Tundra Oil Filter Review Rates Wix, OEM Filters Best Overall
Tim Esterdahl | Dec 01, 2011 | Comments 10
When it comes time to change your oil make sure you carefully consider what oil filter you will use. Oil filters can have a dramatic impact on the performance of our engine. Here is a comparison of five different oil filters, with the intention of discovering which filter performed the best for the Toyota Tundra.
UPDATE: This article was supposed to link to the original comparison when it was published, which is found here: Toyota Tundra Oil Filter Comparison
A recent comparison of five oil filters found that the OEM filter was the best overall.
An important distinction between typical car designs and the design for the Tundra is that Toyota employed the usage of a cartridge style filter, which involves a bypass valve, as opposed to a traditional filter which doesn’t utilize a bypass valve. When coupled with the design of the engine, the oil filter that you choose to use inside of your Tundra is likely to have a major impact on your vehicle’s performance.
The filters comparison was based on five criteria points:
- Price
- Filter surface area and size
- Density and thickness of each filter
- Microscopic analysis of each filter
- Observations regarding each filter’s basic properties, such as country of origin and overall quality of production.
The five filters tested were done so in a way that was, by the very nature of the testing environment, both incomplete and relative only to the specific testing methods. This does not mean that the data the test presented should be discounted, though, as it does point out some interesting information. Before dissecting that information, let’s first take a look at which filters were included in the comparison.
1.) WIX
2.) OEM Toyota Filter
3.) Fram ExtraGuard
4.) MicroGard
4.) Fram Standard
The OEM filter, which was selected as one of the top two choices, was the largest of all of the filters tested. This provided the OEM filter with a clear oil flow advantage and that, combined with the price point, enabled it to overcome some design flaws.
The standard Fram filter and the MicroGard filter are identical in design. The test determined that they pick up less contaminants than the other filters, but they are an acceptable option if your oil runs clean.
The Fram ExtraGuard filter was rated as the worst of the bunch. It was found to have an inconsistent design and was the most restrictive to oil flow.
The WIX filter, the 2nd of the top two choices, was the freest flowing of the bunch. It is 50% more expensive than the OEM filter, however, making the OEM filter the best value overall.
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Filed Under: Maintenance Tips
No review of Napa oil filters?
LJC – Nope, but that’s on my list.
Nice article, but I didn’t see any hard facts. I am using Toyota genuine oil filters on my 5.7L Tundra. They seem to be well made, but I have no idea what percentage of <20 micron particles are being filtered out of the engine. Is there any data on this? Which filter allows the best flow with the best filtration? That's what I want to know.
stay away from fram period. Has been and always will be the case unless they come up with something worth using.
For around 5-6 bucks each buying in bulk of 4 at a time at the dealer, why not just stick with OEM from a toyota dealer? Same way with a Honda OEM cycle oil filter for my cycle, but I took the chance this year and got a hi-Flo oil filter who apparently when I read up on makes the K&N oil filter as well but at 1/2 the cost similar around 8 bucks hi flo vs. honda cycle oil filter.
mk–I agree! Fram is horrible, and I don’t like anything from Champion either. Aside from OEM, the Purolater filters also appear very well made and I used them for years before I bought my Tundra with no problems and great longevity of my Toyota engines. With the genuine Toyota filters now so reasonable in price (I can buy in bulk online for about $4.80 a filter and have them delivered to my house) I am now sticking strictly with OEM. The used oil comes out in decent condition after 5K miles. No complaints with the Toyota filters as of yet.
Brian J – My apologies. Somehow, we completely skipped linking to the original comparison (which can be found here: http://parts.olathetoyota.com/.....rison.html)
That’s where you’ll see more data and in-depth analysis.
So fram isn’t worth it. I guess I got to change. With 125k miles on the truck I’ll go with OEM.
Mickey – The basic Fram filter cartridge is fine for the Tundra, I think. It’s just that the OEM filter is similarly priced and clearly bigger. SO, like you said, it’s a great choice.
When it comes time to change your oil make sure you carefully consider what oil filter you will use. Oil filters can have a dramatic impact on the performance of our vehicle’s engine.
yeh agreed…
I think OEM factory filters are probably the best, because they are made specifically for the vehicle you are driving. But, if one is not looking into an OEM one I suggest Bosch if you have a little extra money to spend.