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There will come a time when you need to change the oil filter in your vehicle and this Fram Ultra Synthetic Oil Filter review is going to give you all the information you need on this particular product.
Routine maintenance is a necessary part of safely and efficiently running a car. Changing an oil filter is one of the easier jobs and you can do it yourself.
We’ll go over some signs that your oil filter needs to be changed, a few things to consider before buying one, and then we’ll look specifically at the Fram Ultra Synthetic Oil Filter to see how it performs.
Ultra Synthetic is engineered for drivers who require maximum engine protection and use synthetic motor oils for extended 20,000 mile change intervals. This high capacity, high efficiency filter delivers peak performance.
Table of Contents
Signs you need to change your oil filter
Topping up your engine oil is as important as changing your oil filter but how do you know it needs to be done? Luckily there are a few common signs that you should look out for.
Your engine light is on
The main function of an oil filter is to remove contaminants that build up in the oil. It helps to keep your engine clean and in working order.
If it is coming up to the time for your oil filter to be changed, a common sign is that the engine light will be illuminated on your dashboard. This can be to warn you that the oil has become dirty due to contaminants and it is time to change the filter.
Oil is leaking from your vehicle
Another sign that you may need to change your oil filter is because oil is leaking from the vehicle.
There are several reasons why oil might be leaking from your car – including a problem with the exhaust – but a failing oil filter is a common problem. It happens due to your oil filter not being able to adapt properly to temperature changes which causes a burst or split in the system. This can result in oil leaking out and the oil pressure will decrease.
The engine is overheating
Finally, if your engine is overheating then you may need to change your oil filter too.
If your oil filter isn’t properly removing the contaminants from the system this will cause problems with how heat is regulated and conducted in your engine. Your vehicle should be within a normal temperature range of 195°F (90°C) and 220°F (104°C).
If it exceeds this temperature and starts to overheat then your oil filter may very well be the root cause.
Things to consider when buying an oil filter
Find a compatible filter for your vehicle
Like buying anything for your vehicle – whether it is a new exhaust system or tires – you need to ensure that whatever you are purchasing is compatible.
Not every oil filter is going to work with every vehicle out there. While they can look pretty similar, oil filters come in different sizes, shapes and specifications.
Don’t go out and buy the first one you see because even though they aren’t the most expensive bit of maintenance you’ll carry out, you do need one that is compatible with your vehicle.
Choosing the right brand
When you buy car accessories and maintenance products, the brand can be important in terms of the quality you are getting. The most expensive brands don’t always equate to the best performance however some brands will be better than others.
In this review, we are looking at an oil filter from Fram who is well-known in the market but we’ll also touch on other brands in your alternatives section. You shouldn’t base your decision solely on the brand of oil filter but it is another thing to think about.
Consider the efficiency of the filter
This is perhaps the most important part of buying an oil filter – how efficient is it?
Different oil filters will capture more particles than others and will therefore perform better for your vehicle overall. The thing to look out for with oil filter efficiency is microns. A micron is a very small unit of measurement and how efficient all oil filters are is determined by the size of dirt and debris in microns it can remove from the oil.
For example, if an oil filter has a 90% efficiency at 30 microns that means that 90% of dirt and debris of 30 microns and larger will be removed. Debris that is 10 microns and less tend to generate more wear and tear in your vehicle than particles that are bigger than 10 microns.
Fram Ultra Synthetic Oil Filter Review – How Good is This Oil Filter?
So, now you know what to look for when buying an oil filter, how good is the Fram XG7317 Ultra Synthetic Oil Filter?
We’re going to look at it in terms of its efficiency, the brand itself, how easy it is to install, and finally what its overall performance is like.
Ultra Synthetic is engineered for drivers who require maximum engine protection and use synthetic motor oils for extended 20,000 mile change intervals. This high capacity, high efficiency filter delivers peak performance.
Efficiency
The Fram XG7317 Ultra Synthetic Oil Filter offers fairly good efficiency for the price. It isn’t expensive at all and why oil filters themselves aren’t exactly the priciest things you can buy, you aren’t talking a huge amount of money for this product.
It has a 99% efficiency rate for removing dirt and particles that are 20 microns or larger. That is pretty good and it is better than many other oil filters out there. While it will remove certain particles that are 10 microns or less (these are the ones that tend to cause the most damage), that percentage will obviously go down a bit.
Its efficiency is one of the big bonuses of using this oil filter. It beats a lot of the competition when you compare its particle and dirt removal percentage to others in the same price range.
The Brand
Even though we said before that the brand shouldn’t be the only thing you look at when buying an oil filter, it can be quite important. Some really good brands put out bad products sometimes however this isn’t really the case with Fram.
They are a well-known brand when it comes to oil filters and they were actually formed away back in 1932. From there they have continually upgraded their oil filters and been at the front of oil filter technology.
What we are trying to say is that Fram is a very good brand and while this isn’t directly related to the Fram XG7317 Ultra Synthetic Oil Filter, they rarely if ever put out a bad product. You can’t really go wrong with an oil filter made by Fram.
Installation
Installing an oil filter is relatively straightforward and when you compare it to other parts of a vehicle – suspension systems for example – it is one of the easier things to change.
That being said, not every oil filter is simple to install. So, what about the FRAM XG7317?
The good news is that this is very easy to install and remove when it needs to be replaced. It features a grip system which makes it even more straightforward to get a hold of.
The installation process shouldn’t take you very long at all. They have useful installation instructions on their website which takes you through everything step by step. This includes removing the old oil filter right through to checking for leaks afterward. You really can’t go wrong.
