To Fram Or Not To Fram

[445187]

I am a new owner of a Lexus LS400 with 84k miles. I recently had an Infinity G20 (which I loved). My question is about oil & air filters made by Fram. I have heard both sides, good/bad. Does anyone have any experience/recommendation either way?

Thanks, Jeff

[99lsguy]

445,

Welcome to LOC and congrats on the LS

What year and can you give details of aquistion and previous maintenance.

I use Amsoil synthetic and filters....but recently picked up (five) of the OEM Toyota/Denso filter #20004 from Toyota - made for the LS 1uz-fe engine.

A lot of guys use Mobil One syn. and their filter too.

99

[steviej]

I used to use Fram all the time (on my previous three cars). Never had a problem with them. There are two syndicated radio auto talk shows out of Boston, and both of them say the Fram filters are fine. The high end Fram filters (X2 I think it is called) are supposed to be very comparable to Mobil 1, K&N, etc.

There is alot of controversy about filters. OEM vs Amsoil vs Mobil vs etc.

You will get several links that compare and review oil and filters. For example:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com is many times sited for information.

It all comes down to what you want to pay, how often are you going to change your oil and what you are comfortable with. If you search on oil filters or oil changes, you will be overwhelmed with information. Give it a try then decide for yourself.

personally, I use synthetic oil and change it and the filter every 5000 miles.

I have used Toyo/Lexus, Mobil 1 and K&N Gold on my 02 ES. I like the K&N the best cause it has a nut molded into the casing so it is really easy now to remove the filter out from under the hot manifold.

steviej

[445187]

445,

Welcome to LOC and congrats on the LS

What year and can you give details of aquistion and previous maintenance.

I use Amsoil synthetic and filters....but recently picked up (five) of the OEM Toyota/Denso filter #20004 from Toyota - made for the LS 1uz-fe engine.

A lot of guys use Mobil One syn. and their filter too.

99

1995 84k miles, 11,995, apparently good maintenance, some records included.

[VGR]

Toyota/Lexus build the most reliable/durable cars in the world.

To achieve this superor level of reliability/durability, Toyota/Lexus

engineers have a philosophy of "over-engineering" parts and componets

that are key to long term vehicle reliability/durability; i.e. building them

to be tougher and to last longer than they need to be - at compared to

American car standards. This includes factory original filters, fluids and

lubricants.

Ford/Chevy/Dodge engineers, on the other hand, have a philosophy

of "planned obsolescense" or "under-engineering" parts and componets

that are key to long term vehicle reliability/durability. Unfortunately, the parts,

filters, fluids and lubricants available in American auto parts stores for your

Lexus are also designed and built by American engineers who have this

"planned obsolescense" or "under-engineering" philosophy.

Therefore, filling up your Lexus up with parts, filters, fluids and lubricants

purchased from auto parts stores will, in many cases, degrade its reliability

and durability.. Nevertheless, most Lexus owners refuse to use genuine

Toyota/Lexus parts, filters, fluids and lubricants. I believe there are three

main reasons they won’t use the genine, factory original stuff::

1. Psychologically, it's a big blow to the American ego to admit our products

are inferior. And it's doubly troubling to admit another race and culture

(Asians) are building these superior products.

2. Toyota/Lexus don't go around flaunting and boasting about the superior

reliability/durability of their products. Many Americans refuse to blindly believe

an Asian car or its parts, fluids, filters and lubes are superior unless someone

specifically points out the enginnering features that make them superior

reliability/durability wise. Since Toyota/Lexus doesn't spend much time

advertizing the engineering differences of its parts, fluids, filters and lubes

as compared to auto parts store equivalents, a large number of Americans

will wrongly assume the Toyota stuff is nothing special.

3. Americans are bombarded with marketing interests that try to steer

them away from using factory original parts, fluids, filters and lubes.

For example, the whole Bobistheoilguy forum is run by a bunch of specialty

lube, engine additive and filter salesmen who try to lure the public away from

using factory original products and get them using their specialty products::

Auto RX Engine Treatment

Fuel Power and Lube Control Fuel & Oil Additives

Motor Guard Additive

Oil Guard Bypass Filter System

K&N filters

Royal Purple Synthetic Oil

Amsoil Synthetic Oil

Red Line Synthetic Oil

Mobil 1 Synthetic Oil

Schaeffers Specialty Lubes and Additives

[steviej]

There is alot of controversy about filters. OEM vs Amsoil vs Mobil vs etc.

It all comes down to what you want to pay, how often are you going to change your oil and what you are comfortable with. If you search on oil filters or oil changes, you will be overwhelmed with information. Give it a try then decide for yourself.

I said it before, everyone's got their own opinion.

steviej

[Lexusfreak]

I agree with setviej, it depends on what your comfortable with. I use to use fram as well way back. I stick with Mobil 1 both oil (5w30) & their oil filter which has synthetic media for better & more efficent filtering. Lot's of back & forth comments on the issue however, so to each their own really. Look up some other write up's on the subject as there have been many tests on the different filters available on these threads. B)

[445187]

:o

I just ran across this & thought I would share it, it IS worth a look!

http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/oil_filter_study/

[steviej]

oil filters comparisons and the dialogue about synthetic vs conventional is just like Lite beer: Tastes great or Less filling.

Many places do there own independent oil filter comparison.

here's one that I caught for my motorcycle. I know this is a car site, but the manufacturers of the filters are pretty much the same.

http://www.twocreeks.net/toby/oil_filters/index.shtml

steviej

[Lexusfreak]

One of the best write up's I've seen about oil filters Steviej! :D B)

[445187]

I am really surprised that only 7 people on this site change their oil filters!

(the current poll results)

:chairshot:

[Lexusfreak]

Hey it's up to 9 now! lol :chairshot:

[VBdenny]

Steve,

Great article on oil filters. Opened my eyes. I guess I'll change my filter considerations in the future. Thanks for sharing that with us.

Ain't the Internet great.

Denny

[Bubbles]

The Toyota looks pretty good. I bought a case of 10, so it better be good.

I remember running through this link on the forums: http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html

It says to stay away from FRAM Extra Guard, but the FRAM Tough Guard is not bad.

[BRAKATK]

I have a K&N Gold Series. I have been very happy with K&N products over the years. I am sure a lot of Fram users are freaked out about now!

[Lexusfreak]

I'll never use fram again myself. B) I've heard good things about K & N as well. I have the K & N air filter in my ES but haven't tried the oil filter.....I use Mobil 1 filters at the moment.