Fram has downgraded their Ultra Synthetic oil filter media support from metal to plastic.

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TheStarsMist@reddit

I never cared for fram a decade ago.

It's a shame they're introducing more plastics like all the others.

To me, nothing about plastic is considered premium regarding automotive engine bays.

<not witholding certain components that are not highly heat cycled like intakes and decorative covers. We have to accept those things.

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Gunch_@reddit

Sir, intakes are certainly heat-cycled. May not be in the hundreds of degrees but they still get plenty hot and then plenty cold when sitting.

Aside from that, I agree entirely!

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nayrlladnar@reddit

From where did you buy the "new" oil filter?

I don't know if knock-off oil filters are a thing, but the "new" one looks a bit sus. The exterior print quality is much lower than on the "old" filter. It also appears to be slightly shorter.

Again, I don't know. Maybe these are legitimate changes Fram has made but it looks fishy to me.

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jtbis@reddit

Knock-off oil filters are absolutely a thing on Amazon.

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Lucky_Goal1443@reddit

Yes. Buy from auto parts stores or parts geek etc.

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EL_Chapo_Cuzzin@reddit

Always inspect the painted label on the filter. These counterfeiters don't know how to spell.

I would only buy Purolator One. It's one of those that you don't hear being fake like Bosch or OEM. NGK Iridium spark plugs are heavy counterfeit. The washer on real NGK can't be spun off, from what I've read. Both of my cars uses NGK Iridium, I would only buy them from RockAuto from now on.

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Kopi_O_Coffee@reddit (OP)

Canadian Tire!

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methlabz@reddit

Ive heard if you buy Michelin tires (for example) at Canadian Tire versus directly from Michelin, the tire compound is not quite the same. Guess which one's shittier? Same with chocolates at the Dollar Store versus a proper grocery store.

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Lucky_Goal1443@reddit

Untrue 100%.

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justinr666@reddit

Not sure where you heard that rumor from, but that is not at all the case.

A Michelin defender 2, with the same SKU # will be the same tire if it's from Canadian Tire, Costco, or the dealership, or directly through Michelin themselves.

Canadian Tire is absolutely known for having exclusive models of tires that various manufacturers make for them. I.e the old Goodyear Nordic and Nordic winter tires were made by Goodyear exclusively for Canadian Tire and no where else could get them.

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Yardsale420@reddit

Someone could have bought and returned. CT is bad for that.

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LittleFoot-LongNeck@reddit

The shop is buying their oil filters in bulk from Amazon and they are probably fakes

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IMxReaDY@reddit

Nah, they are legit. I bought one just like that at Walmart over here in the states. My understanding is that Champ labs owns fram and they consolidating some of the filters designs across their brands. Ultra filters have gone down in quality since the buyout. Doesn’t help that the endurance line is more expensive and it’s not even on par with what the Original ultra was.

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SwayingTreeGT@reddit

Canadian Tire is one of Canadas biggest automotive/big box/home improvement stores. They’re definitely buying filters on Amazon and reselling.

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shatter321@reddit

Also could have been a covid filter. MFGs were doing anything to keep stock during the supply chain crisis. Lots of oil filters got contracted out to no name Chinese factories between 2020-2023. Not sure if Fram did it specifically but I know Wix/Mann did and pretty much every private label filter did.

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BigPimpin91@reddit

The textured finish was applied crooked as well.

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Alphalenybudy71@reddit

Fram has always been bottom of the ladder as far as quality is concerned stop buying their products. You want a good filter go wix. Wix makes filters for literally ever single thing on this planet that needs filters. They are the best in my opinion and there's hardly any price difference at all

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Throwaway564116@reddit

No, that's boomer wives tales. There's data on it. The lower line is junk. The top stuff has tested extremely well. \~99.96% @ 20 µm first pass

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slayer1991@reddit

Ultra Synthetic or higher were always well reviewed for their metal construction and filtering performance.

Do watch out for Wix, they got bought out too (don't remember which company) and started doing the same thing with lowering the quality of non XP filters...

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Luthiffer@reddit

they got bought out too... ...and started doing the same thing with lowering the quality

That's just the way of the world at this point. Lower quality, more expensive. Car parts have felt this for a decade at least.

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Lucky_Goal1443@reddit

Fram Ultra is light yrs better than any WIX in efficiency & equal in build quality. Absolutely facts. Not my opinion. Use w/ full confidence. It's 2025 not 1995!

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Lucky_Goal1443@reddit

Absolutely truth. Fram Ultra & Fram Endurance are prob the best efficiency filters in the extended use- Top Tier category by far. Well built as well. Not opinion. Facts.

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Lucky_Goal1443@reddit

Absolutely not..only there cheaper filters an even those blow away OEMs on efficiency etc. Facts.

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shatter321@reddit

Wix has been bad since the Mann Hummel acquisition. QC went off a cliff.

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Traquer@reddit

OEM all day long. I never understood why people even buy aftermarket stuff.. It's not that much more.

Only time to buy aftermarket is if you're a flipper I guess.

