I was at Autozone tonight picking up a filter for my wifes van and decided to take an extra look. Her van uses PF-47 filters, you guess the make ehh!

Picked up the AC-delco and looked at it. Then I picked up a STP, Bosch, and Value line (new brand) for the zone. And finally a Fram.

What I noticed was the AC, STP, Bosch, and Value line were identical, even down to the number of holes on the internal tube inside the filter and their pattern. Amazing the AC and STP were even the same color with different stickers applied. Here is the breakdown.

Bosch $5.99 (fancy box that winds up in trash)
AC $3.34
STP $2.99
Value $1.99 (plain white box)

The FRAMs (orange turds) were completly different, but I didn't like the oil input holes, they were tiny. The drain back looked thin too. I put it back down and wiped my hands off.

I commented to the counter guy, about my little study and he chuckled, and a stocker behind the rack chimed in and said they are all made by Champion, (except the FRAM).

I have never seen so many filters so identical, marketed under so many different marks.

Anyone else run across this with another popular filter before?

 

I know that Wix and Napa filters are identical. Well, for the Napa Gold anyway. I havent checked the silver.

 

There are about 4 major filter manufacturers; Honeywell, Dana, Purolator, and Champion. Here is the brands that they make -

Honeywell - FRAM, Defense, Pennzoil, Quaker State

Dana - Wix, Napa Gold

Purolator - Purolator Premium Plus and PureOne, Motorcraft, Advance Auto Parts brand

Champion - ACDelco, Champ, SuperTech, K&N, Mobil 1, Bosch, STP

I know there is a bunch that I missed, but these are the only ones I can think of right now.

 

Purolator makes Parts Pro (??), which is Sears low cost filter.

Purolator also makes ProLine filters for PepBoys.

Champion makes Deutch, which you used to be able to get at AutoZone.

 

Now the mobil 1 filter has synthetic media correct?

 

Dont forget the CarQuest Premium is also a DANA.

I saw that "value" filter at Auto Zone. Made in Mexico. Suprised its not in Waly World. Filter truely made me nervous just holding it. The drain holes are so small. Down right scary. Thanks, but I'm stickin with my WIX.

 

I'll be running a Fleetguard next change. I think Fleetguard makes their own.

 

The parent company of Purolator is ArvinMeritor (used to be Rockwell) that also makes ZF transmissions for Ford. The Napa Silver oil filter I saw for my BMW application is identical to Purolator. As for country of origin, I had two STP filters for that application, one Mexico and one USA. The Purolator/Proline/Napa Silver ones are all from India!

Jim