This is going to sound like a stupid question, and this is my first car so cut me some slack...

My father has always said to buy the mid grade Fram filter and replace it with every oil change, which I do every 5,000 miles. I've done this for a year now, but I have always wondered if I'm supposed to change the filter on every oil change, then why do the filters say they can go for much longer? In fact the Fram I have in there said quite a bit more (15,000 or 25,000 I bought the best I could at walmart earlier this summer).

So here is the stupid question that is going to likely get me shot on here, do I really have to change to filter, or can I wait until it reaches its stated mile mark?

 

You should change your oil filter every time you change your oil.i usually change mine every 3000 miles(which is a bit overkill, but I do alot of offroading- and dirt road driving)

Changing your oil and filter every 5000 miles is a very good routine

 

For as little as it costs, and for as much protection as it offers, why not just go ahead and change it every time?
You're already down there changing the oil anyway, so why not go the extra mile and spin that guy off and stick a new one on?
I don't think I ever knew anyone who didn't change the filter every time.

 

Was more or less curious as to why oil filters claim to go for so much farther then just 5,000 if I buy a high end one. And for some reason my filter has a habit of getting stuck on good, I don't even tighten it that much and add a bead of oil around the seal and it still gets stuck on.

I just looked up to confirm, but according to this site from FRAM the filter goes for 20,000 miles, why bother making one this efficient if they know people are just going to throw it out at 5,000? I'm 90% sure this is the filter I currently have. I'm not saying it is bad practice to change the filter every 5,000 miles, just curious as to why if the maker claims they go so much further. They're loosing money with this claim since claiming 5,000 would force people to buy a new one sooner making FRAM for money.

P.S. College Student = College Budget = Save Money EVERYWHERE, this would include $10 for the filter.

 

Mobil makes oil that is supposedly good for 20,000 miles. That doesn't mean I would ever trust that. I wouldn't run it in my vehicle any longer than I would conventional oil.

What you have to ask yourself: am I willing to potentially cost myself the price of a new engine in the long run, to save 10 dollars here and there?

Engine longevity is directly related to routine maintenance. Ever wonder why some engines run 300 thousand miles+ and some barely break 100k?

 

I started using Wix filters when I learned how much better they are than the Fram filters.

But if you are a college student, go with the mid-range Fram at every oil change.

BTW. Where are you getting your oil filters? Fram's go for about $5.00 at the local O'Reilly's.

If you plan to keep your Blazer, you'll be glad you kept up the maintenance on the engine. If there is a deal-breaker for keeping mine, it is if the motor goes bad. I even had my transmission rebuilt because the motor only has 135k miles and everything else is either in good condition or repairable.

Christine

 

Don't get me wrong, I'll likely change the filter just for the sake of changing it. I've just always been curious as to why make a filter that goes for 20,000 miles if 90% of people are going to change it at 5,000.

Our local wal-mart sells the filters for around the $10 mark for mid grade. We get the "you're far away and isolated" bonus charge. Auto stores are even more.

 

I suspect the filter manufacturers say those things as a way to advertise their products. :-)

So here is the recommendation from the Car Talk guys: Replace filter and oil ever 5,000 miles. (https://www.cartalk.com/content/service-your-car-8)

Christine

 

The bottom line is don't believe everything manufacturer's say about their products. It's called marketing hype. 20,000 miles on a Fram filter....... that's a good one! What exactly did they say happens to it at 20,000 miles?


p.s. Fram filters are known to be poor. Wix (NAPA gold) are known to be at the top. http://www.google.ca/url?sa=i&rct=j&...07727048905234

 

If you are changing your oil every 3000 to 5000 miles I would go with the Super Tech Wal-Mart oil filters for $3 or so. They are made by Champion Labs and are fair quality filter. Nothing I would run for 20K but Their drainback valve is good and they don't have a reputation for falling apart like some filters.


I have always been a big believer in keeping fresh oil in a vehicle and change the oil at 3000 miles. This helps a lot if you have small issues that you are unaware of - like a seeping head gasket or intake manifold gasket.