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Bettez88@reddit

Oem Honda is Fram

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super_starfox@reddit

I'm sure it's "fine", but the enshittification continues. I'll check my Wix XP filters I've got at home, but they've always been reliable in my experience. I think FRAM hasnt been what it was ages ago for quite some time.

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UnLuckyKenTucky@reddit

Fram has never been worth a damn. Why risk a 10k&+ engine, over a 10 dollar filter?

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Lucky_Goal1443@reddit

Social media lies & misinformation.

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UnLuckyKenTucky@reddit

No,not at all. No bypass. Shit filter material, and all for what, to save 5 bucks? Ignorance thy name is Fram.

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Lucky_Goal1443@reddit

It's far better now in fact esp Fram Ultra & Fram Endurance. Not opinion scientific fact. Efficiency ratings are outstanding as is build quality.

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Apexnanoman@reddit

Yeah, the wix XP is what I've been running for a long time.

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nothingaboutme@reddit

I have never had a "plastic", which is really fiber reinforced nylon, component fail. IMO, it's actually less likely to cause an issue because it poses less of a restriction than a perforated metal tube and isn't likely to let metal shards loose in the oiling system. I've also taken apart filters with metal tubes to find questionable metal barbs on the end where a machine perforated the tube.

Ultimately I don't care if the inner tube is metal or plastic as long as the filter brand has good quality control.

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metajames@reddit

agree, I think it's a upgrade for better flow, metal dose not automatically mean better. The composite material can break down over time and become brittle but that's over 100,000+ miles not 3,000-5,000 miles that the filter is installed for. Most european engines that have switched to cartridge style filters are all composite now also, never had a problem.

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Lucky_Goal1443@reddit

Exactly 💯 Fram Ultra & Fram Endurance are 2 of best in top tier extended range filter class. Tested facts not my opinion.

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Lucky_Goal1443@reddit

Inner core of Fram Ultra is metal. The part that holds media is plastic thus allowing MORE filter media. That's a plus. Use w/ confidence. Fram Ultra & Fram Endurance are outstanding in every way. Not my option. Tested facts.

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vipercrazy@reddit

Denso filters have great build quality, the non Toyota labeled denso filters look very cheap from the outside but have the same high build quality the Toyota ones have, and they are very affordable.

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Lucky_Goal1443@reddit

This is social media wannabe scientist explanations. They didn't remove the metal inner core they removed a part that technically impacted filter media thus newer models have more synthetic media surface area - a very good thing! Tons have been pulled apart showing Zero tears or issues . Ppl that avoid this EXCELLENT filter at its $9 price for top tier - top notch efficiency filter are selling themselves short. 99%+ efficiency @20 microns beats MANY other top tier filters like Mobil1, WIX XP, Purolator Boss etc. There is even a step above (marginal as Fram Ultra is outstanding all around) the Fram Endurance or Fram Titanium. Difference is 25k mis max vs 20k mis thus bit heavier duty. Most of us aren't coming close to maxing out any extended use filters. The OEMs by ALL automakers don't come near aftermarket top tier filters. Motorcraft (OEM) are some of better ones but still can't beat top tier aftermarket like Fram Ultra or Fram Endurance, Amsoil EA, Royal Purple etc in the 20micron efficiency range. Facts.

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Bettez88@reddit

Not a counterfeit filter. Fram bought out champ labs. that’s their design just like the acdelco filters. Nothing wrong with it

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TijayesPJs442@reddit

Why would this be a downgrade? Plastic doesn’t create metal shavings right?

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getoffmyprawns@reddit

Neither does a filter no matter what it's made of haha.

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CarlyRJ@reddit

I just changed my oil and found the same thing. I pulled it off after installing it inspecting my old filter and the gasket came off. I've noticed its taller and the hole pattern is different aswell. I also bought it from Canadian tire. 2 months later have you noticed any issues?

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thepunzer385@reddit

This is 100% real and the downgrade happened sometime earlier this year one of the things I immediately noticed was how much lighter the filter felt so I started inspecting and noticed cheaper and crooked textured grip crooked and cheaper looking print on the filter and for the worst offender was the plastic cage on the inside and even the endcap looked different I used the filter cause I already bought it but I will be looking for alternatives such a shame cause fram ultra synthetic was actually a good filter

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CheekyGoose@reddit

I do remember my most recent Ultra Synthetic having this plastic cage inside of it. I didn't see a problem with it personally, because it's only got to last a year AT THE MOST, and injection molded plastic is pretty consistent, in terms of manufacturing, but I would like to know if this is a significant downgrade on this filter. I have noticed that the price has also gone up by around 2 dollars on Amazon and at Walmart since I last purchased one.

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trdtacomapro@reddit

Another day and another day of fram continuing to impress with their dog shit.
It's easier just to get a decent filter than ever use a fram(even their XG line)

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nessism1@reddit

First Brands bought Fram a few years back, and quality has slipped recently as they have consolidated product lines. The old version XG Fram filters, 1.5 years ago, were some of the best on the market. People saying otherwise don't know what they are talking about.

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Thirtiethone@reddit

You are comparing bottom of the line fram to top of the line fram. They did not change them, you bought a lower quality fram filter.

