If you are going to use Mobil 1, use a Mobil 1 filter. It's a dual element filter designed for extended drain intervals and is one of the best filters made. For 10 bucks+ it better be.

 

I used a Fram Tough Guard filter this time around. It seems to be pretty decent. Better be - it was double the price.

Also, I've heard synthetic blends are pointless and a complete waste of money. Anyone have any input on that?

 

Fram filters of all kinds are questionable. They have anti-drainback valve issues.

I highly doubt it. The Motorcraft oil is the same price as dino and it's semi-synthetic.

 

Agreed. I ran Fram in everything I owned. When i got this truck, and used fram oil filter, it made a funny noise on start yp (dry start). Switched back over to Motorcraft, and no noise. Also have run wix filters with out any issue.

 

I've run well over a million miles, cumaltive, on three different vehicles with nothing but Fram oil and air filters. NEVER a problem related to using them. Castrol dino oil, too.

I sure wish you guys would quit with the speculation wrt Fram filters. It gets old. And pure heresay.

 

I probably have similar or more miles with Fram. Also, never had a problem, until my ford.

Mine is simply not "heresay" but fact. I used Fram, made a noise on every start up (mine is not a daily driver, so sitting for a week is very common). It was a horrible noise. I had heard about the drain back valve issue. Figured it was BS, but it was time to swap anyway. Went with motorcraft filters. Noise never came back. Next, used a wix filter.... no noise. Then I used some crap brand oil filter (got from one of our parts suppliers) and the noise came back. Went back to motorcraft, again, no noise. I think this is far more then "chance". Take that however you wish.

 

It's not hearsay. Independent tests are out there where oil filters were cut apart and examined. Frams were garbage. Air filters are okay.

 

Have done my own independent test. Personal experience(over 30 years worth) trumps others "opinions". Even those of labworkers.

I'd say 435+ thousand miles on a truck that I still drive 22 years later is really all the proof I need. Never had the desire to cut open any filter. Unecessary mess.

Use what you want, though.



BTW, MT, not doubting ya. Not all Fram filters have the antidrainback valve. In some vehicles, it's not necessary. Choose the correct one.

Anyhoo, if the Motorcraft becomes more expensive than the correct style of Fram for my Ford, I'll switch it to Fram. But until then, it's Motorcraft for the Ford and Fram for my others.

 

Promise ya, I did have the correct filter. I have a couple years under my belt playing with cars as well.

Also, maybe its a newer engine design. I see your driving a '03. Mine is the 04 NBS. Could have something to do with it.

Like ya said, use what you want.

 

I do mobil 1 5w-20 and mobil 1 filter every 5k. Would not even second guess it up to 5k and I am sure you could go 7500 with no problems.

 

I've got the Mobil 15,000 mile oil in my Explorer. I can't wait to see how far it really goes. I'll be checking the dipstick every couple of weeks to see how the oil looks.

 

That's what I use, and it goes 10k and still looks okay. I do use the Mobil 1 filter too. You can't really go by appearance though, just because it looks black doesn't necessarily mean it's shot.

 

I'll be tasting it on the tip of my tongue too. Will that help?

 

only if you swash it around a few times

 

Stick with the Pennzoil Platinum. It's been tested better than Mobil 1 and it's a few bucks cheaper.


With an oil analysis, a lot/most people can run up to 10,000 miles between changes with Group III oil (Mobil 1, Platinum, Motorcraft Syn, ect.).