Oil Filter Study
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From: south central pa
Oil Filter Study
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Walnut Creek, CA
Filtration isn't really my thing...I don't pay much attention to filters. However, after reading about filters recently...I've suddenly become more interested and may decide to learn more about this "stuff." 
As for filters, the lower-cost Supertech models (currently non-Ecore design for Honda apps), are generally OK filters for the $2 or so that they cost. They are very average filters that'll do the job OKAY for 5000 miles or less. I personally use the Supertech and other lower-end filters such as the Purolator Premium Plus since I change my oil quite frequently and don't particularly care about having the "better" filters in my car as I don't think it'll seriously affect overall engine longevity with my short drain interval in the event that the filter doesn't a "good" job.
Honestly, most of us on this forum can afford the better filters. Buy them. For about $3-$4 more than the lower-line, Supertech or Purolator Premium Plus filters, you can get much better filters construction wise, with better media and better quality parts. May not make your engine last longer, but is worth the extra cost if you really care about your engine and want to ensure that you are getting good filtration at all times, as some of the lower-line filters may disintegrate (trust me, happens with the Supertechs periodically, but rare on the >$6 filters) when run beyond the intended 3-5000 mile service life.
I personally like the Purolator PureOne filters and find them to be the best value. They are usually between $5-$6 at Advanced Auto or Pep Boys. They are one of the best filters in the industry in terms of filtration (if not the best), and feature solid construction, a silicon anti-drain back valve, and are a very good bang for the buck. Sadly, many of the European cars feature cartridge filters, and the Purolator rarely has cartridge filters in their PureOne line-up...so for European cars with a cartridge filter, I usually recommend a Napa Gold (Wix) for those.
On many forums, the PureOne's strongest competitor would be the Napa Gold or Wix. Note: Wix itself only sells one "grade" of filters under its own name, though Wix does make a lower-line filter for Napa (sold under the Pro-select or Racing line), but does not sell these lower-line filters under the Wix brand. Napa Gold is equivalent to the standard Wix line-up.
Even though the Napa Gold versus PureOne business is really a preferance in some people's opinion, I tend to view it a bit differently, and I'll explain why I choose the PureOne over the Wix/Napa Gold later.
As for differences, the PureOne clearly has better filtration capabilities than the Wix/Napa Gold. However, with higher efficiency, PureOne filters WILL clog up faster than filters with lower-efficiencies, as they are filtering more "crap." Thus, depending on the length of your intended drain, if you're using the PureOne, it may be wise to change the filter mid-way (around 7500 to 10000 miles).
One of the disadvantages of the PureOne filter is its "dome" ended bypass. With the PureOne's bypass design, the oil must wash thru the dirty media prior to exiting thru the outlet, so in that sense, the oil exiting the PureOne will be much dirtier. On the Napa Gold/Wix, the oil enters thru the inlet, and goes directly to the outlet.
Again, I personally do not care for the dome-ended or threaded-end bypass business. Of course, we're nitpicking here in regards to dirty oil, etc...But here's my uneducated opinion: On paper, the PureOne provides better filtration than the Napa Gold/Wix probably due to the smaller pore sizes in the media, so even if the oil that exits will be dirtier...shouldn't the media be capable of filtering it better than the Napa Gold, which has a lower efficiency? Just my
.
Thus, my conclusion is this: The PureOne on paper, has the better filtration, even though it may reach the end of its lifespan faster. (Note: filters DO become more efficient toward the end of their lifespan as they load up) Although some people dislike the PureOne's restrictive design, I personally think its a non-issue as its been tested by many individuals as well as Purolator and is found to be sufficient in most climates...though I guess if you lived in the middle of Alaska with -40F temps, I guess it may be beneficial to have a better flowing filter. I'd take better filtration anyday, over the better flow and even the threaded-end bypass setup.
Also, you'll always make a sacrafice for one or the other to a certain extent...filtration or flow...so its really a matter of finding one with a good balance. PureOne fits this quite well in my opinion, though some people like the Mobil 1 filters better, but filtration has shown to be about the same with the last-generation M1 and PureOne filters...but the new Extended Perf. line-up that is coming to the M1 filters may change things. But if you're comparing the last-generation M1 to the current PureOne filter, I really don't think the M1 is worth the 2x cost of the PureOne filter when filtration is about the same; even though the M1 may flow a bit better, the PureOne's flow is sufficient IMO.
