FRAM Ultra Synthetic Oil Filter

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Old 10-06-2014, 10:27 AM
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Thumbs up FRAM Ultra Synthetic Oil Filter

So I started using the new FRAM Ultra Synthetic Oil Filter early 2014. All I have to say is "WOW!". I never seen any oil filter do as good as this. This is the 2nd time with this new filter.

These are photos of the oil after 7000 Kilometers. Usually the oil is black and smells really bad. The oil as you can see here is still clean, and smells new. It looks like a light red colour. No hint of black. Sorry about the blurry photos.

I was about to change the oil but I'll wait till the end of the month. FRAM got it right!




Last edited by Black Tire; 10-06-2014 at 10:31 AM.
Old 10-06-2014, 10:35 AM
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What other filters have you used? Just asking because you said "I never seen any oil filter do as good as this."
Old 10-06-2014, 11:06 AM
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why does your oil get dirty so fast? you need to address that question which probably involves a dirty PCV and clogged egr system inside intake manifold which are forcing exhaust type gasses back into crankcase at increased levels = dirty oil in 3000 MILES!

Other filters and regular oil stay fairly clean and a nice amber color
What are you running that is red? trans fluid! or actual red oil ?? something fully synthetic I am guessing= that filter being made to work with that type oil

next oil change: add 1/2 can seafoam to oil and drive 30 minutes or more
Best to install new cheap filter and drive 100-200 Miles to get fullest effect and capture the crud, then change oil and filter with oil warm from 15 minute drive

Last edited by 01tl4tl; 10-06-2014 at 11:09 AM.
Old 10-06-2014, 11:21 AM
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I have used BOSCH, K&N GOLD, and the standard Honda filters. K&N was the best filter I have used. But it didn't perform as well as this new FRAM filter.

I am using Castrol Syntec (EDGE in some countries) 5W-30. I stuck with the Castrol becasue it has given me great fuel economy.

I am going to get a new car in 2015 or when this TL dies. So I am not going to do those tasks 01tl4tl mentioned.


Originally Posted by Jakes_tl
What other filters have you used? Just asking because you said "I never seen any oil filter do as good as this."
Old 10-06-2014, 12:01 PM
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That is surprising to me because i know Fram always made cheaper quality filters compared to other brands (i always avoided using Fram) but i will have to look into this filter a little more closely.
Old 10-06-2014, 02:37 PM
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I say stay away from the cheapest FRAM filter. This one looks good.

There's a video on Youtube showing that the new Honda/Acura filters will be made by FRAM. It'll be made like the standard FRAM filter and it won't be like the FRAM Ultra Synthetic.

What I am going to do is post up photos of my oil every 1000 kilometers. I am almost at 8000k on the same oil.

Originally Posted by Jakes_tl
That is surprising to me because i know Fram always made cheaper quality filters compared to other brands (i always avoided using Fram) but i will have to look into this filter a little more closely.

Last edited by Black Tire; 10-06-2014 at 02:47 PM.
Old 10-06-2014, 05:04 PM
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That looks good! I shall try it with the full 15K and send a Blackstone analysis to see what's what.

What is the MSRP for it?
Old 10-06-2014, 05:13 PM
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what oil are you using? Why is it red?
Old 10-06-2014, 05:25 PM
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Perhaps his camera trolled him with the White Balance?
Old 10-06-2014, 06:00 PM
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Castrol Syntec (EDGE) 5W-30. I don't know why its that colour.

Originally Posted by thisaznboi88
what oil are you using? Why is it red?
It is $13.99 Canadian for it. But I got it on sale for $9.99 Cdn.

Originally Posted by Skirmich
That looks good! I shall try it with the full 15K and send a Blackstone analysis to see what's what.

What is the MSRP for it?
Old 10-07-2014, 11:36 AM
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what color is the oil when it goes in?

skirm: do as fsttyms1 says and get the oil analysis done at 7500 with the extra $10 test for remaining life expectancy, which is often based on the additives wearing out- more than the oils death

blacktire- kept up, the TL will easily go 300,000 USA MILES/ 500,000KM
DO change your PCV on top of valve rear valve cover, its 10 bucks and if you are blowing oil in the engine that part will get clogged= not able to release internal engine pressures= cause the demise of said engine by blowing out the rear main OIL seal!!

for others- using seafoam in fuel and oil as well as the new pcv are solid investments in mpg
Old 10-07-2014, 12:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Black Tire
I say stay away from the cheapest FRAM filter. This one looks good.

There's a video on Youtube showing that the new Honda/Acura filters will be made by FRAM. It'll be made like the standard FRAM filter and it won't be like the FRAM Ultra Synthetic.

What I am going to do is post up photos of my oil every 1000 kilometers. I am almost at 8000k on the same oil.
600k miles of driving and very long intervals and i have never had an issue with the standard fram.
Old 10-07-2014, 02:42 PM
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I stayed away from FRAM because all those Youtube videos showing the filter failing. My thought are that these "failed" filters have been damaged by the user and then put on video to show how bad they are.

As well many people engines who have failed are blaming FRAM oil filters. How do we know they didn't do anything stupid to the vehicle?


