Take a look inside and compare new vs. used spin-on oil filters.
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If oil is the lifeblood of an engine, then the oil filter is its liver. Changing your oil and filter regularly is the difference between an engine that runs clean for hundreds of thousands of miles and a sludged-up sack full of broken metal bits. And it’s a lot easier and less expensive than a liver transplant.
Many modern engines use a cartridge-type oil filter. It’s easy to gauge the condition of a cartridge filter; you can see the filter element when you crack open the cartridge, and that element is the replaceable part.
More common, though, is the conventional spin-on oil filter. It’s also easy to remove, and replacement is a matter of simply spinning on a new one. But an outer steel canister conceals the filter element, so most of us have never seen the inside of one.
That all changes today with our recommendations for the best oil filters.
K&N Performance Gold
The majority of the filters on this list were tested for review. Each was put to use on a running engine to cycle as they would under normal circumstances. Afterward, they were cut open and thoroughly inspected. This testing gives our buying guide a much clearer, much more realistic list of recommendations than most. Also, a fair bit of research was conducted to ensure any filters selected are truly worthwhile.
Quality and a perfect fit earned the Beck-Arnley spin-on oil filter our Best Overall award. We’ve used dozens of these filters on everything from a turbocharged 4-cylinder to naturally aspirated V6s with excellent results. Consistent quality and performance keep us coming back for more.
We hadn’t ever thought to slice one of these filters open, so we put a new and a used filter into the cutter for comparison purposes. Beck-Arnley’s thick steel canister nearly defeated the oil cutting tool; it took a few tries before giving up. The anti-drain valve worked perfectly; the used filter canister was nearly full of used oil even after weeks on the oil drain pan and the filter media trapped plenty of dirt and crud.
Every Beck-Arnley part we’ve ever used meets or beats the OEM dealer part, and the oil filter even comes with a service reminder sticker.
Correct canister volume for older engines
Sealed and pre-lubricated o-ring base gasket
Can be difficult to find and more expensive than economy-grade oil filters
Domestic applications often not available
You might think we’ve blown a gasket by recommending a manufacturer or OE part as the best value. But time after time every OEM filter, while perhaps not the cheapest, always works the way it should. So unless you've got a compulsion to pay more or really enjoy changing your oil filter a lot, the OEM filter is usually the best deal on the market.
Using genuine OEM products takes the guesswork out of the oil and filter equation, especially as manufacturer oil and filter service intervals stretch well past the 5,000-mile range. True, OEM parts are generally more expensive. But for this test, we consistently found that OEM oil filters were actually competitively priced than their aftermarket equivalents. Some even cost less.
The photo above is a genuine Mitsubishi folder filter, which beats aftermarket competition on both quality and price. However, any OEM product will meet your needs.
Assured performance from the same company that built your engine
Factory correct bypass valve pressure
Competitive price over aftermarket filters
Engineered for use with newer engines
May not be the best choice for older vehicles
Watch out for counterfeits in the online marketplace
The K&N Performance Gold oil filter carries the higher cost of performance and quality, but those features make it an attractive upgrade. The welded-on nut is its most familiar feature, but K&N always packs plenty of the good stuff inside the canister, too.
The thick steel shell was tough to get through, and the internal components were clearly a cut above the rest of the oil filters in our test. The parts looked similar at first glance, but extra rows and larger diameter passage holes, and a unique center tube design, clearly demonstrate K&N designed its oil filters for improved performance.
K&N claims their synthetic filter media and end cap design allows 10 percent more oil to flow through the filter than the competition, and considering the company’s vaunted racing heritage we can sure see the advantage in that. And for what it’s worth, after fighting to remove way too many oil filters in our day the welded-on end nut alone makes K&N worth the extra cost.
High flow filter element and high-quality anti-drain back valve
Extensive catalog of applications for most vehicles<
Built-in nut is worth the extra cost alone
Everyday drivers may not need a high-performance filter
Premium quality oil filters demand a premium price
It’s not a household name, but Denso is an original equipment supplier to major automakers (such as Toyota). And we found its oil filter for our application was a close match to our OEM part. Cracking open the heavy-duty steel canister revealed dual-layer filter media, a silicone anti-drain back valve, and a pre-lubricated o-ring seal.
