Oil Filter and Oil Brand

It's about time to change the oil on my 2007 Dodge Caliber. I've always used synthetic. I had it done at the dealer or Mobil 1 for awhile and then I started to do it myself. I'm just trying to take care of it because I want to keep it for a long time.

My question is about the oil filter. The last two times I have used a Fram, but I did some research online and found a lot of negative information on Fram filters. Does anyone have some suggestions on a good oil filter? I've heard good things about Mobil 1, but they are rather expensive.

My second question is I usually use Mobil 1 synthetic 5w20. However, I have been unable to find it. I heard due to hurricane Ike it may not be available till January. Does anyone know any other synthetics that are good? I know Q makes 5w20 and I believe Pennzoil does as well.

 

I've used Fram plenty of times without problems. I now use Mobil 1 filter and oil.

You can swap to 5W-30 instead of 20.

 

when buying filters and oil or any thing for that matter you get what you pay for. oh and never never use pennzoil oil its crap oil. mobile or valvoline are good oil.

 

Danh is right you usually get what you pay for. I have seen several pennzoil only engines that the inside of the valve covers was totally full of a waxy build up that had almost plugged off the drains back to the oil pan, i also have seen engines that used fram filters have lifter rattle temporarily fixed by just changing to a less restrictive filter, it seems that fram filters are restrictive enough that if the engine is loose internally or has a weak oil pump you will have pressure problems.
I use either mobil oil filters or factory" ac/delco/motorcraft/mopar
Murphy was an optimist

 

Going from 5w-20 to 5w-30 MAY drop your gas mileage a bit, from what people have commented on from this site.

I always use Fram, but I may change to a different filter.

One thing I would recommend is priming any filter before you install it. But oil in an oil filter so it is ready to go when you start the car up after an oil change. I try to do the same thing when I change fuel filters also.

 

I used Fram and Pennzoil for years without any problems, although I do change the oil and filter every 3K miles or so. The last several vehicles I have owned have gone well over 100K miles without any internal engine issues. Having said that, I started buying Wix oil filters by the case (3 cars, I go through a lot of oil and filters) and switched to Quaker State because it is more readily available where I live. Synthetics are useful if you run the same oil out to the 7,500 mile intervals often noted in maintenance schedules, or if you run a performance engine with high heat and close tolerances.

 

I have used Pennzoil for about 40 years with no oil related failures. I switched from Quaker State for the reason that speedwrench said, build up in valve covers and intake valley. Most of the parafine based oil used to do that, but the newer oil is a lot better. The synthetic oil is great as long as you don't have a leak. That gets expensive. I use Fram, Motocraft and Delco. However, I've heard that WiX is the best. Just not that available for me. There is a difference in the way that filters are made, but I don't have all the facts.

 

Mobil1 IS the 2nd best filter on the market. the 1st best is not available as it is for Japan only. the other competible filter is K&N.
if 10 bucks is too much for you, didn't they teach it in the 1st grade - you always get what you paid for?

as of oils... friend, wallet is the limit. nothing, but nothing outperforms Amsoil and Royal Purple. well, now, you might say - it's 8 bucks a can. so it is. but when you do 15 000 miles on it easy - it's 5 regular oil changes. do the math.
i'll take it step further, and mention, that i always flush with cheap oil from wallmart. another 6 bucks. but! you drain that used oil, pour in 3 qrts of cheap oil, run that engine for 15 minutes, drain it - and it comes out pitch black. brand spanking new one, mind you. that's all that stuff you left in the filter, - and all that you did not drain from the engine either.
let me take it even further. i put can of seafoam into cranckcase before oil changes, and drive on it for about 500 miles. another 6 bucks. but! oh does it clean the slime and engine away!

 

All that work and extra $$ and how many miles do you have on the vehicle? I had a 92 Bronco with a 5.8L bought new, that I used Mobil 1 and Fram filters. Changed every 5K sold truck at 165000 miles still going strong. The kid that bought it wanted to rebuild the engine, took it out, opened it up and everything was clean, no sludge, the lifters fell right out and weren't dished on the bottoms and the cam looked great, cylinder walls looked great too. Just my $.02 worth.