Who’s the manufacturer and where’s the cheapest place to buy these?

[Nicasio]

I see the MicroGard Select filter is the same as the Premium Guard Extended Life and STP Extended Life. Aside from the colors/stickers and boxes the only difference is that the STP is made in China. Also, the STP says 20 microns vs 25, but that’s probably just a typo. Can we buy these somewhere cheaper in bulk? Oreilly’s is $10.99 and Autozone is $9.99.

 

[blufeb95]

STP Extended life can be either Premium Guard or a Champ XL, Rock Auto has both, you can get them cheaper if you buy in bulk to save on shipping.

 

[DannyM]

Can we buy these somewhere cheaper in bulk?

Look in your vehicle's oil filter section in Rock Auto and look for "Various MFR" .. that is the filter.. and it will come with either Premium Guard , Parts Plus or Pronto sticker..... the STP might be somebody else.. I have seen a few different suppliers for their XL filters.

Here is an example for the Premium Guard/Parts Plus/Pronto model: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=6839076&cc=1442648&pt=5340&jsn=2934

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Why are you assuming they are the same thing?

Baseplates are different. Gaskets are different. Stated efficiency is different. COA is different.

 

[fantastic]

As far as I've seen the STP XL's are 99%@20.

 

[53' Stude]

STP Extended life can be either Premium Guard or a Champ XL, Rock Auto has both, you can get them cheaper if you buy in bulk to save on shipping.

In years past I cut and posted some STP blue cans made by Purolator. The silver STP filters I had for my POS Toyota wee Purolator also.

 

[Nicasio]

Why are you assuming they are the same thing?

Baseplates are different. Gaskets are different. Stated efficiency is different. COA is different.

You’re right. Looking at these pics the MG S is different. The PG EX and STP XL look more closely alike.

 

[DannyM]

You’re right. Looking at these pics the MG S is different. The PG EX and STP XL look more closely alike.View attachment 160420View attachment 160421

It just depends on the model Microgard....

Here is another Microgard 51356 below.. which is from this post https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/cut-open-microgard-select-msl51356-virgin.344106/

 

[bbhero]

The difference in those two filters… is the model number and obviously the baseplate… which correlates with each filters differing application and numbers.

Otherwise… they both are PG made.

 

[bbhero]

You’re right. Looking at these pics the MG S is different. The PG EX and STP XL look more closely alike.View attachment 160420View attachment 160421

They are the same… Federated Auto parts sells their XL filters which are exactly like these two pictures.

Now I have seen STP black filters that are clearly Champ made now in my area in southeast Va.

 

[Scott S]

If I'm not mistaken, those premium STP filters are made in China, the $5 STP filters, the Ecore design is a champion filter.

 

[SC Maintenance]

As far as I've seen the STP XL's are 99%@20.

The microgard is 99%@25um. So that by itself likely means there different to some degree.

 

[blufeb95]

If I'm not mistaken, those premium STP filters are made in China, the $5 STP filters, the Ecore design is a champion filter.

The Extended STP filters as of late are Premium Gaurd XL made in Vietnam filters or Champ XLs.

 

[Scott S]

Okay so the ones that are American made are Champs and they would be basically the same ones that I posted a picture of, but it was a Champ XL label..

 

[JGmazda]

Confusing me....??? STP is not the same as the Microgard. If the STP is a Champ filter, and made in China, then it's not a Microgard.

O'reilly Auto is the primary supplier of the "Microgard". Versions of this filter can be the "Premium Guard" or "Parts Plus" or "Various MFR".

Soooo.... outside a base plate difference, the way I tell is the COO. If it's it's made in Vietnam, then it probably comes from the same factory as the Microgard.

Not 100% on the Autozone STP line. AFAIK, these are not made in Vietnam.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Confusing me....??? STP is not the same as the Microgard. If the STP is a Champ filter, and made in China, then it's not a Microgard.

O'reilly Auto is the primary supplier of the "Microgard". Versions of this filter can be the "Premium Guard" or "Parts Plus" or "Various MFR".

Soooo.... outside a base plate difference, the way I tell is the COO. If it's it's made in Vietnam, then it probably comes from the same factory as the Microgard.

Not 100% on the Autozone STP line. AFAIK, these are not made in Vietnam.

You will never really know until you cut one open and compare - including the media under a microscope. That’s assuming they don’t change something before you buy the second one.

 

[fantastic]

And let's throw in the curve ball that manufacturers are not bound to just a single supplier. As an example: I've seen Fram bounce from a USA made filter to China back & forth over the years on the filter for my truck.

 

[Scott S]

Confusing me....??? STP is not the same as the Microgard. If the STP is a Champ filter, and made in China, then it's not a Microgard.

O'reilly Auto is the primary supplier of the "Microgard". Versions of this filter can be the "Premium Guard" or "Parts Plus" or "Various MFR".

Soooo.... outside a base plate difference, the way I tell is the COO. If it's it's made in Vietnam, then it probably comes from the same factory as the Microgard.

Not 100% on the Autozone STP line. AFAIK, these are not made in Vietnam.

The one in AutoZone for my particular vehicle, the last time I looked was made in China..

 

[Scott S]

Amazon has a PG in stock for my vehicle got in for my vehicle, question is do I want to make that Chinese plunge.. LMAO

PG Oil Filter, Extended Life PG2500EX | Fits 2009-2020 various models of Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Honda, Jeep, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury, Mitsubishi, Ram, Saab https://a.co/d/fsBM61G

 

[JGmazda]

The Amazon filter (PG) for my car is clearly a Microgard. (Made in Vietnam). The same filter can be found on RA for even less. (Vietnam).

I'm still confused as to the STP line at Autozone. I don't think it's a Microgard clone as it's made in China. AFAIK, Microgard filters (And the clones) are all made in Vietnam and nowhere else.