least expensive usable oil filter?

[columnshift]

Note i said least expensive and not cheap, in reference to the indirect costs of actually degrading or endangering the vehicle...

I plead guilty to being the guy who generally buys the least expensive option for both oil and oil filter. Only because I dont know how to sort out the valid information from the [censored], and assuming if it was too bad they wouldn't sell it. However I change very regularily in advance of the normal intervals and have tended to have cars last a good long time.

If your main concern is just keeping costs down and not making something last a million miles on a perfect maintenance plan, which filter(s) would you be using? Are there any that are just flat out [censored] and arent worth putting on even if free?

 

[Donald]

The Mopar or Motorcraft or ACDelco at Walmart.

 

[ExMachina]

Purolator Classics and PureOnes are the only ones to be avoided due to a proclivity to tear their media in service.
All others should be OK. I like O'Reilly Autoparts MicroGard oil filters, made by Wix, but as cheaply as they can, very cheap stuff there. (Cheap as or cheaper than Walmart in my application.)

 

[DemoFly]

Napa pro-select in bulk. $1.90 ea.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Napa Proselect/Silver/Pro-Tec/Microgard

Carquest Red

Casite

 

[marc1]

Originally Posted By: columnshift
Note i said least expensive and not cheap


This pretty much describes me on this subject as well. I buy the WIX black can filters all day long when I visit America for $5. This is a very good filter and for $5 I feel you can't go wrong. On my Shelby, I buy the Ford filter for a little less, I think $4 and some change again, when I am in America. The Ford filter is available at all the usual US retailers (AutoZone, etc.). So I think you can get what you want for the $5 price point easily enough. You didn't post the car so unless it is some bizarre exotic i.e. Veyron you should be in this range.

 

[xshoex]

i prefer STP for some reason. not the best per say, but works for me

 

[rustypigeon]

I use Denso filters at about $3.50 from RockAuto. Very sturdy filters at a good price, even when you factor in the shipping cost.

 

[michaelluscher]

Whatever Rockauto has for the cheapest

 

[HTSS_TR]

Fram Ultra for 15k miles, per 1,000 mile cost is less about 50 cents if buy on sale.

 

[cronk]

Any of the Wix private label filters are a safe bet for an economy filter.
Napa Proselect or silver, Parts master ect...
I just picked up some "master pack" (come in shrink wrap not a box)
NAPA Proselects for my grandmothers Kia for $1.69 each!

 

[BikeWhisperer]

If your a 3k-5k OCI guy, then just go with Wix made house brand filters like Napa Proselect/Silver, Microguard, etc. Fram Extra-Guard would be just fine too. Not a fan of Purolator made filters due to the well documented media tear issues, but most likely do not tear and you'd probably be fine (but I say why risk it?).

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: columnshift
Note i said least expensive and not cheap ...


Those two things are usually mutually exclusive requirements, but going with a lower tier good known major brand is you best bet, as many mentioned above.

 

[FutureDoc]

Truth be told, whatever the "special" is at the time is likely going to be your best bet. I would still avoid Purolator/Tearolator until they get their act together. I tend to go with NAPA Gold/WIX when they are on sale (Napa and OReillys are the closest to my work). So even with the Wix-made Microgards, I am ok paying the $2 extra for the WIX branded filter. I go with a "cheaper" oil as than filter because I (personally) think that there is a bigger difference top-to-bottom on filters than there is on oil.

As far as being "fine" then really any "known" filters tend to be better than you expect and those manufacture-related re-bands are normally a good value.

 

[stchman]

From what I have read, the Baldwin/Hastings oil filters can be had at clearance prices for like $2 each.

I would say the orange Fram oil filters, but even Fram's least expensive filter is starting to approach the $5 price point.