The first pic is the Mopar OEM filter that was installed from the factory. It had 2k miles on it with the factory fill oil, which I'd guess is Pennzoil Gold 0w20. The Mopar filter pleats look twisted even when new. This one looked just like three new ones I inspected at Wal Mart. I'm guessing it was made by Purolator. Anyway, it looked good and didn't have any real visisble gunk in it from break-in. The pleats do seem a little fuzzy, but didn't appear to be fraying or compromised in any way. There were no tears, either.
Here is the Fram Ultra XG11665, which replaced the Mopar M349. The Fram's consistently have almost perfectly straight pleats when new. The first pic is new, and the 2nd is with about 3,300 miles on it. This one had Mobil 1 EP 0w20 flowing through it. The pleats themselves look excellent, as expected, with no fraying or fuzziness. My surprise was that there was some twist in the Fram when it came out. I'm surprised because I thought the metal mesh supports within the pleats would make it very strong. I guess this engine loves to wring out its filters!
My thoughts are that the twisting is normal and no big deal. I may try a Mobil 1 filter, to see how it holds up, but I've got great confidence in the Fram. My next oil change will certainly see more miles. I'd guess it will have 4k to 4500k for the next OCI. I'd run it much longer, but I'm taking it off-roading in Colorado and Moab in October, so it will get changed before that trip, regardless of mileage. The current fill is Mobil 1 AP 0w20.
Here is the Fram Ultra XG11665, which replaced the Mopar M349. The Fram's consistently have almost perfectly straight pleats when new. The first pic is new, and the 2nd is with about 3,300 miles on it. This one had Mobil 1 EP 0w20 flowing through it. The pleats themselves look excellent, as expected, with no fraying or fuzziness. My surprise was that there was some twist in the Fram when it came out. I'm surprised because I thought the metal mesh supports within the pleats would make it very strong. I guess this engine loves to wring out its filters!
My thoughts are that the twisting is normal and no big deal. I may try a Mobil 1 filter, to see how it holds up, but I've got great confidence in the Fram. My next oil change will certainly see more miles. I'd guess it will have 4k to 4500k for the next OCI. I'd run it much longer, but I'm taking it off-roading in Colorado and Moab in October, so it will get changed before that trip, regardless of mileage. The current fill is Mobil 1 AP 0w20.