What criteria to you use to get your next filters for your next service appointment? Do you swallow the hook, line and sinker from your service guy?
R. Hiebert
www.lubedealer.com/hiebert

Best filters I know of are made by Wix and NAPA gold is the Wix filter. Not cheap. Air filters use much more material and the fuel and oil filters it's out of sight but the case is stronger metal and more rust resistant.

The chain places can get an oil filter for less than a buck!! It's ok but can't take the abuse of better stuff and it's always right to take care on your car on time even if not the best stuff. T

PS: The up front cost of quality is usually the bargain as things last longer - take more abuse and in the long run are cheaper!
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston

Tom, I couldn’t agree more!!!!
Dirt and metal shavings are the worst enemy to any engine!!!

The largest filter company in the world has it’s world headquarters about 4 blocks from my house. Donaldson Company makes filters for ALL applications…. Heavy equipment engines, Hydraulic systems, air filters, noise filters and fuel filters. They own MANY other smaller filter companies but kept their old names after they bought them out. I have seen the multi million dollar testing equipment they use for testing the efficiency of their filters compared to other brands. They measure the efficiency of oil filters in “microns”……. They actually make a 1 micron hydraulic oil filter!!!! (the lower the micron = cleaner oil) It’s probably overkill…. but they do make it!!!

I’m with Tom on this….. I also use the Napa Gold filters on my vehicles. Pay a little more money now and it will pay off in the long run!!!!

The hydraulic engineers that I know always preach “filtration, filtration, filtration” They joke about cheap filters… “Cheap filters only filter out the particle that that someone could stub their toe on”.


Brian.
Kitty O'neil 412 mph in 3.22 sec. in 1977!!!

I agree... The filter is an important part of any system.... I just bought a wix filter from amsoil and it cost a pretty penny, but I've been getting about an extra 2-3 gallons worth of mileage every week so that its price is well offset.

As with the 1 micron filter is a bit over kill but it sounds cool to someone that wants the best possible filter in their car or system.

I did a little test on my freshly rebuilt 2.2L Mazda PU engine. No expence was spared on the rebuild (checkbook is still recovering ). New oil pump, hot tanked the block, the works. I was running a Fram oil filter on it but didnt like the way the oil pressure was responding during in town driving at normal operating temp (I am running a mechanical oil pressure gauge). When taking off from a stop the pressure would slowly build up to 45-50psi (10w30 Castrol) before I shifted. I put a NAPA Gold on it this morning to see if there was any difference. Picked up about 10psi on the cold engine (was 60psi now 70). In town the pressure responds much quicker but is still about the same PSI, maybe slightly higher. Normal operating temp at 65mph in OD is still 45-50psi.
I am guessing the difference is better bypass system in the NAPA filter.
94 Merc Sable 188k
91 Mazda 626 228k
89 Mazda B2200 177k

74 Torino Elite
70 Torino Cobra

This thread started a long time ago now. I just did filters in my cars and again with NAPA gold and they are more expensive. As I said back when they were made by Wix and I have to check to see if they still are. With all the companies competing I hope they don't sacrifice quality for those who are willing to pay the extra for it.

It's been my career's experience that quality in general is less costly in the long run. I find the better filters last longer and are more efficient. Can't say I notice fuel filters as far as driving but I sure don't want one to mess up fuel injection because of a few bucks up front,

T
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston

Hi there!

I'm working on a research project for which the topic was assigned. I know nothing about car maintenance. I'm sure you are far more knowledgeable on the topic than I am. Could you take my survey here (Car Maintenance Survey) and then post what you thought of the survey? Should I add any questions? Did it make sense? I'd really appreciate it.

Thank you!
KSMP

Can't complete your survey. Keep it simple and just ask what folks are seeking in a product and sort it yourself. This survey just attempts to create some marketing chart to sell filters at chain parts stores which is important. Professional techs buy for price or quality and would usually have both available.

Sales personel at parts stores should be trained experts and rarely are. It's a trade unto itself and should be. Car parts shouldn't be like buying groceries. Market should be demand driven by reputation not the best underhanded marketing!

T
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston