Originally Posted By: Olas
Originally Posted By: UG_Passat
Originally Posted By: Olas
Air filtration is equally important in normally aspirated engines as it is in forced induction engines.
You can use a wix/fram/napa if you want to, but if they were able to protect your engine the manufacturer would have used them.
Audi use Mann/mahle/hengst in the new cars they sell with a warranty - tells you something about the standard and quality of the parts they use.
Why do you redline fluids then? If they were able to protect your engine, the manufacturer would have used them.
Audi uses Castrol in the new cars they well with a warranty - tells you something about the standard and quality of the parts they use.
Redline oils didn't exist when the car was made. I could use a period correct group1&2 15w40 or I could use something that meets the necessary 502 while having huge doses of FM and EP and AW adds, all of which are crucially important.
Audi use Castrol the same as any other company subcontracts work - whoever can fulfil the contract at the lowest price gets the business. If it meets 504/507 it's acceptable.
Which is the same thing as which filters VAG stocks at the parts counter and assembly plant. The choice between Mann, Mahle, Hengst, Purflux, Denso,... it's who can meet their specs and best pricepoint for them at the time they award the contract.
In the US, we also have the magnuson-moss act, which protects consumers from the auto manufacturers voiding warranties because consumers did not use the manufacturer's branded parts, they have to prove that aftermarket part caused the failure.
Yes, FRAM cartridge filters used to be great, their CH9911 was a German made filter that undercut the price of a Mann filter. Then they switched to a Chinese made filter (which Mann does have plants in china), which its construction mimicked a Hengst filter, which I didn't like the crushed look of the filter when I removed it from the car, which was why I went back to ordering Mann.
my current car, I'd get a Fram Ultra spin-on, but for 2x the cost (around $30 at Walmart) of a Mann (off of Amazon)? No thanks.