Oil filters are vital to boost a vehicle’s performance as they help keep the engine well maintained and clean from various contaminants. Moreover, they also lubricate the pistons and make them work smoothly.
High temperature conditions can cause wear and tear in the engine and produce harmful materials that can deteorite it. This leads to performance issues, especially when the the oil filter is of poor quality.
One of the reasons that engines fail before their life expectancy is because car owners do not change the oil at the right time. Here’s where oil filters come into play. They can help clean the engine oil and keep the engine in a good state too.
It is essential to get an oil filter that is of good quality and this requires research and digging deep into various oil filters. However, it may be a frustrating and daunting experience for many. Therefore, we have picked 5 of the most effective oil filters for you.
Speaking of oil filters, there’s one name that has gained quite some popularity, Fram. Fram oil filters are known to enhance the performance as they are excellent when it comes to cleaning the engine oil from harmful materials and boosting the engine performance.
Our top Fram oil filter picks are:
- FRAM XG7317 Ultra Synthetic Spin-On Oil Filter with Sure Grip
- FRAM XG9688 Ultra Synthetic Spin-On Oil Filter
- FRAM XG9972 Ultra Synthetic Premium Oil Filter
- FRAM XG6607 Ultra Synthetic Spin-On Oil Filter
- FRAM XG9018 Ultra Synthetic Oil Filter
It’s important that you pick an oil filter that meets your vehicle’s requirements and enhances the engine operation.
Oil filters are said to trap dirt to a great deal, however, very few oil filters can do this well. Fram is one such filter as its oil filters are capable of trapping 99% dirt and other contaminants, too.
Fram oil filters are among the best ones on the market because they are easy to install, replace and take care of.
Let’s get to know the top five oil filters we’ve picked:
1) FRAM XG7317 Ultra Synthetic Spin-On Oil Filter with Sure Grip
This oil filter can trap almost twice the amount of dirt compared to what an ordinary oil filter can. Installing this filter to your engine will protect your engine and other moving parts up to 15,000 miles of running.
It’s quite tall with a height of 3.469, however, still fits many cars.
The dual layer synthetic media in this filter is said to trap the tiniest dirt particles up to 99%. That’s how efficient it is at keeping your engine protected.
Fram XG7317 keeps the oil smooth and running and the engine is kept fed with a continuous flow of clean oil. Hence, it prolongs the lifespan of your engine and saves you many dollars.
The oil filter has a sure grip which makes it easier to replace it and no special tools are required when you want to change the oil.
The threads on its grip are there to contain spills and leaks and ensure that no oil is spilled or wasted.
For safe engine start up, the oil filter has a silicone anti-drainback. It ensures that your vehicle turns on safely.
This is one of the few oil filters that is compatible with a total of 18 various kinds of brands/engines.
Can Be Installed In These Cars:
- Acura
- Chrysler
- Dodge
- Eagle
- Ford
- Honda
- Hyundai
- Infinity
- KIA
- Mazda
- Mercury
- Mitsubishi
- Nissan
- Plymouth
- Saturn
- Schaeff
- Subaru
- Suzuki
- Fits almost every engine
- Durable screw-on design
- Works for 15,000 miles.
- Leak-proof threads
- Easy to install and replace
- Safe silicone anti-drain back valve
- Reliable brand
- Only works with synthetic oil
2) FRAM XG9688 Ultra Synthetic Spin-On Oil Filter
This is much like the XG73137, but a little smaller in size, but is said to be more durable than the former. This oil filter is proven to work for 20,000 miles without causing any problems in the engine and is designed for everyday drivers.
The sure-grip thread makes it easy to mount or dismount them with ease. You won’t be requiring the help of a mechanic to install the filter into your vehicle because it mounts very easily into place.
Its body is made up of the same material as the XG 73137 so you don’t need to worry about its durability.
Compatible with 9 types of engines, it has a height of 3.08.
The problem with most oil filters is that their metal grinds with the engine but such is not the case with Fram XG9688 thanks to the silicone anti-drain plug equipped in it.
Beside being smaller and being able to keep the engines clean up to 20,000 miles, there’s not much difference between XG7313 AND XG9688.
Can Be Installed In These Cars/Engines:
- Asuna
- Hyundai
- Infiniti
- KIA
- Lotus
- Mitsubishi
- Scion
- Subaru
- Toyota
- Fits many engines due to its smaller size
- Leak proof and easy to install.
- Works up to 20,000 miles.
- Avoids dry startups.
- Can’t hold much oil for larger engines.