Originally Posted by fsttyms1
600k miles of driving and very long intervals and i have never had an issue with the standard fram.
Old 10-07-2014, 02:50 PM
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Fram here with no issues, i change filters every 2nd oil changes.
Old 10-07-2014, 07:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Black Tire
I stayed away from FRAM because all those Youtube videos showing the filter failing. My thought are that these "failed" filters have been damaged by the user and then put on video to show how bad they are.

As well many people engines who have failed are blaming FRAM oil filters. How do we know they didn't do anything stupid to the vehicle?
If they were as bad as some on the net like to say they are they wouldnt still be selling them or in business. I have over 1.3 million miles of driving on my vehicles and the vast majority of those miles have been with the Fram brand and i have never had an engine failure or issue.
Old 10-07-2014, 11:59 PM
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Originally Posted by fsttyms1
600k miles of driving and very long intervals and i have never had an issue with the standard fram.
... 100% agreed ... i use the mid grade fram & it takes care of my RP just fine
Old 10-08-2014, 07:28 AM
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I read somewhere that Fram has spent a lot of $$ the last few years trying to change the perceptions out there. Some of their newer higher priced filters are rated pretty high I believe.
I imagine that some of the issues (whether truly the fault of the filter or otherwise) was a byproduct of them probably selling the most filters in the industry through the years. The more product you have out there the higher the chance of having some issues along the way I suppose. I used to use the standard Fram filters in the 80s and never had a problem. Now I usually use the Puralotor pure One or Denso filters
Old 10-08-2014, 09:14 PM
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Probably confusing them with the Frantz toilet paper cartridge oil filters of old.
Old 10-11-2014, 08:19 AM
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I've been using Mobil 1 Synthetic with the FRAM XG3593A for years now; 7K between changes. I also had used the K&N HP-1004 and the Mobil 1 filters for a long time.
Have 277K on the car and no sludge when looking in the valve cover.

Fram is the cheapest of the bunch at Walmart for ~$8 and is a good buy.

Always check the box; I find a lot of unsavory people swap the cheaper Fram filter into the box to save $3 - very annoying going though a shelf of five boxes and they are all the wrong one inside!
Old 10-11-2014, 03:21 PM
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Try WIX #51334 for an excellent performing oil filter.
Old 10-25-2014, 01:15 PM
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Here is an update at 9000 kilometers. I took better photos as well took side by side photos with fresh oil.

9000 kilometers


Fresh oil


Side by side

Old 10-25-2014, 01:21 PM
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wow that oil is clean, maybe too clean
Old 10-25-2014, 06:55 PM
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Ah, never too clean.....even though it's hard to believe !!!
Old 10-25-2014, 08:19 PM
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am I high?
how'd you do a side by side?
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Old 10-25-2014, 08:58 PM
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Yeah man......side by side with one higher than the other. Ha, hah....magic color change too !!! Far out.
Old 10-25-2014, 09:33 PM
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Originally Posted by justnspace


am I high?
how'd you do a side by side?
You never keep an dipstick in your fresh oil???
Old 10-25-2014, 09:40 PM
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Old 10-25-2014, 10:50 PM
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Speak softly and carry a big stick !!!
Old 10-26-2014, 01:13 AM
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LOL...I had a extra dipstick I ordered a while back. Just dipped the other in a fresh bottle of oil and held them both up to the camera.

BTW...I do 70% city traffic. The other 30% is highway driving.

Originally Posted by justnspace


am I high?
how'd you do a side by side?

I still cannot believe it myself. I hope some other people start using it and post up results too.

Originally Posted by 3.2TLc
Ah, never too clean.....even though it's hard to believe !!!
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Old 10-27-2014, 08:08 AM
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got it. extra dipstick.


i thought i was going crazy.
Old 10-28-2014, 06:36 AM
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^^^ Just crabs entering into your mind !!!
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Old 10-28-2014, 06:44 AM
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Wow i do have to say that is impressive!
Old 10-28-2014, 04:02 PM
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the real info will be in the filter when cut open after replacement
unrolling and seeing whats captured- how much blockage appears to be happening
is the real info..that and mass spectrograph the oil to see amount of crud in it

what brand oil are you using that's red?
or it was clear like the new oil in bottle to start, and turned red?
Old 10-28-2014, 05:26 PM
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Talking Fram's new filter or crabs ?

Originally Posted by Jakes_tl
That is surprising to me because i know Fram always made cheaper quality filters compared to other brands (i always avoided using Fram) but i will have to look into this filter a little more closely.

Fram's trying to regain consumer confidence by offering "premium" products.
Old 10-30-2014, 05:23 AM
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Using Castrol EDGE 5W-30. I have been using Castrol EDGE for awhile with other filters and the oil would be black as night by 6000 kilometers.

I assume FRAM added special filter paper that is causing the oil to go red?



Originally Posted by 01tl4tl
the real info will be in the filter when cut open after replacement
unrolling and seeing whats captured- how much blockage appears to be happening
is the real info..that and mass spectrograph the oil to see amount of crud in it

what brand oil are you using that's red?
or it was clear like the new oil in bottle to start, and turned red?
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