oil filter brands

[Transit]

You are really not going to like this answer. Long ago I read articles about oil filter ratings and much to my surprise all the brands are manufactured in the same one or two factories, Monday its Wix and Fram, Tuesday its Bosh and Mopar and so forth. That was 10 years ago, now they are made in China. The factory makes filters to the brands specifications and they are different, but none the less all come from the same factory.

 

[Diamondpilot]

You are really not going to like this answer. Long ago I read articles about oil filter ratings and much to my surprise all the brands are manufactured in the same one or two factories, Monday its Wix and Fram, Tuesday its Bosh and Mopar and so forth. That was 10 years ago, now they are made in China. The factory makes filters to the brands specifications and they are different, but none the less all come from the same factory.

This is true. I read a article on my Nissan site. A guy went and bought a factory oil filter than about 14 others. Some were $2.50 and some were $12.00

What he found by tearing them all down was there were basically 4 companies building them.

Fram= Fram and some oil branded filters like Pennzoil, AC Delco, and House brands
Wix= Wix, Napa
Purolator= Puroilator, Castrol, Valvoline, and newer Pennzoil
Champion= STP, Valvoline, AC Delco, Super Tech (WalMart), K&N, and many OEM's

The most interesting thing I though was the Super Tech and the K&N were the same filter except for the nut on the K&N. The Super Tech WalMart filter was $2.50 while the K&N was $12.00

Yes, you still have other brands like Fleet Guard and Baldwin but they make up less than 1/10th of 1% of the filters sold. I do not know where I could even buy one of them around here other than the truck stop.

He also said that some were better than others but all meet OEM specs and he would not hesitate to run any for standard duty. He likes some better for extended runs like 7,500 miles or more.

Chris

 

[Z71]

You are really not going to like this answer. Long ago I read articles about oil filter ratings and much to my surprise all the brands are manufactured in the same one or two factories, Monday its Wix and Fram, Tuesday its Bosh and Mopar and so forth. That was 10 years ago, now they are made in China. The factory makes filters to the brands specifications and they are different, but none the less all come from the same factory.

There is more than 1 or 2 filter plants. No way 2 plants could produce all the oil filter sold everyday in this country.

 

[WH401]

I normally stick with OEM on everything unless I can find the filter cheaper from Fleetguard or Baldwin.

 

[bp fick]

The statement "all filters are just made in one plant, anyhow" is inaccurate in spades. Of course there are a half dozen plants in the US alone.

That said, yes, one plant, operated by one company, will indeed produce filters with a plethora of "names". SOP.

The master company of Purolator makes many "named" filters and Baldwin/Hastings is now a division of Purolator.
Fleetguard is a division of Cummins Filtration.
Champion is a separate company, making filters for many, many names.
Wix is another.
Fram is yet another.
There are more. There are many companies and many manufacturing plants.

 

[clemsonfor]

i figured super tec was made by fram as they use the same #'s instead of a ph-?? is st-??. But that makes sense why the new supertec filter is shorter in the 8a ford filter just like the stp version of the 8a ford filter.

Carquest filters are also made by wix i think! Well it says Affina on them that my not be wix.

 

[Z71]

Well it says Affina on them that my not be wix.

2004 Wix sold to Cypress, became part of Afinna
Wix alone has 13 plants world wide, 3 in the USA

Sales Divisions
CARQUEST Sales Division
P. O. Box 1692
Gastonia, NC 28053-1692


NAPA Sales Division
P.O. Box 1892
Gastonia, NC 28053-1892


WIX Sales Division
P.O. Box 1967
Gastonia, NC 28053-1967


Wix OE/OES Sales
P.O. Box 1967
Gastonia, NC 28053-1967


Wix Filtration Products - Europe
West Bay Rd.
P. O. Box 52
Southampton S015 ODP, England

 

[bilrus61]

My Kubota OEM filter for my L5040 cost 13 bucks and is made in Indonesia. I got a WIX that says made in USA at O'rilleys for $7. The WIX has a wider rubber seal that I like better. The Kubota filters used to be made in USA and they worked fine in my L4200. WIX for me from now on.

 

[Bob Ha]

Interesting: Last week I did the research to determine which filters to purchase. Since this question is about engine filters I'll list those prices. I looked at others that are not listed but they were either to pricey, not convenient or couldn't cross reference with faith. I liked the oem because there oem and the Wix because O'Reilly is on every street corner. I decided on oem mainly to support my dealer(s) and the price.

New Holland (oem) $13.10
I was able to cross reference to these brands.
Wix $13.41
Baldwin $16.20

Funny thing during my research is the oem had a wide range of prices from dealer to dealer. There were big differences even from same dealer at different locations.

 

[svcguy]

Interesting site for those interested:

Oil Filters Revealed - MiniMopar Resources