When I was younger, from the time I bought my first car until I heard about the dreaded "cardboard" end caps, I used Fram oil filters religiously. I never had a known problem, but I guess I bought into the fear about those end caps. Fast forward to just a couple years ago, I was researching on Bitog and on manufacturer's web sites, as well as other automotive forums, and I decided to go back to Fram in the form of the Ultra oil filters. I liked that they had a mesh backing to the pleats and were recommended for longer change intervals.
Anyway, I've looked and looked, and have not seen any filter that competes with the Ultra, in terms of filtering performance. In fact, I noticed that even the Tough Guard and regular Fram Extra Guard outperform the published data on other filters, even the expensive Mobil 1 filter.
So, the question: Is there any other filter that can compete with the Fram's performance? I've not seen any that publish better than 99% at 30 microns or bigger, in the single pass standardized test. Of course, the Fram TG and UG get 99% at down to 20 microns.
According to Fram, the UG media flows better, too, so it appears to be a rare case of getting the best of all worlds...highest filtration, high flow, and high total dirt capacity.
I'd love to know if any competing filters are as effective as an Ultra Guard. Please don't say bypass filters, or something like that. I am just curious if any traditional can or cartridge filters can do as well, at least with their own published or claimed results.
I've been running UG's on all of my vehicles except the Mercedes for the past couple years. I haven't cut one open, but in the next year, I'll probably get to a long (10k plus) OCI on my JL Wrangler, where we'll get a good look at the cartridge filter.
Anyway, I've looked and looked, and have not seen any filter that competes with the Ultra, in terms of filtering performance. In fact, I noticed that even the Tough Guard and regular Fram Extra Guard outperform the published data on other filters, even the expensive Mobil 1 filter.
So, the question: Is there any other filter that can compete with the Fram's performance? I've not seen any that publish better than 99% at 30 microns or bigger, in the single pass standardized test. Of course, the Fram TG and UG get 99% at down to 20 microns.
According to Fram, the UG media flows better, too, so it appears to be a rare case of getting the best of all worlds...highest filtration, high flow, and high total dirt capacity.
I'd love to know if any competing filters are as effective as an Ultra Guard. Please don't say bypass filters, or something like that. I am just curious if any traditional can or cartridge filters can do as well, at least with their own published or claimed results.
I've been running UG's on all of my vehicles except the Mercedes for the past couple years. I haven't cut one open, but in the next year, I'll probably get to a long (10k plus) OCI on my JL Wrangler, where we'll get a good look at the cartridge filter.