20,000 mile Fram Filter

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Originally Posted by ZeeOSix
OP must not hang out in the OF forum too much.
wink.gif



I mostly read the new posts on the left side of the home page .
 
Thanks for the post, I just ordered a 6 pack of these filters for my Cummins. Was running Amsoil O80's, but these Fram look as good at less than 50% the cost.:)
 
Since this is basically the same filter that in the 2011 GM truck forum comparison was one of the best filters (in fact, one reviewer here said it was the best value, if not actually the best performer), I don't know why you are surprised. The filtering looked very much like the Royal Purple and AMSOil filters then. I'd expect AMSOil to rename its EA15K series EA20K and have a 20000 mile warranty.
 
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Yep . It is evidently the top of the line for Fram . I run shorter OCI's and buy cheaper filters . So , never looked into the top of the line filters .
 
Originally Posted by rinkevichjm
Since this is basically the same filter that in the 2011 GM truck forum comparison was one of the best filters (in fact, one reviewer here said it was the best value, if not actually the best performer), I don't know why you are surprised. The filtering looked very much like the Royal Purple and AMSOil filters then. I'd expect AMSOil to rename its EA15K series EA20K and have a 20000 mile warranty.


They will have to do more than that because they are charging like $20 a filter and if I can save $7 on Fram Ultra here then no reason to stay when Frams filtration on the Ultra is slightly better than the EA Amsoil filter
 
When oil filters are easy to get to, i change them often.
When you need to ramp up the car and remove shields etc., I leave them on for 2-3 oci's.
The Ultra allows you this option.
 
Originally Posted by Zee09
When oil filters are easy to get to, i change them often.
When you need to ramp up the car and remove shields etc., I leave them on for 2-3 oci's.
The Ultra allows you this option.



I think that is a good call. Way easier this way.
 
..... but.... the Ultra is not alone in going 20K. We have enough proof in past threads and posts that numerous mid-level oil filters can do the job too.


BTW...... I would never buy a ''car'' again. Just trucks, SUVs and Crossovers. Those skid-plates or shields are part of the territory. But I won't buy any vehicle, if the skid plate requires four or more long screws or bolts to remove. My Colorado 4X4 has a shield, but it does not interfere with removing oil pan bolt or oil filter.

One can buy a vehicle that's easy to change oil. You just need to investigate each at the dealer. When I arrive at a dealership, the first place I look is under the hood - then under the vehicle.
 
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Originally Posted by Triple_Se7en
..... but.... the Ultra is not alone in going 20K. We have enough proof in past threads and posts that numerous mid-level oil filters can do the job too....

True, but none look as good as the Ultra's (as far as mid-level flters).

I would almost dare to say an Ultra is a "lifetime" filter for an engine in good condition.
 
Originally Posted by Triple_Se7en
..... but.... the Ultra is not alone in going 20K. We have enough proof in past threads and posts that numerous mid-level oil filters can do the job too.


BTW...... I would never buy a ''car'' again. Just trucks, SUVs and Crossovers. Those skid-plates or shields are part of the territory. But I won't buy any vehicle, if the skid plate requires four or more long screws or bolts to remove. My Colorado 4X4 has a shield, but it does not interfere with removing oil pan bolt or oil filter.

One can buy a vehicle that's easy to change oil. You just need to investigate each at the dealer. When I arrive at a dealership, the first place I look is under the hood - then under the vehicle.



Man... I haven't bought a car or truck in almost 6 yrs.....

I don't care for SUV or CUV... Trucks I'm all right with.

But I'm not looking to buy anytime soon. Hopefully.

You are correct though about checking everything out prior to getting the vehicle. That is a very good idea.
 
Best of luck to you . I am not brave enough to go anywhere near that long on oil or a filter .

Wife helped me change the oil , yesterday PM on the 2015 Chevy Sonic 1.8l that she drives . Currently using Pennzoil synthetic 5w30 and a Mobil cartridge filter ( ordered from RockAuto.com ) . Both looked ok , but the oil was dark . Getting late and the light was failing by the time I finished up . So that probably made the oil look darker ?

Besides , I have been told darker oil does not mean much .

This was on about 4,500 mile OCI .

That little car is really low to the ground ! Had to jack it up a little .
 
If you are familiar with the oil brand thru past experiences on same vehicle, then color of oil does mean much. I have found the two brands that stay lightest the longest are Pennzoil Platinum and Valvoline white bottle. I use and have used 5W30s for almost three decades now.
 
Originally Posted by Triple_Se7en
... I have found the two brands that stay lightest the longest are Pennzoil Platinum and Valvoline white bottle. ...
Why do suppose that is? Pennzoil Platinum stays light remarkably long for me too, but so did the two other brands of synthetic I had in this car. I wonder whether that's a good sign (less dark contaminates form to pollute the oil than with non-synthetics in previous cars) or a bad sign (the oil isn't carrying off the contaminates).
 
