CarbonSteel
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Late last year, the lease ended on our 2021 Grand Cherokee L with a 3.6L and so we grabbed a 2024 Grand Cherokee 4xe with the 2.0T in it. I have been working on this for a while, but life and school got in the way.
I picked up 14 different oil filters and created a table for comparison purposes. No testing has been performed on any of the filters either by using them or via test equipment, so this is not a scientific study by any means. The total pre-tax cost for 14 filters was just under $160 making the average cost about $11.40 per filter.
Filter Table With Statistics
All measurements are millimeters, and all statistical information was obtained from the vendor website when and where possible. Hopefully, this will give some insight into the construction of the filters as well as efficiency ratings.
I used a Longacre Filter Cutter, a Neiko digital caliper, and a Mitotoyo micrometer.
The list of filters are (Purolator filters were added later so they are not in the group photo above):
AC Delco:
A decently constructed filter with good pleat spacing and includes a metal cap on the media. Canister wall thickness is above average, and the design includes a nitrile ADBV, and cellulose media supported by a plastic “e-core” center.
Efficiency is towards the bottom of the list with a 98% at 30 microns rating. Canister wall thickness lands on the upper end while the price lands at 10 out of 14. While not a bad filter, it would not be my first choice when the quality and design are considered.
FRAM Endurance:
This filter replaced the “original” FRAM Ultra Guard which had wire backed synthetic media. The current Ultra does not have wire backing. Endurance has the highest mileage rating of the group as well as one of the highest efficiency ratings. I have attempted to rip the media from other Endurance filters, and it is nearly impossible. The canister wall thickness is close to the top of the list, and it has the thickest base plate of all filters examined.
A silicone ADBV ensures that it will remain flexible on longer oil change intervals. Excessive glue is the one negative highlight for this filter. The price lands at 9 out of 14, but that may not be a detriment given the efficiency which is at the top of the list and overall quality of construction which includes wire backed full synthetic media. This filter would be my first choice.
FRAM Tough Guard:
This filter has been the medium class filter for FRAM for many years. It is a slight upgrade from the economy filter (Extra Guard) whereas it has higher efficiency and longer mileage rating. With that said, the pleat spacing on the filter is a turn-off as I have seen a number of these filters develop incredibly wavy media during use. Though the media did not tear, the design could be improved.
The media end caps are a fiber composite and while that seems less than durable, it too, typically stands up under use and the glue used is quite robust, though it could have been applied to connect the metal support tube over the full circumference. Although it ranks the third lowest in the list for cost, I would pass on this filter for one with a higher quality construction.
K&N:
K&N typically falls into either a love or hate scenario. I am not a fan of K&N air filters, particularly on turbocharged engines because the increase in airflow comes at a cost of decreased filtering and the chance that filter oil will find its way into the MAP/MAF sensors. With that said, their oil filters are of good construction and the one-inch nut on the top of the filter is a nice value add.
The synthetic blend media pleat spacing is fairly uniform with the exception of the media joint area. An expected silicone ADBV is present as are metal end caps for the media. The media glue is slightly sloppy, but is applied to all parts of the media and end caps. Canister wall thickness ties with the FRAM Endurance and lands near the top of the list. Media efficiency is at the top of the list, but unfortunately, so is the price coming in at the most expensive. Without full synthetic media, this filter is simply too costly.
MicroGard:
Sold exclusively by O’Reilly Auto Parts, this filter sits at the number 2 spot for the lowest cost. It has good construction including metal media end caps, metal media support tube, and shrink wrap on the end to prevent foreign objects from entering.
The media itself is cellulose and as would be expected for the price point, the efficiency is at the bottom of the list potentially overshadowed by the OEM Mopar filter which does not list its efficiency. It also has the lowest mileage rating of the filters that list one. Certainly not a badly built filter, but there are others that offer more for a reasonable cost versus value.
MicroGard Select:
Another O’Reilly offering, and it sits at the number 4 spot in the cost column. Sporting a 10,000-mile rating, but with cellulose media, the overall value of this filter may not be realized given the other filters with synthetic blend for not much more. With that said, it holds the middle rank for efficiency and does have a silicone ADBV, metal media support tube, and the thickest canister wall of all filters reviewed.
It was also one of two filters which had a silicone gasket (Purolator One was the other), giving it a slight leg up on ease of removal at an oil change. Not a terrible choice, but other filters have more to offer, so this one would not be a top choice.
Mobil 1:
Unlike their Extended Performance oils which are typically at the top of the list, this filter falls slightly short in the efficiency department coming in at eighth place and I could not find any ISO test results, though it is near the middle of the pack for cost. It does have a silicone ADBV, synthetic blend media, metal media end caps and support tube.
