Is oem Always The Best Choice For Air Filters?

[Tony10s]

I have only used standard air filters (OEM, CARQUEST/Wix, and Hastings) in my current car. All have worked fine as far as I can tell.

 

[ExDelayed]

My CRZ has OE, and it's not oiled.

 

[nycsneak]

My 14 Si air filter is a Filtech and was surprised when I replaced it. I was wondering at first why the dirt on it kind of looked a little greasy. Put in a dryflow afe.

 

[wemay]

Originally Posted By: Tony10s
I have only used standard air filters (OEM, CARQUEST/Wix, and Hastings) in my current car. All have worked fine as far as I can tell.


+1

 

[R2d2]

Originally Posted By: gregk24
I use OEM for my Honda, they are oiled.



OEM for my Accord and MDX NEITHER are oiled.

 

[NO2]

I tried a Fram TG for a '07 Accord V6 and had high silicon levels , likely due to a bad seal and poor fit. Returned to OEM and levels have returned to normal.

 

[CarbonSteel]

I would say - "it depends". The OEM on my FX4 does not work as well as a NAPA Gold filter. The silicon levels dropped fairly significantly when I switched over and additionally, the fit of the NAPA is much tighter in the airbox than the MC filter was. I plan to install a NAPA GOld in my Explorer soon as well.

 

[ToadU]

For my fleet and personal vehicles I buy in bulk and it changes between Mann, Fram, Motorcraft and Hastings. I have not seen any differences except for the box color and the color of the media / rubber between the filters. They all seem to be the same to me. My tow yard is dirt and my wreckers race in and out 24/7 so an air filter has a life of about 5,000-7,000 miles. My personal car is about 10k on air filter and same for cabin air filter.

 

[Greasymechtech]

Washable dryflow aFe... costs 3x as much and have already broken even on two of them. Wash, more like gentle rinse, every year or 10k. I enjoy the 10 mile dirt road commute to civilization a little too much.

I had no problem with ANY filter from the autopart store or dealer...Napa, Fram, STP, Purolater.... just got tired of the waste.