Overall performance
This Fram synthetic oil filter offers great performance overall too.
If you are using the right oil with this filter you should expect to get around 20,000 miles out of it before you’ll need to replace it again. Obviously, this mileage and longevity will depend on several factors but between 15k – 20k miles is very reasonable.
As long as you change your oil when you need to and use the right oil as well, you should get a very good performance from this filter. When you consider how much it costs and that it is from a reputable brand, it really is a small amount of money for the peace of mind it gives you.
Pros of Fram Ultra Synthetic Oil Filter
- Performance of between 15k – 20k miles
- 99% efficiency for particles 20 microns and larger
- Will effectively remove some debris that is 10 microns and smaller
- Very easy to install and has a grip system for easy removal
Cons of Fram Ultra Synthetic Oil Filter
- You need to use ultra synthetic oil with this filter
- The durability of packaging could be better
Alternatives to Fram Ultra Synthetic Oil Filter
Motorcraft FL-820-S Oil Filter
An alternative to the Fram oil filter is the Motorcraft FL-820-S Oil Filter which is slightly more expensive but still very cheap and affordable overall. The efficiency of this oil filter is pretty good as well but it isn’t as effective as the Fram model.
The pressure relief valve is a useful addition as it ensures a steady supply of oil even in very cold or warm temperatures when other filters might clog up. These valves also prevent contaminated oil from making its way back into the system as well.
We had a look at the Motorcraft FL-820-S Oil Filter previously and it was a good oil filter then and it still is now. It provides decent efficiency, some handy features such as the pressure relief valve and it is an affordable price too.
The Motorcraft Original Equipment Oil Filter is designed, engineered and recommended by Ford Motor Company. This filter helps protect against engine wear by screening out abrasives, such as carbon, sand, dust and bits of metal before they can get into your oil.
Mobil 1 M1-110 Extended Performance Oil Filter
The Mobil 1 M1-110 Extended Performance Oil Filter is another alternative to the Fram filter which is also a good choice if you want to ensure an efficient and clean vehicle.
It has a 99.6% efficiency rating which means that it will effectively remove a great number of contaminants, dirt and debris that can infiltrate your oil and mess up your car. The actual filter itself has a good capacity and its silicone anti-drain back valve will prevent internal leaking.
You should get a decent amount of mileage from this oil filter. If you are driving a high amount of miles on a regular basis then the Mobil M1-110 is an ideal filter. It works with synthetic oil and installation is pretty easy and straightforward too.
If you want to spend a few extra dollars on an oil filter and your vehicle is compatible with the Mobil M1-110 then it certainly isn’t a bad choice at all.
Durable, heavy-duty filter canister withstands 9X the normal vehicle oil system operating pressure.
FAQs
An oil filter is necessary to the smooth running and operation of your vehicle. It removes contaminants, particles and debris in the oil before they get into your engine. This ensures better efficiency and prevents your engine from becoming clogged or breaking down.
There are several signs that you should look out for that may be an indication that you need to change your oil filter. This includes oil leaking from your vehicle (you will notice this underneath your car), the engine light being illuminated on your dashboard or if your engine is overheating that can also be a sign.
Yes. Oil filter efficiency is determined by the percentage of debris it can remove in relation to the size of the particles that are measured in microns. The Fram Ultra Synthetic Oil Filter has a 99% efficiency rate for removing dirt and particles that are 20 microns or larger.
Yes. Oil filters aren’t difficult to put into your car and even if you haven’t done this before you should be able to install it without help. You will get very clear and straightforward instructions on how to do this and there is also a guide on the product page on the Fram website.
The Fram Ultra Synthetic Oil Filter should last between 15k to 20k miles. This is dependent on a few factors including how you drive and how many miles you drive on a regular basis. You also need to use synthetic oil with this filter but it should last between 15k – 20k miles.
Conclusion – The Fram Ultra Synthetic Oil Filter does everything you want it to at an affordable cost
Ultra Synthetic is engineered for drivers who require maximum engine protection and use synthetic motor oils for extended 20,000 mile change intervals. This high capacity, high efficiency filter delivers peak performance.
The Fram Ultra Synthetic Oil Filter essentially does everything that you want it to. Let’s talk about efficiency first. It doesn’t have the best efficiency on the market and it certainly doesn’t have the worst.
It is closer to the top of the scale than the bottom. 99% of particles that are 20 microns or larger should be removed and it does a decent job at getting rid of debris that measures less than 20 microns too.
The fact that this oil filter can last for up to 20k miles before needing to be changed is a bonus as well. Some oil filters need to be changed regularly but unless you are doing a lot of miles in a short space of time, you shouldn’t need to change this one very often.
A word on the installation. We found it very easy to put onto a vehicle and even if you have little experience in doing this type of thing, don’t worry. There are clear instructions and it isn’t a big job at all.
Not every single thing is rosy. You do need to use synthetic oil to use this filter and you’ll also need to check that it is compatible with your vehicle. There have been a few reports of the packaging needing an overhaul as it isn’t the most durable but these are all small niggles at worst.
If you need a new oil filter then the Fram Ultra Synthetic Oil Filter is one of the best you can get. Not only does it offer great performance, efficiency at removing harmful particles, as well as ease of installation, but it also doesn’t cost very much either.
Ultra Synthetic is engineered for drivers who require maximum engine protection and use synthetic motor oils for extended 20,000 mile change intervals. This high capacity, high efficiency filter delivers peak performance.