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Raz31337@reddit

Don't buy car parts from Canadian Tire. And don't buy Fram oil filters. Get a nice OEM oil filter, they are always better.

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Entire-Volume4845@reddit

I just looked at one that I bought recently and it is metal. Maybe you got a knockoff?

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Vinyl_Purest@reddit

Send a letter (email if you must) to Fram directly. Give them an opportunity to respond.

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Raptr117@reddit

This is why I buy the OEM filter from the dealer, it’s about the same price and guaranteed to be what the engine prefers.

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TimeSlaved@reddit

Champion labs has been doing this for a while now (I buy the motomaster OE+ filters which are made by Champion, and now it's likely that they're making the Fram Ultra Synthetic too based off this photo). Personally, I don't have any issue with it yet but I would have greater peace of mind with a metal cage.

Anything with a similar code to Fram is likely using the same manufacturer/design now (my Fit uses a Motomaster OE+ MOPH7317 = Fram XG7317 = Castrol CAS7317; Motomaster Red MPH7317 = Fram PH7317 = Certified CPH7317.

I think WIX/Napa Gold is still using the metal tube and so is Mobil1. But the price is basically twice as much.

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1989toy4wd@reddit

People still use fram oil filters? OEM aren’t even that expensive. How cheap are people trying to be?

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CogBlocker@reddit

People still buy Fram??? I wouldn’t put a fram filter on my lawnmower

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blustrkr@reddit

I've never even used Fram. I only look for Wix and Mobil-1.

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undapanda@reddit

You clowns know that the important part in the filter is the paper right?

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PenguinsAndTopHats@reddit

About 2-3 years ago my tire shop switched contracts for bulk quantities of oil filters from Valvoline to Fram "bc it was cheaper". The boxes were noticeably much lighter and no longer was each filter individually sealed/pre-lubed around the gaskets. Some big shot in a suit must have saved Fram so much money.

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Bowel_Rupture@reddit

Here's a YouTube video testing different oil filters If you skip to 10:12 in the video, then you can see the overall table/ranking for all of the oil filters they've tested over time.

TLDR: I use Purolator Boss oil filters thanks to the above video, and Amsoil Signature oil thanks to Project Farm and have been satisfied with both with about 50k miles of use for both so far (I change both the oil and filter every 5000-7500 miles)

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Mitt102486@reddit

Fram endurance came in second but everyone here is acting like it should be dead last

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curly686@reddit

I'll help you out. Buy from literally any other oil filter manufacturer. Fram is literally the only company that makes a filter that ive seen try to circulate in an oil system and blown up motors. The filter media was in excellent shape in every case i saw and chunks just fell off from the filter media.

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Clegko@reddit

Who gives a shit? Millions and millions of cars are motoring on with the cheapest possible jobber oil filters and bulk oil in them and they don't appear to be suffering.

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FeastOfTheUnicorn@reddit

Dude, like how much money per km do you really save buying a Fram filter over OEM?

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Subieworx@reddit

No because I don’t use fram filters.

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carguy31@reddit

I think they mean the outer "tube" is metal. Just because the inner lining is plastic doesn't mean it's inferior.

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TactualTransAm@reddit

They have a new tier of filter, it's dark blue. And more expensive than the gold ones. I bet that is metal. They probably just shifted their product lines down a notch and put this new blue one at the top

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schwidley@reddit

Fram has always sucked. No surprise they're getting worse.

Back when I sold parts 20 years ago, they held their cheap filters together with cardboard.

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HeadOfMax@reddit

Gonna have to check the Honda OEM ones I always buy

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KebabRacer69@reddit

You're joking right? Better filter brands than Fram are using plastic with no problems.

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Kopi_O_Coffee@reddit (OP)

No I'm not joking because I'm allowed to have a preference :)

What unfortunately isn't a joke is I paid for something that was advertised to have a feature I preferred (metal internal housing) and the product I received did not reflect that; that's a fact.

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Wierd657@reddit

So return it

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Kopi_O_Coffee@reddit (OP)

You must get paid much more than me! I never would have been able to come up with such a brilliant solution, thanks! :)

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System0verlord@reddit

If you wanted advice instead of to yell at clouds, you could also replace it with a Wix filter because they’re the gold standard for filters, instead of another Fram

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KebabRacer69@reddit

The filter media is paper and you're worrying about whether plastic can take hot oil. It's fine.

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Solid_Enthusiasm550@reddit

It's better than the cardboard they used to use. Once, I cut one of their filters apart and saw that... I won't buy any product from them.

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Plenty-Industries@reddit

The oil filter in my BMW's are completely made of glued together plastic and paper, as a cartridge. And I dont even use OEM BMW filters, I use either Bosch or Mobil 1.

my 335is has about 98k miles on it, and my X3M has about 30k miles. Never has there been an issue.

being this pedantic about a relatively innocuous change that is more than likely inconsequential is quite a reach.

I've always known Fram filters to be the very low-end of filters.

The photos you show of new vs old, you have have been given a counterfeit filter because the printing on the new one is really poor quality and the grip material is uneven.

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