Dear rickjordan:

I do not think Fram oil filters are junk at all. You cannot judge an oil filter brand based on its external appearance (especially spin-on type filters found on virtually on Japanese cars). The important part of a filter is still the filter element inside.

Fram (and Pennzoil) oil filters for Japanese cars are especially cheap ($2-$3 each). My friends and I have used Fram oil (and air) filters on old Japanese cars for a long time without any problem. I even have a friend who has a 1984 Honda Civic with 348 Kmiles (original engine and auto transmission!) and it has just even passed the new California Smog Check II with flying colors! And guess what? He's the type of person who would never spend time to open his car's hood to check for anything. All he has ever done was to buy a Fram oil filter at Kragen at every 5000 Kmiles interval, then bring it to an oil change place and have it change the oil for $11.

He had his car's timing belt and water pump replaced at 160 Kmiles!, and ATF fluid change at 210Kmiles.

I am well aware of the fact that Fram oil/air filters are manufactured anywhere in the world, including India, Turkey, South Korea, Phillippines etc..., but it does not mean that they are bad.

Eric

Eric