-XP 57055xp if you want to also buy the Napa Gold or Napa Platnum. The AC delco bypass valve is at 9-15 PSI where the Subaru is at 27 PSI.
purchased OEM (spin-on style) honda oil filter from dealer. globs of excess glue all over the place, loose filter inside the canister. never had this problem even with the ole bum fram filters.
I just got some radiator hoses for my outback that has an acdelco sticker on them. There is evidence of another sticker that has been peeled off of it. I got them from rock auto.
Okay, so you call yourself Mr. Subaru, well can you explain the critical relief valve pressure I've read so much about, why it's so critical and tell me which of these or any after market filters that meets the critical relief valve pressure so many people mention?
I bought two filters from a dealer and asked the guy and he said that they were permanently switching over it wasn’t the cause of the shortage that they went to the non labeled ones
I just ordered the Tokyo roki one from a dealership in Subaru Miami after getting the emergency filter for first change. I’ll change it at 3k miles and out the black one on. Everything you said about the box for the Tokyo roki was on point. What do you think about KN filters for these cars? It’s my first Subaru after being a Chevy guy for years and I love it. Got a 2023 forester wilderness in crystal silica black
I had a service yesterday at my local Subaru dealer and they put a tiny, black filter on my engine that says made in Indonesia. It also says Subaru on it. Might my new filter not be genuine Subaru because it was made in Indonesia and not Japan? Thanks for the great video and channel. 21 onyx xt Outback