Denso Auto Parts brings OE-quality parts like this oil filter to the consumer market that meet or exceed original equipment specifications and fit. We found availability was the only drawback to Denso, as its most popular filters were often sold out.
Quality construction and filter media
Inventory is often sold out
Quality construction and filter media
Quality control issues are somewhat common
Must double-check fit before ordering
Today’s longer oil service intervals, as well as more and more new cars being delivered from the factory with synthetic oil, make getting the right oil filter more critical than ever. Going with a genuine or OEM oil filter, such as Motorcraft, is an excellent choice, even if you have to spend a little more coin. Picking up an OEM-quality oil filter from an original equipment supplier is the next best thing. Aftermarket oil filters can meet and even exceed OEM specifications, but quality counts more than the brand name. Look to high-performance oil filters if track days, drag racing, or towing and hauling are in your future.
Getting the right oil filter is heavily based on the application you're working with. For the most part, a simple year-make-model search will get you in the right place. Still, a few simple tips will go a long way in selecting a filter that'll keep your engine in shape.
Self-contained spin-on filters gained popularity in the mid-50s, and have been the status quo in automotive engine oil filtration for the last half-century. Unfortunately, their ease of use has resulted in mountains of used, non-biodegradable oil filters clogging up landfills and shop yards. Combine that and the decline of large-displacement gas-guzzlers with today’s smaller, higher-revving engines, and their popularity is waning.
The cartridge-type oil filter is making a comeback. Its removable and reusable housing, combined with a replaceable filter element, results in far less waste. While slightly more labor-intensive, they’re cheaper to maintain than spin-ons. And far more eco-friendly.
Modern cartridge-type oil filter systems are not without fault, however. Some manufacturers use lightweight plastic filter housings that not only require a special tool for removal but are notoriously unforgiving and can sometimes break apart when overtightened.
Knowing what type of filter your car is working with is important, but a year-make-model search really does cut out the majority of the work for you. All you need to know are the details of what engine is in your car, and a simple search will get you in the right place. Knowing what type of filter to expect is good for double-checking your work, though.
This is specific to spin-on filters. Many aftermarket filters come with flimsy, cheap housings that should be avoided. They are more attractive up front due to low costs but will cause major problems down the line. It's not uncommon for oil filters to become stuck in place, requiring an oil filter wrench for removal. Flimsy housings crumble, leaving you with a nightmare to deal with. Take the time to find filters that are built well to avoid a messy situation.
Filter media is the core and most important part of the oil filter. The pleated material wraps around a center tube, and the filter assembly can be held together by steel or cellulose end caps. Some newer filters are bonded to the center tube with adhesives and have no endplates. Manufacturers use wood-based cellulose, synthetic filter media, or a combination that best meets the engine’s demands.
An individual oil filter will cost somewhere between $5 and $20. How much you can expect to pay depends on both the type of filter you're using and the specifics that make it a match to your application. Other than that, quality is the biggest driving factor in oil filter pricing.
You've got questions. The Drive has answers!
A. Yes. Today’s engines run clean enough that manufacturer recommendations of 7,500 to 10,000 miles between oil changes are increasingly common, so a new oil filter is mandatory. Some older engines only needed a new filter every other 3000-mile oil change, but these days a new filter with every oil change is best practice.
A. Not necessarily. Automakers often source parts like oil filters from original equipment suppliers like Denso, and brand them as their own. Some of those companies (like Denso) offer the exact same parts in the aftermarket, and they match OEM quality in every way except the branding. Some aftermarket companies improve on OEM shortcomings and engineer a better filter.
A. Yes and no. Oil filter part numbers must match with your specific engine. You'll need to check your owner’s manual for the specific part number. Likewise, most auto parts stores will have your make, model, and engine size on file and can tell you what fits and what doesn't.
A. Yes, especially if your engine came full of synthetic oil from the factory. Standard cellulose oil filter media will work in a pinch, for a little while. But an oil filter with hybrid or synthetic filter media will hold up through the longer service life of synthetic oils. Play it safe and follow manufacturer guidelines for oil and filter.
A. By following your car’s maintenance schedule. There is no way to check and see if a spin-on oil filter is dirty without cutting it open. Some cartridge-type filters can be inspected without draining the oil, but unless it’s obviously clogged up a visual inspection doesn't tell the whole story. Replace your oil filter with every oil change. Then you’ll know for sure.
Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
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