Purolator vs Fram: Best Oil Filter Brand?

Among the many brands in the market, Purolator vs Fram has always been a question among the mechanics and vehicle owners. Especially in the oil filter range.

We’ve got you covered if you are confused between the two well-known brands, Purolator and Fram. Here in this article, we will mention some differences between them. Let’s get started!

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Purolator vs. Fram Oil Filters

Both brands have been leading the automotive market for decades, especially in the case of oil filters. While Purolator released its first oil filter way back in 1923, Fram released their first oil filter in 1932 and has been continuing manufacturing in some locations of the USA.

Let’s look at the differences between them both to have a better understanding of which one is the best pick!

Parameters	Purolator Oil Filter	Fram Oil Filter
Compatibility with synthetic oil	They are compatible with any type of oil and give the best results with synthetic oils	Compatible with both conventional and synthetic oils
End Cap	Purolator oil filters have metal or steel mesh end cap	Fram Oil Filters usually have fiber and cardboard end cap
Anti-drain-back valve	Uses both nitrile type as well as silicon rubber drain back valve.	Uses silicon rubber anti-drain-back valve
Protection up to how many miles?	10,000 miles	7500 miles
Pricing	Less costly as compared to Fram oil filters	Cost $2-$3 extra as compared to Purolator oil filters

Presence of Moisture

inside the oil filter is a sign of cheap quality. Often, it has been noticed that Fram Oil Filters have some amount of moisture inside the new, unused oil filters, whereas there is no such presence of moisture inside Purolator oil filters. 

Here clearly, Purolator Oil Filters take over Fram Oil Filters in case of interior quality.

Anti Drain Back Valve

The anti-drain back valve is of high importance and concern for most customers while purchasing any oil filter. Silicon rubber anti-drain-back valve always takes over the nitrile one.

Some Purolator oil filters come with a silicon rubber type anti-drain back valve, whereas the others come with a nitrile one. Purolator Boss oil filter comes with a special anti-drain-back valve made of ethylene acrylic.

On the other hand, most of the Fram Oil Filters come with a silicon rubber anti-drain-back valve which is more efficient than the nitrile one.

Till How Many Miles The Oil Filter Lasts? 

The filter’s quality is depicted by the miles till which it lasts. Oil filters that last longer give good protection to your vehicle’s engine and the engine oil. Purolator oil filters usually last up to 10,000 miles under normal driving conditions.

Whereas in the case of Fram Oil Filters, they last up to 7500 miles approximately under normal driving conditions. So if you are thinking of using an oil filter with synthetic oil, Purolator oil filters would be a good pick!

End Caps

End Caps help resist the high pressure and give immense support to the oil filter, so it should always be a strong one. Purolator oil filters earlier used to have a poor paper-based end cap, but later they officially announced in a metal war video that they are switching to metal or steel mesh end cap.

In the case of Fram Oil Filters, they use cardboard or fiber end caps that have a poor quality compared to metal end caps.

Pricing

Apart from quality, pricing is also a concern of customers when choosing the oil filter. Purolator Oil Filters are less costly than Fram Oil Filters and are easily available at most Walmart stores.

At the same time, Fram Oil Filters cost $2-$3 more than Purolator Oil Filters.

Conclusion

Both Purolator and Fram are well-known brands, and both of them try to override each other. Based on the different observations and differences and the customer’s feedback, Purolator oil filters are a better option than Fram oil filters. But still, we would advise you to go for the one that suits your vehicle the best!