The oil filter is considered to be a vital car component that keeps the vehicle in top shape and road-worthy.
Despite its size, it is crucial element that makes sure the car will run smoothly.
With a good, efficient and reliable car oil filter the motor oil flowing within the engine will be free from contaminants that threatens to damage the car’s engine.
When the motor oil is left unfiltered, it will gradually accumulate tiny contaminants and particles merging with the oil flow that will slowly wear the engine.
To prevent this, you have to make sure that you car is equipped with the best oil filter and this buying guide will help you find one.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
In A Hurry? Here’s My Top Picks…
Table could not be displayed.10 Top Rated Oil Filters Comparisons
To make your search for the right and ideal oil filter for your car a lot easier, I’ve listed the top filters available in the market this year.
The ones that are considered to be the best by car experts and seasoned drivers.
The filters on the list can be your potential options as a replacement part since all of them have the quality, reliability and durability that you need for your car to run smoothly.
So, feel free to learn more about them and pick the one that you think the best for your needs.
1. FL-820-S Silicone Valve Oil Filter – Motorcraft
Coming from one of the popular brands in the automotive aftermarket industry, the FL-820-S Silicone Valve Oil Filter from Motorcraft is a great product.
Not only that, the Ford Motor Company recommends filters from this brand; they are also engineered to pass high-quality standards to ensure reliability and efficiency.
The filter is crafted and designed to efficiently protect a vehicle’s engine from nasty impurities such as dust, carbon, sand, and tiny scraps of metal.
This filter is engineered to provide the essential lubrication every moving part of the engine needs, keeping the engine a well-oiled machine at all times.
This oil filter has a direct FitProtect feature that ensures the precise fit of the part, eliminating or greatly decreasing the chance of tainted oil recirculating to the engine.
It is built with pressure-relief valves that maintain the flow of clean oil in the extremely cold temperatures or if the filter itself gets congested.
As the oil filter is considered as the official replacement part for Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln vehicles, Motrcaft’s filter is a great product to consider.
With its anti-drain valves made from silicone that prevents oil from draining, this oil filter ensures the consistent supply of clean oil to the entire engine.
For an oil filter that keeps a car a well-oiled machine, it is a great buy!
Pros
- Fit Protect feature
- Built with pressure-relief valves
- Efficiently filter contaminants
- Recommended by Ford
Cons
- Installation issues
- Compatibility issues
2. M1-110 Extended Performance Oil Filter – Mobil 1
Stronger and more efficient filtering is what this next product promises.
Manufactured by Mobil 1, one of the most popular brands in the automotive industry, the M1-110 Extended Performance Oil Filter is an excellent product.
With its very high-efficiency rating that is recorded 99.6%, this is an oil filter that every driver should check out.
Coming as a spin-on model or as a cartridge, this high-performance oil filter is designed to ensure exceptional filtering.
It has a 99.6% efficiency rating with regards to preventing any type of contaminants from blending with the oil stream.
It is built to hold up 28 grams of abrasives, which is twice the capacity of other filters.
The filter features a pressure protection system that allows it to withstand up to 615 pascals of pressure per square inch.
It is nine times more resistant compared to normal filters out there.
The unit is built with an anti-drain valve made from silicone that allows it to supply uncontaminated oil, preventing leakage as a drastic measure.
If you are in the market for a reliable, proven, and tested oil filter that will give you peace of mind, allowing you not to worry about contaminated oil recycling to your engine.
Then Mobil 1’s oil filter is the model that you have to check out. Just make sure that it fits your vehicle because it does not fit on several vehicle models.
Pros
- Cartridge model or spin-on model
- 97% multi-pass efficiency rating
- Pressure protection feature
- Built with anti-drain valve
Cons
- Compatibility issue
- Difficult installation
3. Filtech 3330 Premium Oil Filter – Bosch
With its patented technology, the Filtech 3330 Premium Oil Filter from Bosch ensures much stronger filtration and more efficient capturing of contaminants.
This is why this product is considered to be one of the best of its kind in the market today.
If you are looking for a reliable and efficient oil filter for your car, you definitely have to check this one out.
The oil filter features the patented Filtech technology that allows it to provide improved and more efficient oil filtration that increases its engine protection.
It is designed to filter up to 42% more area than the conventional filters, and it has a filter medium that is 30% thicker—allowing it to filter out more impurities than its counterparts.