Originally Posted by CR94
Originally Posted by Triple_Se7en
... I have found the two brands that stay lightest the longest are Pennzoil Platinum and Valvoline white bottle. ...
Why do suppose that is? Pennzoil Platinum stays light remarkably long for me too, but so did the two other brands of synthetic I had in this car. I wonder whether that's a good sign (less dark contaminates form to pollute the oil than with non-synthetics in previous cars) or a bad sign (the oil isn't carrying off the contaminates).


I recently, within a month or so, did an oil change on my son's new to him 2008 2.4Ltr Ecotec engine Malibu.
I used 5w30 Pennzoil Ultra Platinum in it and just checking his oil level today via the dipstick. I couldn't believe how dark it was getting already.
I know the previous owner, who kept all her receipts, used whatever oil the garage stocked as it says nothing about the kind/brand on those receipts.

My conclusion is, the garage likely used a cheaper bulk type oil rather than anything stellar so that is why it's turning dark so quick?

I was going to leave this oil in until next spring, but now, after seeing how dark it is getting in such a short period of time, I may just do another OC come this November?

My wife's Impala and my Ram, with a lot more miles on the current OC looks roughly the same with a lot more miles on the oil.
My wife's current OC with almost 5000 kms on it has a OLM reading of 33% remaining. My Ram with roughly another 3000 on the oil has an OLM reading 68%.
My wife's drive is city traffic of less than 20 kms a day. My truck is 50/50 hwy/city plus a few trips to our trailer and back this summer (123 kms one way)
 
Ultra Platinum composition is different from regular Platinum. Could explain why one gets darker earlier.

One needs a relatively clean engine to conduct tests like this. For some oils get dark early, despite the engine being relatively clean. For instance: There are a few oils now that work better on carbon buildup. So thinking your engine and dipstick remains clean/clear after 2-3K - that everything is alright inside/ Well maybe not! Oils like Valvoline Modern Engine can remove carbon pretty well and change your dipstick color in a hurry. But another oil brand may show a clear dipstick, because the buildup of carbon still exists.

It's similar to cleaning the barrel of your rifles. One cleaner produces a white patch eventually. Then switching your cleaning brands to another product, your cleaning rod and patch suddenly become black again for at least several more patches.

With guns, buildup like lead, copper and plastic suddenly appear also on patches, depending on the quality of the cleaner..
 
Originally Posted by irv

I recently, within a month or so, did an oil change on my son's new to him 2008 2.4Ltr Ecotec engine Malibu.
I used 5w30 Pennzoil Ultra Platinum in it and just checking his oil level today via the dipstick. I couldn't believe how dark it was getting already.
I know the previous owner, who kept all her receipts, used whatever oil the garage stocked as it says nothing about the kind/brand on those receipts.

My conclusion is, the garage likely used a cheaper bulk type oil rather than anything stellar so that is why it's turning dark so quick?

I was going to leave this oil in until next spring, but now, after seeing how dark it is getting in such a short period of time, I may just do another OC come this November?



I think it's a good idea to keep this first interval short and change it again in November, just because the Ultra Platinum could be doing a lot more cleaning on this first interval, and then you could probably run the second interval of Ultra all the way from November 2018 to November 2019.
 
Originally Posted by Patman
Originally Posted by irv

I recently, within a month or so, did an oil change on my son's new to him 2008 2.4Ltr Ecotec engine Malibu.
I used 5w30 Pennzoil Ultra Platinum in it and just checking his oil level today via the dipstick. I couldn't believe how dark it was getting already.
I know the previous owner, who kept all her receipts, used whatever oil the garage stocked as it says nothing about the kind/brand on those receipts.

My conclusion is, the garage likely used a cheaper bulk type oil rather than anything stellar so that is why it's turning dark so quick?

I was going to leave this oil in until next spring, but now, after seeing how dark it is getting in such a short period of time, I may just do another OC come this November?



I think it's a good idea to keep this first interval short and change it again in November, just because the Ultra Platinum could be doing a lot more cleaning on this first interval, and then you could probably run the second interval of Ultra all the way from November 2018 to November 2019.


I think that is what I am going to do, Patman. As far as running it until next November, well, that likely isn't going to happen but I guess that will be based on how many miles he puts on it between then?

His car, most likely, won't see a lot of, if any, hwy driving. I purchased this car for him to get him back and forth to school and other errands so most will be short city stop and go drives.
I will keep an eye on it and his OLM then decide but I think one more, after this upcoming winter is over, will be in order before I go annually.
 
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