Tight pleat spacing stands out as does a higher number of pleats versus some of the others which could indicate more filter media given the diameter and height of the filter body, though the efficiency rating is the value to watch. This filter would be my second choice after the Endurance.
Mopar:
It is the OEM filter and may prevent a warranty “fight” if an oil filter related issue arises, but aside from that, not much in the functioning oil filter department can be said. It has an unknown efficiency rating but has synthetic blend media and contains a nitrile ADBV which is less than optimum.
Pleat spacing is average and the canister wall thickness is the third thinnest aside next to the WIX XP and Purolator One filters. Pricing sits about the middle of the pack at $10.78, but given the lack of features and aside from the warranty (not that other filters will void your warranty), this is hardly the best choice.
Purolator One:
According to the salesguy at Advance Auto Parts, these filters have been discontinued at that store, but unknown what that means to the market at large. One thing to note (and I attempted to capture it in the photos) is the bypass valve was pushed all the way to one side. Likely not an issue in normal operation as I suspect that it would center up at some point, but a QC issue nonetheless, which as a reminder, not so long ago this filter was notorious for the media tearing at very low mileage.
It lands square in the middle of the price range while containing a silicone ADBV and gasket as well as synthetic blend media sporting upper tier efficiency and quality construction (aside from the bypass valve). Provided they no longer tear, this would be a decent filter. Though if it is exposed to off-road conditions, I would pass as it also has the thinnest canister wall of the 14 filters tested.
Purolator Boss:
This filter is typically touted as one of the best on the market--certainly Purolator's best. However, despite having plastic mesh backed synthetic media and one of the highest pleat counts, its efficiency rating is the lowest of the 14 filters tested. It boasts 99% @ 46 microns while nearly at the top of the list for price, therefore many other filters will best this one.
Overall construction is solid, and the canister wall thickness is about the middle of the range. It does have an integrated bypass valve as well as a silicone ADBV and metal end caps. All in all, a good college try from Mann+Hummel, but they need to either improve their media efficiency or reduce the price.
STP:
Much like the MicroGard filters, this filter appears to be mainly sold by an autoparts store, namely AutoZone. Overall construction appears to be good and it has a number of features including high efficiency, synthetic blend media, silicone ADBV, good pleat count and spacing, and middle of the pack canister wall thickness.
The glue could be applied in a better way as it is sloppy, but there is enough to ensure the caps will remain attached to the media. Tying with the MicroGard Select on pricing, this filter edges that one out as well as the others except for the Endurance and the Mobil 1 filter. This would be my third choice in filter ranking.
SuperTech:
What filter line up would not be complete without at least glancing at the budget line provided by WalMart. Coming in as the cheapest filter in the list, that attribute is likely its best, though despite the low cost, its canister thickness is in the middle of the pack. With that said, its efficiency matches the price point, perhaps even giving more than expected with a 99% rating at 30 microns.
Overall construction is not awful having great pleat spacing on its cellulose media, and a 10,000 mile rating. With that said, the media is supported via a plastic “e-core” tube, the end caps appear to be of synthetic felt, and the ABDV is nitrile which is prone to hardening. While I would not use this on my vehicle, for those automotive filters that crossover to OPE, these would be more than sufficient.
WIX:
Back when WIX was owned by Affinia, the quality/price point could not be beaten, but that changed a few years ago and WIX is now under Mann+Hummel (Purolator) where the price is now number 11 in the list of 14. The filter media for this series has always been cellulose, but until recently the efficiency numbers were low or unpublished.
This WIX filter has an efficiency rating of 99% @ 23 microns which is quite respectable, though other filters manage 20 microns or better. The ADBV is silicone and the media end caps and support tube are all metal. Pleat spacing is uniform and tight and the glue appears to be well distributed. This is not a bad fourth choice, though some may prefer the WIX brand recognition over that of STP.
WIX XP:
This filter’s efficiency rating is less than that of the standard WIX which is puzzling to say the least. A few years ago, the XP had a 40 micron rating, but time seems to have improved that slightly as it is now 35. With that said, given its price point of next to the most expensive filter, it has little to offer versus other filters for less money that provide better features.
It has a 20,000-mile rating, a silicone ADBV, and synthetic media which has good pleat spacing and support, but is the next to the thinnest canister and base plate thickness of the lot. Due to cost and less than optimal features, this would not be a filter of choice.