This premium oil filter is built with an anti-drain back valve made from silicone to supply uncontaminated oil throughout the engine.
This oil filter is designed with a high-lubricity gasket for a tight and secured seal and easy removal.
This model is fabricated with strong steel plates and housing, allowing to prevent 99% of the contaminants from getting inside the engine.
If your vehicle supports this oil filter manufactured by Bosch, then you can consider this product as an excellent investment.
With its larger filtering area and thicker media, it can be very beneficial for you since it offers better efficiency and filtration.
Despite its price tag, it is surely worth every penny spent on it.
Pros
- Filtech filtration technology
- 99% filter efficiency
- 42% more area of filtration
- 30% thicker filtration media
- Silicone anti-drain back valve
Cons
- A bit pricey
- Compatibility issues
4. Genuine Parts 90915-YZZF2 Oil Filter – Toyota
If you have a Toyota and you are looking to replace your car’s oil filter, then you don’t have to look any further.
Try looking for the Genuine Parts 90915-YZZF2 Oil Filter manufactured by Toyota.
Since this filter is an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) part, you won’t have any issues fitting it in your car.
Which means you’ll get the performance you usually get without any hassle.
Aside from having a direct fit, the original replacement oil filter is built to pass the high standards of the quality.
As an authentic OEM part, this oil filter ensures reliability and top of the line quality. This product is designed to deliver the filtration a vehicle needs to be a well-oiled machine.
The filter is built to improve the effectiveness of an engine since it effectively filters various contaminants from the oil and keeps them from getting into the engine.
This filter is engineered to make sure the engine will get the constant flow of refined oil, boosting its performance.
As an authentic Original Equipment Manufacturer part, this OEM filter of Toyota assures excellent performance.
Although it is recommended to use motor oil products from Toyota, this filter is usable with other motor oil brands.
Make sure to consider this one if you are driving a Toyota, for a hassle-free replacement.
Pros
- Original Equipment Manufacturer part
- Direct fit for Toyota vehicles
- Ensures quality and reliability
- A sensible choice for Toyota owners
Cons
- Built for Toyota vehicles
- Exclusively used by Toyota
5. HU 925/4 X Metal-Free Oil Filter – Mann-Filter
For drivers looking for an engine-friendly oil filter that provides excellent engine protection from impurities.
Mann-Filter’s HU 925/4 X Metal-Free Oil Filter is the product to look for.
With its ability to hold high amounts of contaminants, this engine-friendly oil filter will ensure your car’s smooth performance.
The Oil Filter is cleverly engineered to be friendly to engines, and this is made from non-metal materials that eliminate the risk of damaging the engine.
This metal-free oil filter is eco-friendly in that disposing of it through a thermal process won’t provide any ash.
This filter features a high-holding capacity for much more effective filtration.
This metal-free oil filter is built with a pleated structure that allows its entire filter facet to be more efficient during a filtration process.
This makes it more effective compared to the standard oil filters in the market today. The oil filter is very easy to install and remove, making it very convenient.
As a metal-free oil filter, the filter manufactured by Mann-Filter is considered to be one of the best options for drivers looking for an eco-friendly and engine-friendly oil filter.
Investing in this product is a great idea. Just make sure that it fits your vehicle.
Pros
- Metal-free oil filter
- Environmental friendly
- Easy removal and installation
- High capacity and efficient filtration
Cons
- Too big for some cars
- Compatibility issues
6. XG7317 Ultra Synthetic Oil Filter With SureGrip – Fram
This spin-on oil filter that boasts a SureGrip feature is considered to be one of the best synthetic products in the market today. The XG7317 Oil Filter manufactured by Fram.
As an efficient and proven product that offers maximum engine protection, this model is widely used for cars and lightweight trucks. So, this is one that definitely deserves a look.
This reliable oil filter is the perfect product for those drivers looking to maximize the use of synthetic oils.
This is because this is a dual-layered filtering media built with metal screens that trap more dirt, allowing it to have a longer life.
It is designed to deliver efficient engine protection that can go up to twenty thousand miles.
This ultra synthetic oil filter is crafted to deliver optimum performance that is claimed to be up to more than 99% removal efficiency at the rate higher than twenty microns.
The oil filter model is built with Fram’s patented SureGrip technology that gives it a texture that prevents it from slipping.
This feature makes this filter very easy to install and remove.
If you are the kind of driver looking to maximize the use of synthetic oils, then this Fram’s oil filter is the model you should consider.
