Fram makes decent air filters. The only questionable products they make are the oil filters. I have a fram air filter on my truck right now and the next one will be a fram too.
OEM quality worse than fram
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Don't mean to be rude, but just go to the auto parts store and take a look for yourself...
Did this myself, and although I would have never guessed, the STP beat out the Fram and Purolator in my application...
Thanks Jelly
I will take a look at the STP's. I wonder if Champion makes them? Both Fram and Purolator look about equal. I was just really shocked that the Motorcraft looked so lousy.
I will take a look at the STP's. I wonder if Champion makes them? Both Fram and Purolator look about equal. I was just really shocked that the Motorcraft looked so lousy.
Says so right on the box...
Obviously (I think...) the answer to this question is going to depend upon which "OEM" we're talking about. So far, I have yet to find an aftermarket product that either fits as well or is as will made as the Nissans that are spec-ed for my G35. Of course, the ^$%* things cost about 2x the usual price for aftermarket, but air filtration is not something I'm willing to gamble on. Of course, that's just me.
I was looking at air filters for my son's '02 Escort. The Fram looked o.k.. Then I opened the Motorcraft ($4 more) and was surprised at the very poor quality (all samples).
The rubber on the MC cone filter was molded very rough and uneven in thickness. The sealing edge looked o.k., but overall the "fit and finish was mediocre. I believe it would work fine.
Anyone have a good recommendation for the later Escorts, 2.0 engine?
Thank you.
The rubber on the MC cone filter was molded very rough and uneven in thickness. The sealing edge looked o.k., but overall the "fit and finish was mediocre. I believe it would work fine.
Anyone have a good recommendation for the later Escorts, 2.0 engine?
Thank you.
I may be changing my tune on the Fram air filters being OK. I was firmly in that camp that they did their job just fine.
However, my latest purchase for my F150 included a note indicating that the filter had been redesigned and was the correct filter.
Comparison of the old and new showed what appears to be a significant decrease in the amount of the filter material and the sealing end has a LOT more floppy sealing material that makes it hard for the unit to sit correctly in the air filter box. We'll see if I am happy with the new unit in a few thousand miles...
However, my latest purchase for my F150 included a note indicating that the filter had been redesigned and was the correct filter.
Comparison of the old and new showed what appears to be a significant decrease in the amount of the filter material and the sealing end has a LOT more floppy sealing material that makes it hard for the unit to sit correctly in the air filter box. We'll see if I am happy with the new unit in a few thousand miles...
There does seem to be noticeable build quality differences in different filters within a given manufacturer.
They probably all work. And, just looking at physical characteristics as Jelly suggests, doesn't really tell you anything about the media/filtering quality.
They probably all work. And, just looking at physical characteristics as Jelly suggests, doesn't really tell you anything about the media/filtering quality.
Instead of just bashing my suggestion, would you like to offer up another alternative?
Comparing "physical characteristics" is the only way I know of for the average consumer to buy the best product for his/her specific application...
Also check to make sure the filter covers the airbox entirely. I ran into a problem with my 2002 Cavalier where all the aftermarket filters were about 1/4" too small on one side. Had to go to the dealer and get raped for 15 bucks on an ACDelco filter. It was the only one I found that fit properly (didn't look at Wix, though).
Ouch......my comment was meant as an observation, not a bashing. No offense intended. You are right, and that is the problem..there is no way to tell.
When I was writing that comment, I was thinking back to an air filter thread at Edmunds some time ago where a Wix engineer was describing all the different grades of media paper they used for different "brands" of Wix filters. He said it was nearly impossible to delineate media quality through visual observations.
So, a filter with "less perfect" rubber castings could have better media/filtering and vice versa.
Why haven't we anal-ised air filters as much as oil filters? Considering most feel that full flow oil filters don't do much, air is probably more important.
[ February 07, 2005, 10:00 PM: Message edited by: doitmyself ]
Sorry for jumping on you...
And yes...we should scrutinize air filters more than we do oil filters.
Well Jelly........I have just retrieved my big foot out of my mouth and I give you permission to give me a big "I told you so". (I hate when a young whipper-snapper is right!).
I went out and did the "Jelly" inspection test of air filters for my Escort and was very surprised. This is a cone style filter. Here's what I found.
The Motorcraft($17) and Purolator($12) look almost identical. O.k. media, but the rubber base was very distorted, uneven, excess flash, etc..
The fram($12) is ok., but has an entirely different shape - cylinder, not cone. Somewhat cheaper looking.
I didn't have a chance to check the STP, but from your approval, I bet it is better.
NAPA Gold (Wix $16) - superior looking in all aspects. Media is gold color, very substantial, thicker, fuzzier, about a dozen more pleats. Rubber is formed near perfect, very smooth, cushy, no flash whatsoever. Looks so much better than the others - like the heavy duty Donaldsons for my tractors.
HERE'S THE KICKER: My workplace has an account with NAPA, when I told him I work there, the price dropped to $10!!! What a mark-up.
Lesson re-learned: It pays to compare .....and, different filters within a brand may be of unequal quality. While this Wix looks superior, maybe a filter for another application might be inferior.
I went out and did the "Jelly" inspection test of air filters for my Escort and was very surprised. This is a cone style filter. Here's what I found.
The Motorcraft($17) and Purolator($12) look almost identical. O.k. media, but the rubber base was very distorted, uneven, excess flash, etc..
The fram($12) is ok., but has an entirely different shape - cylinder, not cone. Somewhat cheaper looking.
I didn't have a chance to check the STP, but from your approval, I bet it is better.
NAPA Gold (Wix $16) - superior looking in all aspects. Media is gold color, very substantial, thicker, fuzzier, about a dozen more pleats. Rubber is formed near perfect, very smooth, cushy, no flash whatsoever. Looks so much better than the others - like the heavy duty Donaldsons for my tractors.
HERE'S THE KICKER: My workplace has an account with NAPA, when I told him I work there, the price dropped to $10!!! What a mark-up.
Lesson re-learned: It pays to compare .....and, different filters within a brand may be of unequal quality. While this Wix looks superior, maybe a filter for another application might be inferior.
FWIW I changed my OEM Jeep air filter and was suprised at how cheap it was compared to Fram. The Fram even had a foamy "pre-filter" before the paper media. The OEM did not.
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