As for filters, the lower-cost Supertech models (currently non-Ecore design for Honda apps), are generally OK filters for the $2 or so that they cost. They are very average filters that'll do the job OKAY for 5000 miles or less. I personally use the Supertech and other lower-end filters such as the Purolator Premium Plus since I change my oil quite frequently and don't particularly care about having the "better" filters in my car as I don't think it'll seriously affect overall engine longevity with my short drain interval in the event that the filter doesn't a "good" job.
Honestly, most of us on this forum can afford the better filters. Buy them. For about $3-$4 more than the lower-line, Supertech or Purolator Premium Plus filters, you can get much better filters construction wise, with better media and better quality parts. May not make your engine last longer, but is worth the extra cost if you really care about your engine and want to ensure that you are getting good filtration at all times, as some of the lower-line filters may disintegrate (trust me, happens with the Supertechs periodically, but rare on the >$6 filters) when run beyond the intended 3-5000 mile service life.
I personally like the Purolator PureOne filters and find them to be the best value. They are usually between $5-$6 at Advanced Auto or Pep Boys. They are one of the best filters in the industry in terms of filtration (if not the best), and feature solid construction, a silicon anti-drain back valve, and are a very good bang for the buck. Sadly, many of the European cars feature cartridge filters, and the Purolator rarely has cartridge filters in their PureOne line-up...so for European cars with a cartridge filter, I usually recommend a Napa Gold (Wix) for those.
On many forums, the PureOne's strongest competitor would be the Napa Gold or Wix. Note: Wix itself only sells one "grade" of filters under its own name, though Wix does make a lower-line filter for Napa (sold under the Pro-select or Racing line), but does not sell these lower-line filters under the Wix brand. Napa Gold is equivalent to the standard Wix line-up.
Even though the Napa Gold versus PureOne business is really a preferance in some people's opinion, I tend to view it a bit differently, and I'll explain why I choose the PureOne over the Wix/Napa Gold later.
As for differences, the PureOne clearly has better filtration capabilities than the Wix/Napa Gold. However, with higher efficiency, PureOne filters WILL clog up faster than filters with lower-efficiencies, as they are filtering more "crap." Thus, depending on the length of your intended drain, if you're using the PureOne, it may be wise to change the filter mid-way (around 7500 to 10000 miles).
One of the disadvantages of the PureOne filter is its "dome" ended bypass. With the PureOne's bypass design, the oil must wash thru the dirty media prior to exiting thru the outlet, so in that sense, the oil exiting the PureOne will be much dirtier. On the Napa Gold/Wix, the oil enters thru the inlet, and goes directly to the outlet.
Again, I personally do not care for the dome-ended or threaded-end bypass business. Of course, we're nitpicking here in regards to dirty oil, etc...But here's my uneducated opinion: On paper, the PureOne provides better filtration than the Napa Gold/Wix probably due to the smaller pore sizes in the media, so even if the oil that exits will be dirtier...shouldn't the media be capable of filtering it better than the Napa Gold, which has a lower efficiency? Just my
. Thus, my conclusion is this: The PureOne on paper, has the better filtration, even though it may reach the end of its lifespan faster. (Note: filters DO become more efficient toward the end of their lifespan as they load up) Although some people dislike the PureOne's restrictive design, I personally think its a non-issue as its been tested by many individuals as well as Purolator and is found to be sufficient in most climates...though I guess if you lived in the middle of Alaska with -40F temps, I guess it may be beneficial to have a better flowing filter. I'd take better filtration anyday, over the better flow and even the threaded-end bypass setup.
Also, you'll always make a sacrafice for one or the other to a certain extent...filtration or flow...so its really a matter of finding one with a good balance. PureOne fits this quite well in my opinion, though some people like the Mobil 1 filters better, but filtration has shown to be about the same with the last-generation M1 and PureOne filters...but the new Extended Perf. line-up that is coming to the M1 filters may change things. But if you're comparing the last-generation M1 to the current PureOne filter, I really don't think the M1 is worth the 2x cost of the PureOne filter when filtration is about the same; even though the M1 may flow a bit better, the PureOne's flow is sufficient IMO.
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