With its dual-layered filtering media as well as its SureGrip feature, this filter is well worth its cost. Just be sure that it has the right size to fit your car.
Pros
- Sure Grip feature
- Dual-layered filtering media
- Dirt removal rating more than 99%
- Silicone anti-drain valve
Cons
- Too small for several car models
- Difficult installation
7. ROY 10-2835 Premium Oil Filter with Extended Life – Royal Purple
If you are looking for an oil filter that does not only excellent engine protection but also offers a longer service life.
Check out the ROY 10-2835 Premium Oil Filter manufactured by Royal Purple.
Not only does it have the performance you are looking for, but this filter also works well with a wide range of vehicle models.
As a product from a brand that claims to manufacture the best high-performance oil filters today, this Oil Filter is an all-synthetic product that offers up to fifteen thousand miles of protection.
It is built with a micro-glass filtration media engineered to deliver up 99% efficiency at twenty-five microns or more.
This particular product features a durable and sturdy silicone anti-drain back valve that eliminates dry starts and ensures the circulation of refined oil in the entire engine.
This valve is designed to prevent harmful contaminants from circulating through the stream of clean oil.
Considered to be one of the best all-synthetic oil filters in the market today, the oil filter from Royal Purple can be a good investment.
As long as it fits your vehicle, you will get the performance and efficiency that you paid for this product.
Pros
- Longer service life
- Protection up to 15,000 miles
- 99% contaminant removal efficiency
- Silicone valve that eliminates dry starts
Cons
- Compatibility issues
- No return policy
8. HP-1003 Performance Oil Filter (Wrench-Off) – K&N
For drivers looking for an oil filter that can endure the demanding race applications or a filter durable enough to withstand high flow rates during extreme conditions.
The HP-1003 Performance Oil Filter from K&N is the product to check out.
As one of the most popular filters today, this is widely recommended for ATVs, SUVs, trucks, and even motorcycles.
The oil filter manufactured by K&N is a product engineered to work with most car models, trucks, motorcycles, SUVs, and ATVs.
It features a filter media that is impregnated with resin improving its capabilities to capture contaminants up to 99% efficiency rate.
This heavy-duty filter is built with top of the line materials to endure extreme conditions.
This popular oil filter is designed to eliminate dry starts by having an anti-drain back valve that prevents the oil from returning to the engine when one is not running.
It features a design where a 1-inch nut is exposed for easier removal of the filter boosting convenience.
Overall, the oil filter manufactured by K&N is a great option to consider if you are looking for a replacement.
Despite presenting a bit of difficulty for oil changes, the fact that it works well with most cars and even other vehicle types, it is a great product.
Not to mention the reliability and efficiency that it has to offer.
Pros
- Heavy-duty and exceptional durability
- Very efficient filtration process
- Easy to remove feature for convenience
- Usable for both motor and synthetic oils
- Impressive filtration capability
Cons
- Welded nut prevents change oil
- Inconvenient to use
9. OEM 15208AA15A Oil Filter – Subaru
For Subaru owners looking for a replacement oil filter, this Original Equipment Manufacturer 15208AA15A Subaru Oil Filter is the product you should consider.
Like the Toyota OEM part on this list, this is a hassle-free oil filter that has a direct fit to most of the Subaru models.
If you are a Subaru owner, make sure to take a look at this product first!
As an OEM part, this oil filter is specifically designed to provide excellent engine protection and sustain the flow of refined oil for better car performance.
This factory equipment part is engineered to efficiently filter harmful contaminants and prevent them from joining the clean oil stream within the entire engine.
Since this is a Subaru’s Original Equipment Manufacturer part, this oil filter ensures excellent quality as well as durability.
It also promises quick and easy installation since it has a direct fit to most of the Subaru models. However, this is not considered as an aftermarket part.
If you are a Subaru owner, this is definitely the best option to get, since the oil filter is specifically made for Subaru vehicles.
As an OEM oil filter, this ensures good quality and excellent filtering efficiency. With its good engine protection as well as reliability, this product is surely a good buy!
Pros
- Original Equipment Manufacturer part
- Optimum performance
- Excellent engine protection
- Efficient filtration for consistent flow
Cons
- This is not an aftermarket part
- Built for Subaru vehicles only
10. TP3018 Professional Fuel Filter – ACDelco
The final entry on my list is manufactured by ACDelco, a well-renowned brand in the aftermarket industry, the TP3018 Professional Fuel Filter.
