10 Best Oil Filters for Your Vehicle

Cost: $$$︱Protection: 15,000 miles︱Efficiency: 99%

Royal Purple designed this extended life “premium” oil filter with synthetic “micro-glass” media. It achieves 99% efficiency at 25 microns or larger.

The outer shell is thicker than the competing oil filters for increased durability. Inside, a metal screen backs up and supports the filter media.

Plus, the center tube design prevents filter element collapse. This configuration lets filtered oil flow unrestricted through your engine.

As with most quality oil filters, you also find a silicone anti-drainback. The material chosen is long lasting and the valve is important to keep dirty oil out of your engine. But it also prevents dry starts.

You can achieve an extended life as the name implies. Royal Purple does not state a dirt holding capacity for this filter. But they do warrant the filter for 15,000 miles when you use synthetic oil.

The gasket is made with a specific nitrile rubber. It has a special lubricity and reduces the force needed during installation for easy on and off. But it also makes for a long lasting, tight seal to your engine block.

To get a “premium” product, you normally have to pay a little more. This product is no exception to that rule. But you do get a well-built filter with a quality filter element inside.

Cost: $$︱Protection: 1 year or 20,000 miles︱Efficiency: 99.6%︱Dirt Capacity: 28 grams

When you think of brand names associated with gasoline and oil, Mobile will probably be one of them. So to no one’s surprise, Mobile also makes oil filters.

This particular filter owns some impressive performance stats. A 99.6% efficiency means great oil filtering. Plus, the filter can hold up to 28 grams of filtered dirt and debris. Twice the amount of some competitors.

You can also choose to use synthetic or conventional oil. In fact, Mobile makes a broad statement. They say this extended performance filter works with ALL oil types and brands.

Mobile also notes that the canister can withstand 9X the normal operating pressure. In other words, it has a strong housing.

A nitrile gasket prevents leaks and allows for easy on and off. It is also selected to provide the extended performance needed for a high mileage filter.

With a strong set of performance specs, and a good brand name, you would expect this oil filter to be expensive. But it is competitively priced and you get a lot of oil filter for the money.

Cost: $$︱Protection: 10,000 miles︱Efficiency: 99%︱Dirt Capacity: 15 grams

PurolatorONE’s rugged design makes a good filter for those who push their cars. You can also use conventional or synthetic oil. Plus, it is rated for city and highway driving, as well as towing. (For heavy towing, you want to step up to the PurolatorBOSS filter.)

The Blue PuroltorONE filter gives you 10,000 miles of protection. Purolator also claims a 99% dirt removal efficiency.

The construction incorporates high density media to remove contaminants. It also features a silicone anti-backflow valve to prevent oil leaks and dry starts. For a tight seal to the engine, a PTFE gasket makes for easy on and off and lasts a long time, too.

The internal end caps are metal. These are stable and solid to provide improved durability.

For the price, you get a well-designed and rugged filter built to protect your engine. The mileage rating is lower than some other filters and you may need to change this filter more often.

Cost: $$︱Protection: 24 month︱Efficiency: 98%

ACDelco is the OEM oil filter found on GM cars. But they also make oil filters for all makes and models.

They start with a strong shell designed to be burst resistant. Even after the oil reaches operating temperature.

The filter media traps particles down to 25 microns. That is about ⅓ the thickness of a human hair.

A nylon center tube is welded to the end plates. This arrangement supports and protects the filter media. This also eliminates the adhesive blocking of filter media found in competing oil filters. That means more filter area.

ACDelco did not publish a dirt capacity. But they do warrant this oil filter for 24 months, with an unlimited mileage. That is a strong guarantee.

So, if you want a solid filter with a long warranty, this product may be your best choice.

Cost: $︱Efficiency: 93%︱Dirt Capacity: 12 grams

Motorcraft is another well-known brand name, and for good reason. They are the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury. So, the filters must filter out carbon, sand, dust, and metal to meet performance standards.

But they also make filters for all makes of cars. And that starts with a steel case machined for a proper fit. The end is also fluted for a good grip during installation and removal. Plus, a coating provides corrosion protection to the housing.

Inside, there is more than just the filter media with well-bonded end caps. There is also a pressure relief valve. This maintains oil flow in extreme cold, or when the filter gets clogged. Plus, it keeps dirty oil from draining back into your engine.

All the materials used have superior heat resistance. Engines do get hot, and this extends the life of the filter. The silicone anti-drainback valve is a good example of this feature.

While this is not the most efficient filter on our list, it is inexpensive. You get a well-built, affordable filter that will definitely qualify as a best buy for many drivers.

Cost: $$︱Efficiency: 99.8%︱Dirt Capacity: 14 grams

Bosch is a well-known brand for auto parts, including oil filters. Their Filtech filter media is made from natural and synthetic materials. This provides improved oil filtering and that means better mileage with less engine wear.