I picked up 14 different oil filters and created a table for comparison purposes. No testing has been performed on any of the filters either by using them or via test equipment, so this is not a scientific study by any means. The total pre-tax cost for 14 filters was just under $160 making the average cost about $11.40 per filter.
Filter Table With Statistics
All measurements are millimeters, and all statistical information was obtained from the vendor website when and where possible. Hopefully, this will give some insight into the construction of the filters as well as efficiency ratings.
I used a Longacre Filter Cutter, a Neiko digital caliper, and a Mitotoyo micrometer.
The list of filters are (Purolator filters were added later so they are not in the group photo above):
- AC Delco PF-48
- Fram Endurance FE-10060
- Fram Tough Guard TG-10060
- K&N HP-1017
- MicroGard MGL-57060
- MicroGard Select MSL-57060
- Mobil 1 M1-113A
- Mopar MO-339
- Purolator One PL-12222
- Purolator Boss PLB-12222
- STP Extended Life S-10060XL
- SuperTech ST-10060
- WIX 57060
- WIX XP 57060XP
AC Delco:
A decently constructed filter with good pleat spacing and includes a metal cap on the media. Canister wall thickness is above average, and the design includes a nitrile ADBV, and cellulose media supported by a plastic “e-core” center.
Efficiency is towards the bottom of the list with a 98% at 30 microns rating. Canister wall thickness lands on the upper end while the price lands at 10 out of 14. While not a bad filter, it would not be my first choice when the quality and design are considered.
FRAM Endurance:
This filter replaced the “original” FRAM Ultra Guard which had wire backed synthetic media. The current Ultra does not have wire backing. Endurance has the highest mileage rating of the group as well as one of the highest efficiency ratings. I have attempted to rip the media from other Endurance filters, and it is nearly impossible. The canister wall thickness is close to the top of the list, and it has the thickest base plate of all filters examined.
A silicone ADBV ensures that it will remain flexible on longer oil change intervals. Excessive glue is the one negative highlight for this filter. The price lands at 9 out of 14, but that may not be a detriment given the efficiency which is at the top of the list and overall quality of construction which includes wire backed full synthetic media. This filter would be my first choice.
FRAM Tough Guard:
This filter has been the medium class filter for FRAM for many years. It is a slight upgrade from the economy filter (Extra Guard) whereas it has higher efficiency and longer mileage rating. With that said, the pleat spacing on the filter is a turn-off as I have seen a number of these filters develop incredibly wavy media during use. Though the media did not tear, the design could be improved.
The media end caps are a fiber composite and while that seems less than durable, it too, typically stands up under use and the glue used is quite robust, though it could have been applied to connect the metal support tube over the full circumference. Although it ranks the third lowest in the list for cost, I would pass on this filter for one with a higher quality construction.
K&N:
K&N typically falls into either a love or hate scenario. I am not a fan of K&N air filters, particularly on turbocharged engines because the increase in airflow comes at a cost of decreased filtering and the chance that filter oil will find its way into the MAP/MAF sensors. With that said, their oil filters are of good construction and the one-inch nut on the top of the filter is a nice value add.
The synthetic blend media pleat spacing is fairly uniform with the exception of the media joint area. An expected silicone ADBV is present as are metal end caps for the media. The media glue is slightly sloppy, but is applied to all parts of the media and end caps. Canister wall thickness ties with the FRAM Endurance and lands near the top of the list. Media efficiency is at the top of the list, but unfortunately, so is the price coming in at the most expensive. Without full synthetic media, this filter is simply too costly.
MicroGard:
Sold exclusively by O’Reilly Auto Parts, this filter sits at the number 2 spot for the lowest cost. It has good construction including metal media end caps, metal media support tube, and shrink wrap on the end to prevent foreign objects from entering.
The media itself is cellulose and as would be expected for the price point, the efficiency is at the bottom of the list potentially overshadowed by the OEM Mopar filter which does not list its efficiency. It also has the lowest mileage rating of the filters that list one. Certainly not a badly built filter, but there are others that offer more for a reasonable cost versus value.
MicroGard Select:
Another O’Reilly offering, and it sits at the number 4 spot in the cost column. Sporting a 10,000-mile rating, but with cellulose media, the overall value of this filter may not be realized given the other filters with synthetic blend for not much more. With that said, it holds the middle rank for efficiency and does have a silicone ADBV, metal media support tube, and the thickest canister wall of all filters reviewed.
It was also one of two filters which had a silicone gasket (Purolator One was the other), giving it a slight leg up on ease of removal at an oil change. Not a terrible choice, but other filters have more to offer, so this one would not be a top choice.
