Size does matter with auto parts more steel, rubber, and filter media add up to higher cost. $5-15: This is the sweet spot for aftermarket, OEM, and premium oil filters.Still, there are some decent aftermarket oil filters in the sub-five-dollar range. Under $5: Picking up 2-for-1 oil filters at the 99-cent store may seem like a terrible idea, and it usually is.Beck-Arnley today specializes in foreign marques with over 24,000 OE quality parts that cover 80 manufacturers and nearly 1,800 models. Beck Arnleyīeck-Arnley founder Irving Beck established the company in 1914, and the company supplied the US Army with sidecars and spare parts through two World Wars.
Check out the K&N Performance Store for oil and air filters, complete intake kits, and even home filtration solutions. K&N introduced the first wrench off oil filter in 1988, and the K&N Performance Gold filter earned our best performance pick. K&Nįounded by motorcycle racers, K&N has been synonymous with performance for over 50 years. Head over to the FRAM Store for everything from oil, air, and fuel filters to PCV valves, crankcase filters, and transmission modulators. FRAMįRAM designed and introduced its first easily replaceable cartridge-type oil filter in 1932 and manufactures an extensive range of automotive parts today. Check out the Purolator store for the complete lineup of oil, air, transmission, and cabin filters. Greenhalgh patented their first automotive oil filtration system in 1923, and Purolator was instrumental in developing the first spin-on. Purolator is (apparently) a contraction of “pure oil later.” Ernest Sweetland and George H. Find the right Bosch oil filter or any other part for your ride at the Bosch store. Some manufacturers use lightweight plastic filter housings that not only require a special tool for removal but are notoriously unforgiving and can sometimes break apart when overtightened.īosch Automotive is an OE supplier for automakers worldwide, and its extensive line of aftermarket automotive parts meets or exceeds original equipment quality and performance standards. Modern cartridge-type oil filter systems are not without fault, however. While slightly more labor-intensive, they’re cheaper to maintain than spin-ons. Its removable and reusable housing, combined with a replaceable filter element, results in far less waste. The cartridge-type oil filter is making a comeback. Combine that and the decline of large-displacement gas-guzzlers with today’s smaller, higher-revving engines, and their popularity is waning. Unfortunately, their ease of use has resulted in mountains of used, non-biodegradable oil filters clogging up landfills and shop yards. Self-contained spin-on filters gained popularity in the mid-50s, and have been the status quo in automotive engine oil filtration for the last half-century. Thanks to the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act, it’s against the law to deny warranty claims if you change your oil and filter. Avoid Warranty Woes: Neglecting recommended oil and filter service intervals, using the wrong oil and filter, or never changing your oil at all can result in a warranty claim denial.Sticking to the recommended oil and filter change schedule is the key to trouble-free motoring. Live Long and Motor: Today’s engines run cleaner and longer between oil changes, so using a quality oil filter is more important than ever.And of course, we found that a higher price doesn't always add up to higher quality. We did, however, find that different companies take different approaches to oil filtration. None of these companies would still be in business if they didn’t. Let’s be clear: We do not doubt that all of our test oil filters get the job done. It was pretty cool to see what was inside each filter, but we chose our best oil filters based on a combination of quality, features, and real-world experience with the brand.
So we didn’t base our selections here solely on what we discovered inside the canisters. We don’t have superpowers to see things at the 20-micron level, or the specialized equipment to measure oil flow efficiency. The thing is, while the diagnostic benefits are obvious there’s no way to tell if one filter works better than another just by looking at it with the naked eye. Flecks of metal usually means something inside the engine is chewing itself up. Collapsed pleats or milky goo can indicate moisture or a bad head gasket. Jet black gunk means the engine runs rich.
K and n oil filter pro#
Pro mechanics, racers, and pilots crack open oil filters all the time to get a better idea of what’s happening inside their engines. Cutting open the steel casing satisfies morbid curiosities, at the very least. This isn’t the first time folks on the internet have sliced and diced spin-on oil filters.