Is the Fram Ultra Synthetic oil filter worth the extra money?

[Jerry Bransford]

Fram oil filters are consistently some of the worst oil filters produced. I'm shocked some people endorse them

You're just repeating old rumors that were long-ago disprovent. I used to say the same thing until I was finally shown I was doing the same thing, just repeating what I had heard.

This link goes to a thread I wrote years ago on "Eating Crow" on after I finally learned the truth about Fram's filters when I visited Fram's R&D center in Dayton Ohio. I was embarrassed to have learned how wrong I had been on Fram's oil filters based on nothing more than the bullshit that abounds on the internet.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...it-to-frams-r-d-facility-in-dayton-ohio.9042/
I even still have my old "POS" (piece of shit) image of a Fram filter saved in my photos file I used to post before I learned better... I decided to keep it as is to remind me that not everything we read and hear is true.

 

[C.J. Roberts]

Something I found at Youtube U.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Something I found at Youtube U.

There are thousands of guys who like to hear themselves talk and want to earn extra $$$ posting videos on YouTube. First, in that video, it's only showing the base level least-costly Fram filter. Second, the filter material is not made of cardboard like he claims and the end caps aren't either. No cardboard would be able to hold up to hot oil under pressure. The base level Extra Guard even had its anti-drainback valve upgraded from rubber to silicone years ago like all the better filters have which includes the ToughGuard.

But if the orange base-level Extra Guard Fram filter isn't good enough for you, Fram has more expensive higher quality filters like the Tough Guard that cost about the same as the others that are pushed hard and they are comparable. The Tough Guard, for example, with its 99% filtration ability vs. the Extra Guard's 95% filtration ability. And to be sure, 95% is a very common filtration rating on filters that are far more expensive. Not many have a 99% filtration ability like the ToughGuard does.

And keep in mind that some of the so-called "tests" are complete BS and are only made to further their agenda. One anti-Fram video I watched many years ago was horrific and it's probably when I started believing Fram's filters were crap. It turns out that video was a total fabrication and BS, it came off a vehicle whose oil and filter hadn't been changed in years and the Fram filter had gone into bypass mode. It was after learning that that I stopped trusting videos to be factual and, more importantly, totally truthful.

I switched away from my previous two go-to oil filters, the Purolator PureOne and AC-Delco Duraguard, to the Fram Tough Guard after seeing how they were made and how they tested against the others. I have run the Tough Guard in my wife's Lexus, my BMW, and my Jeep since visiting Fram's R&D facilities. Believe me when I say I wouldn't run Fram's oil filter in all three of my vehicles if I hadn't come around to seeing they're not the devil's work like I use to think they were. I feel the Tough Guard is as good as any of them for my requirements. It's hard to beat its 99% filtration together with its silicone anti-drainback valve and synthetic filter media.

 

[Goatman]

And that is to my point. This new one has "upgraded " filter media rated at 99+%. Same silicon anti-drainback valve. Fancy names don't matter to me. Hell, I'm named Mike. Can't get less fancy than that!
Years ago I was talking with a Purilator rep. who said he wouldn't run a Purilator oil filter in his own car. Every company has had quality issues at some point. Hell, we drive Jeeps. Even they may have had quality issues.
So I'm guessing no one here knows about these new filters. I'm guessing the difference between 99% filtration and 99+% is only relevant in lab conditions. I'll stick with the Tough Guard and save a couple bucks. Thanks guys.

 

[cliffish]

I have been using tough guard since Jerry's recommendation a couple years ago. I still use OEM for my wife's Benz and my sons Crosstrek as they are under warranty still and don't want to have that fight if anything blows up in the motor.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I have been using tough guard since Jerry's recommendation a couple years ago. I still use OEM for my wife's Benz and my sons Crosstrek as they are under warranty still and don't want to have that fight if anything blows up in the motor.

Understandable, though keep in mind that due to the Magnuson-Moss Federal Warranty Act dealers can't void a warranty simply because we're not using the OEM brand oil, filters, etc. so long as they are suitable and meet the basic requirements.

 

[cliffish]

Understandable, though keep in mind that due to the Magnuson-Moss Federal Warranty Act dealers can't void a warranty simply because we're not using the OEM brand oil, filters, etc. so long as they are suitable and meet the basic requirements.

I know but I don't need to have the argument of this filter has wrong psi ant drainback pressure or any other BS they can think of. I buy my filters properly so the costs are not so bad. If I took the benz for the "B" service at the dealership they want from $600-$800 for it. It is nothing more than changing the 2 cabin air filters, reg air filter, oil, brake fluid flush and rotate the tires. On the first one I was able to buy the motive pressure bleeder with attachments for any car plus all OEM fluids and filters and my cost was about $250. Now I have the bleeder to use on all my vehicles.

 

[Lou]

I know but I don't need to have the argument of this filter has wrong psi ant drainback pressure or any other BS they can think of. I buy my filters properly so the costs are not so bad. If I took the benz for the "B" service at the dealership they want from $600-$800 for it. It is nothing more than changing the 2 cabin air filters, reg air filter, oil, brake fluid flush and rotate the tires. On the first one I was able to buy the motive pressure bleeder with attachments for any car plus all OEM fluids and filters and my cost was about $250. Now I have the bleeder to use on all my vehicles.

That Motive Bleeder will come in handy if you ever have to bleed a hydraulic clutch!