- To be used with synthetic oil only.
3) FRAM XG9972 Ultra Synthetic Premium Oil Filter
The XG9972 offers peace of mind to drivers as there won’t be any need to change the oil for up to 20,000 miles which is why it is recommended for everyday drivers.
The height of the product is 2.64, but is suitable only for four types of engines.
Like all other Fram oil filters, this one too can trap almost 99% of dirt particles and keep the engine safe from getting damaged or malfunctioning.
The synthetic media offers durability and optimum oil flow which is a must when it comes to enhancing the performance of an engine and keeping it consistent.
It comes with a drain adapter that makes it easier for drivers to drain the oil.
Just like other Fram filters, it too has a durable body and threads on it for good grip and leakage prevention.
Can Be Installed In These Cars/Engines:
- Lexus
- Lotus
- Scion
- Toyota
- Lasts up to 20,000 miles.
- Catches 99% dirt particles.
- Leakproof
- Can easily be installed.
- Optimum oil flow.
- Designed to use with synthetic oil only.
- Compatible with only 4 brands.
4) FRAM XG6607 Ultra Synthetic Spin-On Oil Filter
This one has a lubricating sealing gasket like all other Fram oil filters. It makes the filter removal easy and convenient for drivers who have no knowledge about how to remove a filter.
With a height of 2.625, the XG6607 oil filter is compatible with 16 types of engines and offers up to 15,000 miles of engine protection.
The silicone anti-drain back valve ensures that the oil doesn’t spill into the engine. Plus, the thread-like body ensures a good and firm grip to aid in removal and installing of the filter.
The metal body which encloses the filter is able to withstand enormous amount of outside pressure and protects the filter even in higher temperature.
Can Be Installed In These Cars/Engines:
- Chevrolet
- Dodge
- Ford
- Honda
- Infinity
- KIA
- Mazda
- Mercury
- Mitsubishi
- Nissan
- SAAB
- Scion
- Subaru
- Smart
- Suzuki
- Toyota
- Durable body
- Fits into many kinds of engines.
- Easy to use and replace.
- Trapps 99% of contaminants.
- To be used with synthetic oil only.
5) FRAM XG9018 Ultra Synthetic Oil Filter
This one has a solid outer body, leak proof thread-like structure and a height of 3.5, making it the tallest among all on the list.
It is designed to be used with synthetic oil and doesn’t have a drain back valve so you might see some spills.
Ensures optimum flow and traps almost every contaminant that may mix into the oil and is compatible with 8 kinds of engines/brands.
Can Be Installed In These Cars/Engines:
- Buick
- Chevrolet
- Fisker
- GMC
- Oldsmobile
- Pontiac
- SAAB
- Saturn.
How To Install Them?
- Wear gloves so that the oil won’t come into contact with the skin if spilled.
- Place a drain pan under the oil filter and start to unscrew it counter clockwise.
- Take a cloth and clean the mounting base with it.
- Keep in mind that the oil filter shouldn’t be connected to the filter mount.
- On the filter gasket, apply a film of clean oil.
- Place the new filter on the gasket and keep screwing until it touches the base. Tighten it.
- Pour the oil to “full” on dipstick, leave it for minutes and see that no oil is leaking.
The Verdict
Make sure to pick an oil filter that is compatible with the car’s engine before you buy one.
All the Fram oil filters serve as an excellent choice when it comes to keeping the engine to its best. They clean the oil by trapping almost every contaminant that may pose a threat to the engine.
They are quite easy to replace and use, so, you can install and remove them on your own.
Last update on 2023-06-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Here’s a secret: the oil filter won’t know you put conventional oil in it if you don’t tell it!
I have used the Fram XG10060 Ultra Synthetic on my 5.7 Hemi for years. No issues. My synthetic oil stays relatively clean between changes. I check every filter for burrs on the threads, metal filings, and any signs of contamination. So far nothing. Reviews with disassembly show good construction and filter media.
Fram Tough Guard & Ultra are some of the best $7-$8 filters on the market. Period! Plenty of experiments, reviews & ratings out there to support that. Stop scaring folks into more expensive alternatives. You pick on non-issues with these filters while offering no proof that anything you point out causes any issues with the filter whatsoever. Next, you’ll be trying to tell us the color of paint on the outside of the filter can cause restrictions in oil flow & premature engine failure! Jerez!!!
Fram UltraSyntheric is actually not so bad, unlike the lower-end filters of that brand. I’ve been using it for years in my Impreza, and never had a problem.