Looks like we have another class act here who, while displaying a suberb vocabulary, didn't bother to actually read motorking's previous posts. Case worthy of immediate dismissal.
(Edit: I wrote this before someone actually did dismiss the offending post.)
There are some pertinent points to be made though. I for one have absolutely nothing against Fram per se and certainly nothing against Honeywell and their other fine products. However, the real world prospect of pursuing a claim against a filter manufacturer for most of the type of potential damage to a motor that we are discussing here is simply not practical. Obviously, this does not include visible failure such as collapse of the element.
As respects cutting the filters open for comparison, this has, of course, been done. I stopped using Fram filters several years ago after a study was referenced in the Forum in which someone carefully analyzed most of the filter brands. I am too lazy to look this up right now so am going on memory, but the base Fram model did not fare well based on several criteria. At least one, and possibly both, of the upscale models (Double Guard and Tough Guard?) performed okay in the comparisons. Again, disclaimer, I am relying on memory here but I know the Fram came out poorly in this study.
What I don't know is whether Fram or anyone else has changed the makeup of their filters since that time. Perhaps we are being "unfair" here, but let's face it, it's human nature to translate "one Fram is 'inferior'" to "all Frams are 'inferior'" and a lot easier to just go down to the parts store and ask for Wix or whatever than try to do the research to determine if Fram has improved their (basic) filter. And the fact that someone makes a good racing filter does not necessarily translate to their making a good filter for my dd.
I would guess that motorking knows more about oil filters than about 99% of the members of this forum and could do not only his company but
members a service by helping us understand why Fram is an equivalent product. Just saying to cut them open is probably not going to get the job done.
Pelican,
The "study" that many peope on the internet reference is really just a guy cutting open filters and offering his opinion. There is no filter tesing on that site, just opinions. Filters are tested to ISO standards since 2002. Back then the automakers abondoned SAE test protocols and adopted international standards.
Serious filter makers test to a standard called ISO 4548-12. This is a test that uses a defined particle size (20 microns) and measures both filtering efficiecny and capacity. Any repuatble filter company will either advertise these test claims on the box or on their respective websites. We do, WIX does, Purolater does, not sure about others. It si test that anyone concerned about using a quality filter should be looking at.
FRAM has taken a beating on the net for having fiber end caps on their filters. We have used this manufacturing method sucessfully for over 25 years. It is in fact used by Honda and Subaru OE filters, Bentley OE filters and even AC delco has recently adopted this style of manufacturing. It works, and it is not a structural element of the filter at all though many think that it is. Toyota OE filters have even competely removed end caps from their filters, sealing the end of the media with glue only.
FRAM makes five levels of oil filters. Some dissatisfaction results from using our least expensive( and highly efficient) oil filters on modified engines. When you increase the oil pressure and volume in an engine, you should be using a racing filter.
Here is a run down of what we sell-
FRAM Extra Guard- this is our least expensive filter that you find anywhere filters are sold. It is made for 3-4k oil changes and has over 96% efficiency. Cellulose media, nitrile anti drain back valve. It is not recommended for extended oil changes or high performance engines
FRAM Tough Guard- Similar to extra guard, except it has synthetic weave in the media for 99% efficiency. It also has a stainless screen over the bypass valve, silicone anti drain back valve and is recommended for up to 7500 mile oil changes.
FRAM Extended Guard- this is our flagship filter. It has double ply full synthetic media, wrapped around a stainless screen with metal end caps. It has 99% efficiency, can trap and hold alost 3x's the amount of dirt as a standard filter. It is recommended for up to 10k oil changes when used with synthetic oil. It also has silicone antidrain back valves. Our internal testing shows that it outperforms Mobil 1 extended life filter, Amsoil extended life filter and K+N. The Mobil 1 and Amsoil are close but we do test slightly better than they do in capacity and efficiency. Now, it does cost 8-10 bucks and I know that I will be critisized for that as well. if you want the best, this is it and it costs less than the comparable Mobil 1 and Amsoil filters, considerably less.
FRAM High Mileage- Same filter as the Extra Guard except it contains a basket of additive inside that slowly dissolves over the life of the oil change. the additive basket conditions seals and maintain the PH balance of the oil in a high mileage engine. this technology is being used by UPS and other fleets in tesing right now to possibly extend oil changes well into the 40k mile range.
FRAM Racing filters- These are the filters that the High Performance guys should be running. It is amazing to me that a person will spend 10k building an engine and screw a 3 dollar filter on it. Our racing filters are built to withstand up to 300psi, with a thicker can, robust construction internally, high flow rates, built in bypass valve (for those old school guys who eliminate this valve from small block chevys). it also has screen backed media and a screen over the bypass valve to catch any shrapenal when needed.
We also have a full line of remote mount and double remote mount filters that feature 2 qt capacity, super high flow, billet mounting block with cleanable 10 micron screen before the filter.
That is the FRAM story for what its worth. I use FRAM on my 600hp mustang, my Cadillac CTS-V, my lawnmower, dune buggy and have not had any issues. We get letters every day from people who are hardcore FRAM users telling us about vehicles with 400-500 thousand miles on them.
We are an OE suppler to MACK, Honda, subaru, Onan and a few others.
I know that we stand behind our products 100%, our quality claims dept is customer focused, not screw the customer focused. We sell 100 million filters a year, if we had the problems that some claim we do, we would be bankrupt.