If you are looking to get a premium oil filter that will give you impressive engine protection, exceptional filtration, and sustainable flow of refined oil, this is the right product for you!
Coming from a trusted aftermarket brand, the high-performance filter promises optimum performance and exceptional reliability.
It is crafted to meet the top of the line standards according to functionality, suitability, and proper fit.
This filter is engineered to protect the engine from various contaminants, keeping it in good condition.
This filter is built and designed to filter any sort of impurity, preventing them from entering the fuel distribution system of a vehicle.
It also traps these contaminants or impurities into a filtering media to keep them from joining the oil stream in the engine.
As an aftermarket part manufactured by a brand well-known for quality products, this filter is a great buy.
With its exceptional reliability as well as impressive performance, this is a product that every driver should consider when buying a replacement oil filter.
Pros
- Excellent brand reputation
- Reliable and durable
- Optimum performance
Cons
- Fitting difficulties
- Complex installation
Buying Guide For Oil Filters
Now that you have a list of the top oil filters available in the market today. You can’t just storm to market and buy the most expensive model on the list.
Without the right knowledge, there is a good chance that you will fail to choose the right oil filter for your car.
When it comes to buying an oil filter for your needs, you have to remember that expensive doesn’t mean the best.
If you purchase a pricey filter that does not fit your car, it will be a waste of money.
So to help you come up with a smart decision, here’s a buying guide that you can refer to, along with some significant facts regarding oil filters to equip you with the right knowledge that will aid you in your search for the best product that will give you the best value for your money.
Defining An Oil Filter And Understanding How It Works
An oil filter is considered as one of the most vital components of a vehicle. Its role is significant to both a car’s performance and upkeep.
Like our kidney, a vehicle’s oil filter sifts impurities, contaminants, dirt, and tiny particles that can be harmful to the engine.
It prevents these harmful impurities from mixing with the oil that circulates within the vehicle.
Without an oil filter, a vehicle’s engine will be extremely vulnerable to wear and tear and will greatly affect its performance leading to its early demise.
Built with a variety of components, namely the filter media, tapping plate, relief valve, anti-drain back valve, pleats center, retainer, steel tube, and the end disc that are enclosed on a durable casing.
An oil filter works where the impurities are strained through its filtering mediums. The filter’s primary medium sieves tiny morsels sizing within the twenty-five to thirty microns.
While its secondary medium nets, the smaller ones are ranging from five to ten microns in size.
These impurities are held within the filter’s retainer, keeping them away from the refined oil that flows within the entire vehicle.
It also holds the contaminants preventing them from entering the vehicle’s engine.
Being Familiar With The Different Types Of Oil Filters
Oil filters come in different varieties, and being familiar with them will also give you an idea of what is the best filter for your vehicle.
In this section, you’ll learn about the six oil filter varieties and describe each of them, allowing you to understand how they are different from each other.
With this information, you will be able to determine what type of filter suits your needs, increasing your chances to get the ideal oil filter for your car.
1. Mechanical Type Of Oil Filter
This oil filter variety is the type that uses bulky filtering mediums like tucked filter papers or cotton wastes for straining the impurities.
With mechanical filters, the filtered contaminants affect the flow of the refined oil since the build-up of the impurities congests the stream.
This makes this type of filter demanding because it requires maintenance. Its upkeep is either replacing the filtering mediums or the component itself.
2. Spin-On Or Cartridge Type Of Oil Filter
Considered to be the first type of oil filter used in engines, a cartridge filter is a type that features a casing that encloses replaceable filtering mediums. Eventually, the spin-on filter design was released.
Both spin-on and cartridge design of the oil filter highlights the self-contained casing with replaceable components inside.
This oil filter type is more convenient to use and longer-lasting.
Filters like these vary in a lot of ways. From the style, material composition all the way to how they are fabricated.
These filters are also made from synthetic materials since these materials are known to be longer-lasting and more effective than the conventional materials.
3. Magnetic Type Of Oil Filter
A magnetic oil filter is the type of filter that, as the name suggests, uses magnets or electromagnets to prevent ferromagnetic impurities from joining the oil stream in the engine.
It is beneficial to use this type of filter because it is very convenient, where you will only clean the surface of the magnets to get rid of the collected impurities.
However, this type of filter may also cause some issues due to its magnetic properties.
