Fram Tough Guard Oil Filters

[Man of Steel]

There's an webpage/article floating around regarding test results and analyisis of oil filters that some guy did independantly. I'm sure some of you know which article I'm talking about. Jugding form the article the author does hae some technical knowlege and does make some valid points. In his research he found that Fram oil filters perfom poorly and that they can damage your engine. I use Fram filters most of the time and have not had any problems. Has anyone had any bad experiences with Fram oil filters??Check this out:http://minimopar.knizefamily.n....html

[ColonelPanic]

I used Fram filters many a times, and my father used 'em for a long time before that - never had an oil filter blow up an engine. I've only used AC Delco filters with the Vibe though, since I let the dealer change oil in the thing.

[Pick]

I've used Frams for years, every now and then i'd use a different filter and never had a problem with any engine EVER.

[mikey00]

This study is loaded with a lot of observations and assumptions but nothing that convinces me that that Fram does not do the required job as well as any of them. I do agree that by observation some do appear better but this very well could be over engineering.

[binary]

This is a junk "research" story... he makes a lot of personal oberservations and introduces a LOT of biased comments.Just taking a filter apart shows the guts - testing it for filtering efficiency is where we may actually learn something. Alas, most of the quality assumtions are based on ripping apart the filter.

[goodvibe]

If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck.... Frams suck except for the expensive X2. It's interesting thatt they go to better endcaps and more media like others do in their top filter. If it wasn't a better way to do it then why bother? I've seen the standard Frams taken apart after use with torn and colapsed media. Almost any filter or even none is OK for a short oil change but why buy an inferior product when there are other choices like Purolator that don't cost more, flow better and hold up. There are early VWs that lasted a long time on just a screen for filtering. It doesn't mean that you shouldn't use the best product that you can find at a price.

[JustinVGT]

Yeah I used to use the Fram filters. I used them on 2 or 3 oil changes. Then I read this article and decided to go with the Purolator which was about the same price. I haven't had any problems with either one, but after hearing the Purolator is better, I thought I'd rather be safe than sorry.

[scott_h]

I think dad always bought Fram back in the day. Since I've started reading more about my individual cars in the respective forums, I've read a LOT of 'stay away from Fram' threads.

[zionzr2]

I will use fram filters no more....seen too many anti-Fram filter threads myself....My cavy now has ACdelco and my vibe now has a Puralator One.

[Altus]

AC Delco's are good, so are Denso (Toyota), Kralinator, Purolator, Wix, Napa Gold, and Mobil 1 -- all really good filters. Fram's X2 is a good filter, but for the price you can get better, and most people just don't want to support their crap filter sales by paying for them. All the other Fram oil filters, and that's ALL are crap - you're taking chances with your engine by using them. Substandard construction, poor anti-drainback valves, poor bypass valve design, etc.For all you ever want to know about oils and/or filters: http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi They've just changed so that you must register and login to see the forums, but it's worth it - hey it's free.

[drunkenmaxx]

man, that sucks. i really like the grip on the frams, i didnt even have to break out the filter attachment for my ratchet!

[Altus]

Hey on our engines, you shouldn't need a filter wrench for any filter -- if it was properly installed anyway. But I'm tempted to pick up a strap-type filter wrench that goes on a socket extension to make things easier.

[drunkenmaxx]

Quote, originally posted by Altus »Hey on our engines, you shouldn't need a filter wrench for any filter -- if it was properly installed anyway. i know, but with that damn oil on my hands, it's hard to grip sometimes. the one i have is made just for our filter! its a metal thing that goes right on the ratchet..

[Pick]

I still can't believe how tight the factory filter was put on. I destroyed it getting it off.