One of the most noticeable features is the available filter media area. It is 42 percent larger in size compared to conventional filters and 30 percent thicker. That means better filtering.

Bosch recommends the use of Castrol motor oil. However, they also note you should use the oil recommended by your car manufacturer.

The steel housing and base plate make for a solid, warp resistant design. It also helps to prevent oil leaks.

A silicone anti-backdrain valve makes sure you have plenty of clean oil for your engine on startups. It also is durable.

The nitrile gasket allows for easy on and off. It also provides a long lasting, tight seal to the engine housing.

If you buy this filter, you get a quality filter from a reputable manufacturer. And at a reasonable price.

Cost: $$︱Protection: 12 month︱Efficiency: 99%

K&N built a strong brand name and is well-known by automotive racers. This oil filter comes with that pedigree at a reasonable price. And it is available in versions to fit just about any street car.

For starters, the filter media is designed for high oil flow rates. Keeping plenty of fresh, clean oil coursing through your engine prolongs its life.

This filter will work with synthetic, conventional, and blended motor oils. Plus, automobile manufacturers have upped the time between oil changes for newer cars. But not a problem for this filter, it handles the longer stretches between oil changes.

Some of the racing heritage shows in the heavy duty shell. You will also notice a “lug” on the top that allows you to install and remove the filter with an open-ended wrench. No oil filter wrench needed.

Also, you will see a hole in the side of the lug. That is for a safety wire, required when you are racing.

With a 12 month warranty, this is a good choice for those who want performance at a reasonable price. Or maybe, you just want to feel connected to your favorite race driver.

Cost: $︱Protection: Change per engine manufacturer’s recommendation

You will spot a Wix decal on many race cars. But if you are not logging laps on the track, they also make a fine filter for your over-the-road vehicles.

This particular spin-on filter touts increased dirt capacity. But they did not publish an actual dirt hold capacity like some of the other manufacturers.

Wix did publish the amount of oil flow and it comes in at 7-9 gallons per minute (“gpm”). Also, the filter media catches particles down to 21 microns.

A rugged shell boasts a 275 psi burst pressure. The specifications did also note that the bypass valve kicks in around 8-11 psi.

They recommend you change your Wix filters per the auto manufacturer recommendations. They do not state a recommended mileage, or months, for their filter.

While WIX touts the test data, users also like this filter for its no nonsense performance. It does its job consistently and has earned a number of fans.

One special note, you may need a special cap wrench to install and remove this product. The top is domed and makes it difficult for some to remove.

Cost: $︱Protection: 10,000︱Efficiency: 99%

Fram has manufactured filters since 1932. It is a well-known name and has a good reputation for making consistent quality oil filters.

This Tough Guard filter continues the company’s heritage. You get 10,000 miles of coverage when using conventional or semi-synthetic oil.

Plus, Fram clearly states that the filter is intended for drivers who push their vehicles. Stop and go driving or towing, no problem. This filter is also meant for use in extreme weather.

A silicone anti-drainback valve prevents dry starts. It does so by keeping a reserve of fresh oil in the filter for when you crank the starter.

The black anti-slip texture on the shell makes for the most unique aspect of this filter. It allows you to securely grip it and makes for quick and easy oil filter changes.

In summary, this is a choice from a manufacturer that only makes filters at a competitive price. If you live in areas with extreme weather or drive aggressively, this oil filter may fit your needs.

Cost: $$︱Protection: per engine manufacturer’s instructions︱Efficiency: “Efficient”︱Dirt Capacity: “High”

You may not have heard of Mann filters before. But if you have a German car the odds are better that you do know them. Mann produced filters for the past 65 years and are used by many German auto manufacturers, such as Volkswagen.

To state the obvious, Germans are known for their solid designs and attention to detail. These Deutschland filters are no exception.

The housing is robust and protected against corrosion. Plus, the shell design provides pressure stability and high pulsation.

Inside, they use a durable filter media and seal rings. Mann is a bit secretive and only says the filter is long lasting and has a large dirt capacity. While there are no test results to back this up, this filter does have many loyal customers.

Also, they do say the filter media is “efficient” and the dirt capacity is “high.” They also claim to filter finer particles than other filters with minimal pressure drop. It would be nice to have data to back that up.

But they do tailor each filter for individual cars/engines to auto the manufacturer specifications. So, every filter model has unique performance data.

Also, they do go out of their way to mention you need to follow your car manufacturer instructions on oil and filter changes.

A silicone anti-drainback valve is used to prevent dry starts. In addition, a PTFE coated bypass valve is included. Interestingly, Mann states that each bypass valve is optimized to the engine/vehicle model it is made for; no one size fits all bypass in their products.

The German engineering and attention to detail show in the customized nature of each filter they make. You will pay a little more for this filter, but it is competitively priced for a well-designed import that is made to meet your car’s specifications.