4. Sedimentation Type Of Oil Filter
Also known as the “gravity bed” oil filter, a sedimentation oil filter is a type that relies on gravity to do the filtration process.
It is a type of filter that suspends the impurities denser than the engine oil at the bottom of the container. It is a pretty simple filter that lets science do the work.
5. Centrifugal Type Of Oil Filter
Same as the sedimentation variety of oil filter, a centrifugal oil filter also relies on science to keep impurities from mixing with the engine oil.
However, instead of letting gravity do the job, this oil filter type uses centrifugal force to keep the impurities in the oil stream.
This works by letting the pressurized oil through the filter’s casing, which encloses a drum rotor and two jet nozzles.
When the flow of the engine oil settles within the inner casing of the filter, this causes the drum rotor to rotate.
This allows the engine oil to sift through the bottom of the casing, leaving the impurities within the inner housing.
The entire filtration process makes this type of filter a bit demanding with regards to maintenance.
Since the filter should be cleaned regularly, otherwise the thick build-up of impurities will prevent the drum rotor from rotating.
When this happens, the contaminants will slowly force their way to the oil stream.
6. High-Efficiency (HE) Type Of Oil Filter
A high-efficiency oil filter is considered to be a bypass filter designed to allow longer intervals of oil drain.
With a typical pore size measuring three micrometers, this oil filter type reduces the wear of the engine caused by a consistent filtration process.
This extends the engine’s life and boosts its performance.
3 Most Common Filter Types
Apart from the six types of filters, discussed earlier. There are also three more filter types that you have to understand; primary, secondary, and magnetic.
Since the magnetic type was already described, let’s focus on the remaining two.
- Primary Oil Filters: These filters are commonly used in engines; they are designed to filter large volumes of engine oil with limited restrictions.
These filters are engineered to ensure a smooth oil stream even in cold temperatures, boosting the vehicle’s performance.
Primary oil filters are also built with bypass valves that allow it to bypass the oil stream and lubricate the engine when the filters get clogged. - Secondary Oil Filters: On the other hand, these filters are commonly used in diesel engine vehicles.
Secondary filters are engineered to get large volumes of engine oil pass through a secondary filter for a more refining process.
These filters are also used in vehicles with gasoline engines as they can filter more effectively, reducing the wear and tear on the engine. - Magnetic Oil Filters: The third and final type of oil filter is the magnetic variation that features a clever engineering design.
Magnetic filters use the ability of magnets to attract any metallic contaminants that may saturate the motor oil.
As mentioned earlier, they are designed to keep ferromagnetic impurities from joining the flow of motor oil throughout the engine.
3 Tips In Choosing The Right Oil Filter For Your Vehicle
To further increase your success rate of getting a good oil filter that is right for your car, here are a few tips from some car experts.
Keeping these tips in mind will not only increase the chance of getting the right one but will also help you get the best deal that you can get.
Tip 1: Get To Know The Different Types Of Oil Filters
As you learned from the prior sections, oil filters come in different types. Each type of oil filter has its own quality that may or may not be beneficial to your car.
By being familiar with each type of oil filter, it will be a lot easier to identify the right filter that your car needs.
If you haven’t read the section where each type of oil filter is discussed, make sure to look for the section above.
Tip 2: Determine The Correct Oil Filter Size For Your Vehicle
If you noticed on the list of the best brand of oil filters available today, most of them would highlight a downside where they don’t fit various vehicle models.
That is why identifying the correct size of the oil filter that will fit your vehicle is very important prior to buying the part.
Going to the market, knowing the right size of the oil filter will not only save you a lot of time, but it will also save you money.
Tip 3: Carefully Analyze The Potential Oil Filters On Your List
A lot of drivers think that the ability of an oil filter depends on the number of components the filter has. This is not true!
A filter’s filtering capabilities depends on several factors; one of them is the type of the filtering medium the filter has.
Then you also have to think that the effectiveness of an oil filter is also affected by its capacity since the amount of impurities the filter can hold, the longer it will last.
So, to make it simple, when choosing an oil filter for your car.
You have to understand the type of the filter’s medium of filtration at the same time you also have to consider the amount of pleats the filter has.
The more pleats a filter has, the more contaminants it can hold.
Conclusion
There you go! You are now ready to look for the best oil filter that will perfectly suit your car’s needs.
You already equipped yourself with the important information you have to learn about oil filters.
Additionally, you have a few helpful tips to guide you in search. So, make sure to use the valuable information you have, and good luck in your search.