Vehicle Oil Filter Recommendations?

[rockhound78]

Years ago I cut apart about every brand of oil filter I could find around town, just to see how they were constructed. The premium Wix and NAPA platinum were top in my book. I understand they go down to 5 micron filtering. What was surprising was the WM supertec was in third place. A Honda filter for my Gold Wing at the time, was also excellent.
Been using NAPA platinum or Wix XP since then, if I can get them for what I need.

 

[Shooter13]

What's your go to oil filter?

I've been using Wix for years but recently had couple of guys say they are junk and had their motors lose all oil pressure because of a Wix filter failure.

Wix is one good filter, from diesel, gas or oil. I owned 2 NAPA Auto stores and that is WIX is who makes NAPA filters (wix #51515 NAPA 1515 and so forth). I sold thousands to strip mining companies and they depend on their equipment. Just my $.02

 

[Twicepop]

There is a lot of "hate mail" for Fram filters here. Years back when I was playing around with cars that was all I ran was Fram. I used the HP series and never had a bad one, Hastings was a good filter also, don't know if these are even still around.

 

[M-61]

Simply look it up.... There's tons of videos and even a UT student wrote a paper on it..... I used them forever but now I use Mobil 1 filters or factory filters only acdelco , Toyota etc... I need the filter to actually filter and not bleed down on modern engines... It's s shame but just another sell out....

Well it is ‘simple’ to look it up. It’s not simple to get reliable nor accurate information.
You inserted “…not bleed down on modern engines…” . I’m totally unfamiliar with this phrase. I’m lost as to what this means and further lost about ‘on modern engines’. Seems to imply that on modern engines this is even more detrimental.

 

[22BRGUY]

I can't help but wonder if some of these super filters might not get
too restrictive to flow rate. I don't even know if they publish flow rates but I
would think if a filter filtered out all of these low or sub-micron particles, are they
also restricting lubrication to parts of the engine that could cause other problems.
Just a thought.

 

[drop_point]

I can't help but wonder if some of these super filters might not get
too restrictive to flow rate. I don't even know if they publish flow rates but I
would think if a filter filtered out all of these low or sub-micron particles, are they
also restricting lubrication to parts of the engine that could cause other problems.
Just a thought.

As I understand it, flow and filtration are not mutually exclusive.

 

[Zeke 225]

Baldwin filters what I use,changed a lot of oil in my time, like 450 gallons for the sump, Baldwins was what we got when we order filters.

 

[M-61]

I can't help but wonder if some of these super filters might not get
too restrictive to flow rate. I don't even know if they publish flow rates but I
would think if a filter filtered out all of these low or sub-micron particles, are they
also restricting lubrication to parts of the engine that could cause other problems.
Just a thought.

Good thought
Most filters have a by pass valve. As the oil filter becomes ‘clogged’ or the oil is too thick (high viscosity) the by pass valve (hopefully) comes in to play. This allows the oil to BY PASS the filter and go directly to the engine.
Now, you mention ‘super filters’. One would hope they have a by pass valve (and it works) so that this ‘super’ filter does not impede oil flow as it builds up with microscopic particles. Personally I have no experience with these filters.
Today manufacturers recommend no warm up at all.
I totally disagree. ( in fact this is mandated by the EPA for pollution reasons. The EPA could not care less about your engine life) in fact those first few moments are the ones where the most damage (wear) can occur. The oil has drained down overnight (hopefully a ‘film’ has remained on parts) and that film will suffice until the oil pump is supplying oil to the engine. It is during the starting where the most pollution occurs therefore they (EPA) wants you driving off immediately to reach operating temperatures as fast as possible. Something like a runner jumping out of bed and immediately running a hundred yard dash. ( not a great analogy)

 

[22BRGUY]

As I understand it, flow and filtration are not mutually exclusive.

Anything a liquid is forced through will affect its velocity or flow rate to some
degree. A filter I would think must be somewhat restrictive in order to filter,
especially when they advertise these low micron numbers.
They are not mutually exclusive but the velocity of the liquid coming out
must be reduced to some degree.

 

[M-61]

One way to witness 22BRGUY’s response is you have a well for water and an inside filter.
When you purchase filters it states what size microns it will filter. If I were to buy one of these super small filtering ones I’ll see the result when I turn on the water faucet. Restricted would be one way to put it, and that’s from the start. Wait a few weeks and you’ll wonder where the water went.

 

[drop_point]

Anything a liquid is forced through will affect its velocity or flow rate to some
degree. A filter I would think must be somewhat restrictive in order to filter,
especially when they advertise these low micron numbers.
They are not mutually exclusive but the velocity of the liquid coming out
must be reduced to some degree.

Yes, but what is it being forced through? Remember, there are different medias, pressures, and different viscosities, as well as a life cycle of the media. Ultimately, a filter can be more efficient in flow and filtration than another filter.

There are many technical threads on the bobistheoilguy.com forums.


One I was reading on the subject at one time: https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/low-micron-filters-and-flow.305578/

 

[BP1]

AMSOIL on my Duramax and whatever the oil changing place puts on my Hyundai Elantra chic car.

 

[22BRGUY]

Good Article! It sounds like the oil pump has a lot to do with it but then are all
oil pumps built on this same delta design?

 

[22BRGUY]

One way to witness 22BRGUY’s response is you have a well for water and an inside filter.
When you purchase filters it states what size microns it will filter. If I were to buy one of these super small filtering ones I’ll see the result when I turn on the water faucet. Restricted would be one way to put it, and that’s from the start. Wait a few weeks and you’ll wonder where the water went.

EXACTLY!

 

[drop_point]

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/oil-pumps

 

[22BRGUY]

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/oil-pumps

Great Research! Now do those super fine filters clog up faster due their better
low micron filtering?

 

[drop_point]

I think from the oil nerds, the general consensus has been that one is more likely to see engine damage from debris than restriction in oil flow. I've personally been reading on this off and on for the last year trying to determine the best filter for my new truck once the free oil changes stop. From my reading, the OEM may not be the best for longevity of the engine.

 

[DGP4]

Hmmm.
You trust a source that has not been updated in 20 years?
Not trying to pick a fight but in that amount of time all (or at least most) of that data gleaned from testing may have changed.
I've never really given much thought to oil filters. Express Oil Change does my service and I'll see just what they use next trip there.

I do trust it because it was done in a scientific manner. I doubt that "filter technology" has changed much in the last 20 years. Maybe it has? I can agree that if you change your oil and filter regularly it probably doesn't matter which one you use. However, with the longer oil change periods brought about by synthetic oils, the quality of the oil filter becomes more important.

 

[drop_point]

Great Research! Now do those super fine filters clog up faster due their better
low micron filtering?

From what I'm reading that really depends on your oil. The Best filters, from what I'm reading, were designed for synthetic oil. The purpose of the synthetic oil is that it lasts longer before it begins to break down--especially additives. Breakdown of the oil and its additives is more likely to cause clogging than anything. The nerds seem to think a 10,000 mile synthetic oil change/premium oil filter change should occur at approximately 7500 miles, depending on how they are driven where dino oil/standard filters need changed at 3,000.

I bought a new truck last year and really don't want to do that again anytime soon...I want this one to last. Especially considering the way our EPA and government want to push us off petro.

 

[M-61]

I think from the oil nerds, the general consensus has been that one is more likely to see engine damage from debris than restriction in oil flow. I've personally been reading on this off and on for the last year trying to determine the best filter for my new truck once the free oil changes stop. From my reading, the OEM may not be the best for longevity of the engine.

Just wondering were you read that about OEM filters and longevity. I’m very interested.
Was it one manufacturer or did they list which ones?