Mobil 1:
Unlike their Extended Performance oils which are typically at the top of the list, this filter falls slightly short in the efficiency department coming in at eighth place and I could not find any ISO test results, though it is near the middle of the pack for cost. It does have a silicone ADBV, synthetic blend media, metal media end caps and support tube.
Tight pleat spacing stands out as does a higher number of pleats versus some of the others which could indicate more filter media given the diameter and height of the filter body, though the efficiency rating is the value to watch. This filter would be my second choice after the Endurance.
Mopar:
It is the OEM filter and may prevent a warranty “fight” if an oil filter related issue arises, but aside from that, not much in the functioning oil filter department can be said. It has an unknown efficiency rating but has synthetic blend media and contains a nitrile ADBV which is less than optimum.
Pleat spacing is average and the canister wall thickness is the third thinnest aside next to the WIX XP and Purolator One filters. Pricing sits about the middle of the pack at $10.78, but given the lack of features and aside from the warranty (not that other filters will void your warranty), this is hardly the best choice.
Purolator One:
According to the salesguy at Advance Auto Parts, these filters have been discontinued at that store, but unknown what that means to the market at large. One thing to note (and I attempted to capture it in the photos) is the bypass valve was pushed all the way to one side. Likely not an issue in normal operation as I suspect that it would center up at some point, but a QC issue nonetheless, which as a reminder, not so long ago this filter was notorious for the media tearing at very low mileage.
It lands square in the middle of the price range while containing a silicone ADBV and gasket as well as synthetic blend media sporting upper tier efficiency and quality construction (aside from the bypass valve). Provided they no longer tear, this would be a decent filter. Though if it is exposed to off-road conditions, I would pass as it also has the thinnest canister wall of the 14 filters tested.
Purolator Boss:
This filter is typically touted as one of the best on the market--certainly Purolator's best. However, despite having plastic mesh backed synthetic media and one of the highest pleat counts, its efficiency rating is the lowest of the 14 filters tested. It boasts 99% @ 46 microns while nearly at the top of the list for price, therefore many other filters will best this one.
Overall construction is solid, and the canister wall thickness is about the middle of the range. It does have an integrated bypass valve as well as a silicone ADBV and metal end caps. All in all, a good college try from Mann+Hummel, but they need to either improve their media efficiency or reduce the price.
STP:
Much like the MicroGard filters, this filter appears to be mainly sold by an autoparts store, namely AutoZone. Overall construction appears to be good and it has a number of features including high efficiency, synthetic blend media, silicone ADBV, good pleat count and spacing, and middle of the pack canister wall thickness.
The glue could be applied in a better way as it is sloppy, but there is enough to ensure the caps will remain attached to the media. Tying with the MicroGard Select on pricing, this filter edges that one out as well as the others except for the Endurance and the Mobil 1 filter. This would be my third choice in filter ranking.
SuperTech:
What filter line up would not be complete without at least glancing at the budget line provided by WalMart. Coming in as the cheapest filter in the list, that attribute is likely its best, though despite the low cost, its canister thickness is in the middle of the pack. With that said, its efficiency matches the price point, perhaps even giving more than expected with a 99% rating at 30 microns.
Overall construction is not awful having great pleat spacing on its cellulose media, and a 10,000 mile rating. With that said, the media is supported via a plastic “e-core” tube, the end caps appear to be of synthetic felt, and the ABDV is nitrile which is prone to hardening. While I would not use this on my vehicle, for those automotive filters that crossover to OPE, these would be more than sufficient.
WIX:
Back when WIX was owned by Affinia, the quality/price point could not be beaten, but that changed a few years ago and WIX is now under Mann+Hummel (Purolator) where the price is now number 11 in the list of 14. The filter media for this series has always been cellulose, but until recently the efficiency numbers were low or unpublished.
This WIX filter has an efficiency rating of 99% @ 23 microns which is quite respectable, though other filters manage 20 microns or better. The ADBV is silicone and the media end caps and support tube are all metal. Pleat spacing is uniform and tight and the glue appears to be well distributed. This is not a bad fourth choice, though some may prefer the WIX brand recognition over that of STP.
WIX XP:
This filter’s efficiency rating is less than that of the standard WIX which is puzzling to say the least. A few years ago, the XP had a 40 micron rating, but time seems to have improved that slightly as it is now 35. With that said, given its price point of next to the most expensive filter, it has little to offer versus other filters for less money that provide better features.
It has a 20,000-mile rating, a silicone ADBV, and synthetic media which has good pleat spacing and support, but is the next to the thinnest canister and base plate thickness of the lot. Due to cost and less than optimal features, this would not be a filter of choice.
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