Why does everyone hate FRAM oil filters here?

[Onimacus]

I am fairly new to Saturnfans, and I am already a fan. Seems that there are a few good knowledgable people here...

My main question is that I've pretty much always used FRAMs in all my cars... But I was researching and reading random things, and I've come into more than a few posts that say stay away from FRAM filters... Could anyone shine some light on the reasoning why?

Thanks!


Travis

[JS593]

Fram filters are made of carbboard, no more, they deterriorate faster then any other filter out tehre, why do you think they are so cheap? My motomaster filter has a longere life expectancy then a FRAM.

[seawolf06]

Go to bobistheoilguy.com for a detailed explination.

[S3aturnR]

Originally Posted by Onimacus

I am fairly new to Saturnfans, and I am already a fan. Seems that there are a few good knowledgable people here...

My main question is that I've pretty much always used FRAMs in all my cars... But I was researching and reading random things, and I've come into more than a few posts that say stay away from FRAM filters... Could anyone shine some light on the reasoning why?

Thanks!


Travis

we hate them because they fail and usually do so quickly. i don't mean they fall off the car or anything. all filters have some sort of bypass, so that when the filter has had enough and would normally clog up, the bypass kicks in so nothing goes boom. when you change your oil and 3 days later, it's completely black after less than 300 miles of driving, your filter went straight to bypass, filtering nothing. that's my experience with fram. they suck so bad that they clog and bypass and you need another oil change within a week or two. but, since my car is rarely driven on the street and usually only sees about 400 miles (or less) between oil changes now, it almost doesn't matter if i buy a fram.


s3aturnr

[kanling]

It isn't just here. Go to any automotive forum and see how respected FRAM filters are. FRAM is surviving on good marketing and good distribution and the fact than 99% of consumers just assume that the big brand is best.

Basically, with FRAM filters, you are paying more and getting less.

Your engine won't blow up with a fram (some might argue the other way), but you are getting poorer filtering, lower capacity, much poorer construction quality than any other manufacturer that I am aware of at any price. (FRAM's top of the line filter is actually pretty good though... whatever it is called)

I agree, go to BobistheOilGuy.com and look and learn. (You have to watch out for FRAM-constructed filters marketed as other brands.)

[Low Saturn]

We cracked one open once and found a cigarette butt inside. Not dropped inside, but caught inside during manufacturing.

[amazinghl]

Farm has the smallest amount of filter media compare to all other brand.
Look at the Element Surface Area, Fram has 2/3 of what the next smallest surface area is. This is no opinion, it's fact. This was the 5.0 filter he was testing, I wouldn't be surprise if Farm smaller filter is just the same.

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html

[tackepj]

I'm glad that someone asked this question and that there are real facts to show as evidence. I always wondered why there was a negative opinion of Fram. I've used them for years and will switch, but I wonder how difficult it is to find a good selection of other brands. I usually just end up at Walmart since their oil is generally at a good price, but they usually only stock Fram...

[bigc791]

Frams arent as bad as everyone makes it. All the S cars that we service every day get a SATURN wait i mean fram filter. Some of the cars even have 400k on them. Thats alot of miles for a filter that supposibly doesnt do anything.
Carmen

[LJRacing91]

Originally Posted by tackepj

I usually just end up at Walmart since their oil is generally at a good price, but they usually only stock Fram...

They have their SuperTech filters. I've used those on every vehicle I've owned, and they've been great thus far, never had any seal problems or otherwise.

[kanling]

Yes, there are a lot of cars with a lot of miles on them that have run nothing but FRAM filters. FRAM filters meet the manufacturer's requirements and are adequate for the job.

But "adequate" is the best thing you can say about them. Why should I pay over $3 for an "adequate" FRAM at Wal Mart when I can buy the Supertech (which is better quality) for $2?

[SaturnTech]

Originally Posted by bigc791

Frams arent as bad as everyone makes it. All the S cars that we service every day get a SATURN wait i mean fram filter. Some of the cars even have 400k on them. Thats alot of miles for a filter that supposibly doesnt do anything.
Carmen

Saturn filters are not made exculsively by FRAM. The contract is renewed every quarter and whoever has the lowest bid makes the filters for the next 3 months. It's simple economics, and I have said this over and over before. I get my information right from factory training at the plant in Spring Hill.
That being said...I am still of the opinion that an oil filter is an oil filter, not a life changing event. Use whatever brand you like. I have used them all, it just depends what store I am in when I happen to be buying one. It gets changed every 3mo/3K miles anyway. I have better things to do with my time than analyze oil filter media. I don't go out of my way to avoid FRAM, nor do I go out of my way to buy one. If I am at Wal Mart I generally buy the SuperTech filters anyway since they are cheaper.

[ratherbcamping]

Originally Posted by SaturnTech

I am still of the opinion that an oil filter is an oil filter, not a life changing event.

Exactly! I've heard the same thing about Fram on the Jeep forums. If you change the oil every 3000 miles, the filter brand is not a major concern.

[96GSL1]

No sense paying more for less, though. SuperTech filters are a really good deal for the cash outlay.

[2xsl2]

Originally Posted by amazinghl

Farm has the smallest amount of filter media compare to all other brand.
[/url]

Is there another longer/larger oil filter that would fit the saturn? Seems like the largest one that would fit would be the best choice. If anyone does this, can you give brand/part #..

[kanling]

Larger filter (longer) is the 3600 size (using Fram nunbering scheme). Most manufacturers make one.

On saturn, I like the Wix 51516. (Actually right now I happen to be running the regular size, not the large size). It is the best I've found for keeping startup noise down. (Same as NAPA Gold 1516).

[sl_don]

i buy AC DELCO filters by the dozen cuz there good fillters and when you get them by the case you pay about 1/2 price per filter. and incase anyone is wondeing the AC number is PF 53C

[deathman]

one reason that fram oil filters are hated is because they have a tendency to come apart. working at saturn of s. blvd. in charlotte, i haven't heard anything from the other techs there, but when i was at uti, i learned how some oil filters were made and how they hold up to racing. oil filters have paper or fiber fillaments held in with various techniques. They can be anything from a tight perforated metal shield or metal rings or even glue. the problem people have is that the fram filter and other cheap filters are held together with glue and the fillament is just a bunch of folded over sheets of perforated paper and they tend to come apart.

[Titanium48]

Originally Posted by JS593

Fram filters are made of carbboard, no more, they deterriorate faster then any other filter out tehre, why do you think they are so cheap? My motomaster filter has a longere life expectancy then a FRAM.

Your motomaster filter is a fram (honeywell/allied signal) isn't it? The cheap oil filters at Canadian Walmarts are also fram/honeywell/allied signal product painted white instead of orange.

[Silver02ex]

Originally Posted by JS593

Fram filters are made of carbboard, no more, they deterriorate faster then any other filter out tehre, why do you think they are so cheap? My motomaster filter has a longere life expectancy then a FRAM.

Your motomaster filter IS a Fram filter. Just like the Pennzoil, Some of Honda OEM, Milgard, and Deffense filters.