Oil Filter - FRAM

NO NO NO NO... do not use FRAM, please!!

If you do a search on "Oil change" you'll find TONS of information on oil changes... which filters are best, how often to change the oil plug gasket, and what oils people are using. There is even a photo tutorial around here, somewhere.

Trust me about the filter, though... just say No to fram...

 

Why do you say Fram's are no good? What about their air filter, I see they are now making one that fits the Prius?

 

Check out this page http://people.msoe.edu/~yoderw/oilfilterstudy/oilfilterstudy.html

This guy took a couple dozen oil filters apart, and rated them for construction and quality. Fram flunked.

 

amazing. You'll "settle" for a $4 filter for a car that:
a) only needs oil changes every 5K miles
b) has the HSD system
c) could easily last for 500K miles

Seriously, I think paying $5 - $10 for a filter is a small, very cheap price for the peace of mind I have knowing that my engine is as protected as possible.
Of course, I also use Mobil1.

 

The standard Fram oil filters have garnered a reputation for poor quality construction. A few decades ago they were a quality brand, but compared to other brands, they are inferior in construction. There are a few sites on the internet where people have disected different filters and shown the differences.

I don't think this necessarily applies to their air filters; its much more difficult to hide poor quality since the element is easy to inspect.

I don't see any reason to buy Fram filters when you can buy Toyota OEM filters for $39.90 / 10 filters with free shipping from Toyota of Dallas.

http://www.mrtoyotaparts.com/PD-90915-YZZF2-CASE10.aspx?MakeID=1

 

Ditto ...on all of the above about Fram.

10-15 Years ago while shopping for oil filters, the "Parts Girl" at a NAPA store had a display with the filters cut apart.

NAPA Gold had about three times more filtering material than Fram.

I've been using NAPA since then and WIX when not avail. No problems !!!!

I'll buy the Toyota Filter and Gasket.......Just say NO to FRAM !!!

 

I also won't use Fram, I use genuine.
Small price to pay for a long peaceful life.

 

me too here, oil changes done at the Toyota dealer, Toyota filter and synthetic oil.

 

I think that we're all getting hyper about our Prii. I used the Toyota filters for the first 80,000 miles on my 2004 and then got very upset when they changed the filter diameter and I had to buy a new filter wrench.

The Fram PH4967 filter is adequate and I have now used several of them (my 105k change is due soon). Paying more than $6 for an oil filter that you are not stressing (only 5k miles and not 100% ICE running) seems excessive. When I hear of actual filter failures I will rethink my opinion.

Yes, you should change the fiber oil drain washer each time, although you are likely to get by reusing one in a pinch (I have heard mixed reports on using an aluminum washer). My Subaru uses a metal crush ring that cannot be reused.

JeffD

 

Oil Filter: Mobil 1

Thanks to Priuschat, I purchase Mobil 1 oil filters over the web, http://www.partsamerica.com/productdetail.aspx?MfrCode=MBI&MfrPartNumber=M1209

A "double" filter. I purchase them in bulk @ $9.99 each. I have even done a print out and taken the print out to a local auto parts store and obtained the web price. It is a longer filter and is easier to screw on and off.

 

90915-YZZF2 is the correct number for 07. I would expect 08 is the same.

 

I'm an OEM guy myself; the toyota filters (air and oil) seem to be top notch.

If you want an eye-opener, grab a brand new fram and a white paper towell. Put your finger in the towell and wipe it around the metal threads of the filter and look how much metal powder comes out. It's like they didn't bother washing that piece of metal after cutting the threads. Also in my personal experience the anti-flow-back valve in the fram is not as good as the toyota. My Tacoma in the morning would run for 1-2 seconds with the oil light on when using a fram, when using a OEM filter the oil light is out almost before the motor starts, meaning the filter allowed less oil to drain back out of the top of the motor overnight.

 

I have changed my own oil for decades. FRAM makes the lowest-quality filters I have seen. I even had one fail (blew apart) after 2K miles about a decade ago and cost me an engine. Either get the factory filter (it's worth every penny) or buy a quality aftermarket one like WIX or NAPA. Absolutely no way is saving a few bucks on an oil filter worth risking major engine damage.

 

If you don't trust what others are saying, buy a few filters and cut them apart. I did that a couple of years ago. Fram was the worst by far. The Walmart supertech was a MUCH better filter. Find a brown paper grocery bag and that is what the filter media looked like The media base was cardboard too.