Never use Fram Filters
 

A few months ago I asked about using a Fram Filter on my FB, because they make them larger than Wix or any other major brand. I was told they're junk and I've been researching them.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f197/...s-bad-1049800/

Pictures of a Fram cutout, the paper anti-drainback valve, and the genuine junk inside. What is even more disturbing is Fram makes OE Honda filters, so they have the ability to make good filters, but make garbage ones as well for the price of a Wix. I always use a Wix filter, and thanks to certain guys on here, they brought to my attention how bad Fram really is.

This is a Wix cut open, I've always been a fan of Wix filters.

http://img523.imageshack.us/i/wixtoyota7500lv4.jpg/sr=1

+1! fram makes garbage not filters!

actually if you'd cut open a japanese made mazda oil filter (there is a us made one too), you'd throw away the wix, its not that great either

those jeep guys are dumb! of course you're not going to have a FILTER problem with fram, there IS no filter! you measure an oil filter by how well it FILTERS...

I had been a loyal Fram customer since my first Auto's shop class back in '74. My teacher drilled in our heads Fram filters and Valvoline oil. And that's all I'd ever used....until I watched a youtube video showing 6 or 7 major brands (Wix, NAPA, Bosch, Fram, STP, and I think Purolator....and a few others). Hands down the Fram was the crappiest of the bunch.....I'm not even sure they ever filtered any oil at all. Pure crap!
Wix and NAPA came out on top (btw....there was absolutely no difference between the regular NAPA and the NAPA Gold....except the paint on the outside....and the price!).

on my RX-7's and RX-8, i always use the oem mazda oil filter. in a pinch i have a wix, a purolator, and a purolator pure one filter on the shelf. i have used napa brand filters with excellent results. i will not use another filter brand other than what i have in the garage.

I've been using K&N oil filters for the last couple of years. No issues, but they are a few dollars more than the others...






.

Oh wow, I've been using fram ever since I gotten my fc.
So go with napa or wix huh?

speaking of filters..has anyone got one from mazda lately...the mazda i went to two months ago gave me these new ones...they are white..i think there made here now...vs japan..

all the mazda filters i've bought recently have been black with the japaneese scrawl on the side

Good stuff, guys. I've never had problems with Wix filters, and they filter very well. I am a fan of them. K&N filters are actually made by Champion Labs, as are Mobil 1. While we're on the topic, here's a list of the companies that make filters.

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters/

Wix makes all Napa filters, and Carquest filters. They also make Parts Master and Pro-tec filters. I've cut open Fram Filters, and the cardboard shit inside is glued to other cardboard, and this is supposed to handle oil pressure? The cardboard shrinks over time. I hope Rxtasy3 reads this, because he has said he uses Fram filters.

I use Wix 90% of the time. Good ol' NAPA Gold 1347. Sometimes I get a Bosch (Champion Labs) if NAPA is out of stock on the 1347, and they work quite well, too.

I use the Mobile 1 filters. They are as good as the K&N at less cost.

good! grab a case!

there are a bunch of different MFR's for the mazda filter.

there is a japanese manufactured one which is superior. they pack the filter media in a weird shape, so even though its a small filter, its got the most filter media of any filter that fits the car. B6Y1-14-302

there is a canadian one, its blue, i know nothing about it.

there is a US made one, B6Y2-14-302. it seems decent, black.

and the NEW US ones are white. i don't like the white, but other than that it seems ok.

OEM Mazda filters for me.

I like Napa Gold 1347 (tall) and 1334 (medium).

Has anyone ever cut open a FRAM HP1 racing filter. I have used them in the past on a Mustang racecar because they have a high strength case and the mustang had allot of oil pressure. Just curious....

Generally we use Mazda filters on our mazda racecars at the direction of more than one engine builder

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfj9KUv0pKY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BQha...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMyCpAqkJZ4&NR=1

This filter bashing always seems to come up every few years. I have seen indepentent testing (many years ago) that showed most all replacement filters were similar as far as particle size removal rates - bypass rates, etc.; however Fram actually came out slightly on top. I wouldn't believe what you read on the internet or judge a filter by its internal looks. Proof is in the actual testing. I'm sure things have changed in the last few years, but search for test results - not you-tube videos.

The OEM Mazda filters has always treated my daily drivers fine (thats all I use), and I'm not here to support Fram in any way, but lets assess test data before craping on someones product with opinions based on how they look. I'm sure if you search enough forums, there's posts on how crappy OEM or WIX filters are as well based on a bad experience someone had.

i personally have never had any problems with fram filters. and i go way longer between changes than what i should.

That's pretty much how I felt...never had a problem....so I was a loyal customer for 30+ years.

Once I got a look at how cheaply the Fram was made...I wondered if the thing ever even filtered anything at all

I have always used OEM oil filters. If I'm in a rush I'll pick up a K&N.

One of a couple of sites that did very objective analysis of a lot of oil filters. This is
kept pretty well up to date. Read it and make your own decision.

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters/index.html

I will only use Fram filters. Everytime I go to walmart I buy all they have.

Fram filters are JUNK.

They filter so great it reduces oil flow the pressure builds and crushes the cardboard.
Then they don't do anything but ruin your engine.

I have had a bad experience with Fram garbage.

I had 86 OLDS Cutlass older person car well kept. I put frams on it after some time of using Frams the engine started ticking on start up and warm up. Then a little ticking all the time. At the time I didn't make the connection.............Next car--->


I had a 86 BMW 325 it was a grandma car low miles ran great. I used Frams on it same shit...ticking on start up and warm up. Then a little ticking all the time.

The same time I had the BMW I had a 91 JEEP Cherokee Started to use frams then I heard that frams are junk. Then it all made sense.
My jeep was starting to do the ticking thing not real bad. I stopped using Fram and the ticking pretty much went away.

It ruins your car if you do any kind of spirit driving, racing or higher RPMs they can't take the pressure or let the oil flow well until it pops.

Low oil flow messes up you valve train then pops and sends crud into your engine. Then you get the ticking. Just like this site says http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters/index.html

When I read that I was like Yep been there done that.

Do what you want but I will NEVER buy a Fram filter.

Every time I see a picture on this forum with someone's hood open I look at the filter. When I see a Fram I just shake my head and think of the cars Fram has ruined for me.
Rotary's do not have valve trains but just think of all that crud scraping at the chrome in your housing with bad oil flow and heat makes me shiver.

WIX/NAPA First choice for me. Purolator/ Pure One ...being my second cheaper choice I have not had any problems, ok for a DD.

^
Great post. I totally agree. Wix all the way, Unless you want to get fancy with Mobil or OE. I have been spreading the word about Fram filters to friends and stuff. It's amazing how many people buy their garbage, and insist it's ok.

+1 I do the same. The Honda OE filters are made by Fram and are very good, but that's the kicker. They make this trash and market the hell out of it to the mostly naive, yet they can make quality filters, but make this trash that millions use.

Its called greed and its what usually turns otherwise good companies producing
quality products into average companies with slick marketing and poor products.
Case in point, GM.