British Columbia MR2 Owners Group

I am not a Filter Expert. This is just visual. This is for you to decide which is best. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did...

FRAM Extra Guard Filter VS TOYOTA Denso Filter

PRICE:
Fram Extra Guard: $5.98 + .50 cent echo fee (From Walmart)
Toyota OEM filter: $6.99 echo fee included (From any Toyota dealership)

Exterior: (before cutting)

Dimensions:
Width is the same. Toyota filter is 1/8 of an inch taller, sitting at 3.5 inches tall.

Pre-Lubed seal:
Fram: NO
Toyota: Yes

Sealed bottom:
Fram: NO
Toyota: Yes

Interior: (after cutting)

Anti Drain back Valve:
Fram: Yes
Toyota: Yes

Filter material: (visual I am not a filter expert)

Fram: Feels and looks like folded paper. At each end of the filter (base of the filter), there are two pieces of what seemed to be like normal day to day cardboard cut outs. The hole thing is glued together. (you will see in the pictures provided)

Toyota: Feels more like Fabric than paper and folded as well. Unlike the Fram's cardboard setup, Toyota filter is held together by clear plastics that look to be hot pressed into the filter base at each end.

I tried pulling the cardboard off the Fram filter and it did tear off quite easy. Then I tried pulling the clear plastic base off the Toyota filter and I bent my nail. It hurt!

Filter Height:
Fram: 2.5 inches or 6.2cm
Toyota: 3.0 inches or 7.5 cm

Number of folds of the filter:
Fram: 39 folds
Toyota: 44 folds

Valve structure:
Fram: Metal and plastic
Toyota: Metal and plastic

Pictures:




















Please stay put as i am planning on doing the same test on few other brand name filters. And thank you for reading my experiment.

Fram Tough Guard
Purolator Pure 1
Ac Delco Filters
Beck Arnley Parts

Thats everything else easily accessible, off the top of my head. I'd imagine most would be better than your average Fram, the Beck Arnley I'm not too sure about though.

I sell Fram filters every day, and feel guilty about it. I know they're junk (well, good enough for average cars)... Most people don't though.


I support further testing! and this thread in general.

Thanks for taking the time to do this Matt! ...... I have been using FRAM for quite some time

I imagine the Denso filter from Altrom would be similar to OEM.
What are your thoughts Matt?

I just wanted to see it for myself. As I always said in the past that Fram sucks, but I had nothing to based it on. All I know about Fram was what I heard from others. So like I said I wanted to see it for myself and share with everyone else.

I am not here to take sides with anyone or prove anyone is right or wrong. I just wanted everyone including myself to decide for themselves. Obviously my experiment was just visual and more test can be done, like a flow and pressure test. But after seeing what we all saw in those pictures, I don't need to see results of any other tests. It is clear that the OEM filter is much better made filter. As far as filtration quality goes. I am willing to bet that Toyota Filter is better too, due to the feel and looks of the materials that these filters are made of.

I will be doing tests on all major brands of filter. So stay put. More to come!

I believe Denso makes the OEM filters... I may have read that somewhere in my travels... But don't hold me to it.

Saiko wrote::o Thanks for taking the time to do this Matt! ...... I have been using FRAM for quite some time

shame on you they call it the orange death cap for a reason

David_K wrote:I believe Denso makes the OEM filters... I may have read that somewhere in my travels... But don't hold me to it.

Yes, Toyota filters are made by Denso, the company so great!!! You can see the Denso print on the oil filter pictures.

Thanks for the experiment; I look forward to future tests.

Are they stilled referred as Nippon Denso?

Just from your info you gathered and I myself is not an expert, but toyota OEM is superior from what I see.

Thanks for this test!!!

OK i have my Mr.T hat on now..... Always use OEM parts including filters if available... I even order OEM replacement bolts when i can

what about Hastings filters?

I work at Great Canadian Oil Change and we use hastings

KyleMR2 wrote:what about Hastings filters?

I work at Great Canadian Oil Change and we use hastings

What do you guys charge for an oil change out of curiosity?

drscam wrote:

KyleMR2 wrote:what about Hastings filters?

I work at Great Canadian Oil Change and we use hastings

What do you guys charge for an oil change out of curiosity?

$39.99 for Petro Canada 5w30 and 10w30

$41.99 for Petro Canada other weights

$59.99+ (i think) for semi-synthetic

$74.99+ for full synthetic

oil change includes oil, oil filter, washer fluid, greasing of suspension grease fittings. many inspection checks including driveline, fuel filter, ect. ect.