Originally Posted by FordBroncoVWJeta
Originally Posted by CT8
Originally Posted by FordBroncoVWJeta
Fram is going to have to redo their packaging, they are rated for only 12K miles on the box. By that logic the supertech must be better!
What makes Fram so good?
I think you are misinterpreting what I was referring too. The Supertechs in the photo are rated for 30,000 miles, while the Frams are only 12,000 miles. Most people would look at both filters packaging and think that the Supertech is obviously a better filter based off of mileage claims.
I doubt they're "rated" for 12,000 miles. If they meet the manufacturer spec they should be able to be used for the manufacturer specified interval.
I just picked up a Fram CA8911 for my wife's 2002 Honda Civic LX. Less than $13 at WM. Asked how much at a Honda dealer and they wanted $29 for an OEM filter. I looked up the recommended maintenance interval and it said every 30,000 miles regardless of time. Didn't say anything about conditions, although maybe there was fine print somewhere about dusty conditions. The filter did look nice and gray. It was a Pep Boys house brand that I got maybe 5+ years ago. I wasn't thinking about it and then all of a sudden I realized I should have a look at it. It wrote down the time and mileage on the filter when I installed it. So it's been a bit over the recommended mileage although I doubt it's at the point where anything bad happened. The side on the throttle body was absolutely spotless while the intake side was somewhat dusty. I also found a few leaves and a candy wrapper. I guess that must have added restriction.
But what does it mean by 12,000 miles which is on every single box of air filters? I thought that most filters actually filter better when they're somewhat loaded. But then that increases air restriction. I doubt that they did some sort of test on a fleet of vehicles, especially when a ton of their filters are bought from some supplier in Asia or Eastern Europe where Fram had nothing to do with the design or manufacturing. To me that's like Pennzoil or Jiffy Lube marketing 3000 mile oil changes. They're just trying to sell more on the basis that "we're good, but change it often because we think it's better".
I was tempted to get a new Fram air filter for my WRX, but I'm not sure. The OEM ones from Subaru all have this rigid frame and a hard surround covered with paper. The Fram is their traditional white dry media with a radioactive orange soft foam surround. The OEM filters are oiled. I was tempted because it was less than $7 at WM. For
As for their rationale, I looked it up and I don't think it's necessarily to protect the engine. They're claiming it's to improve performance.
Quote
https://www.fram.com/products/consumer-products/air-filters/
Every 12,000 miles we change the engine air filters in our vehicles. This simple task helps increase airflow, horsepower and overall engine performance, even in tough driving conditions. And FRAM engine air filters are the best in the business.