FYI: OEM oil filter dissected

[KuroNekko]

Synthetic allows you to extend the oil change interval, but a used oil analysis needs to be part of the decision whether you SHOULD extend the interval or not.

For me, 7500 miles (per the book) is way plenty far enough.

Agreed. An analysis will also help one determine which oil is best for their engine. I also change the oil at 7500 miles given that I regularly drive in stop-and-go traffic. This is still an extension given I fit under the "severe" driving conditions category which has an OCI of 3000 miles according to the owner's manual.

[SamirD]

Again, materials and construction are what matter. Why do you think better filters cost more?

G) The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act in the United States prohibits auto manufacturers from denying warranty claims if aftermarket parts are used and they didn't cause the failure.
Think about why this would be law. It's because aftermarket parts specified for the vehicle application typically meet or exceed the requirements of the vehicle manufacturer. In essence, there is not much of a specification difference to warrant a denial of a warranty claim.

Things like OEM specs are not as important because they are variable and the aftermarket parts easily meet those unrefined specs. Where they differ is again, construction and materials.

I'm not a professional debater, nor do I have any background in the formation of proper arguments, so go easy on me.

I used to own a distributor of aftermarket auto parts. We only sold radiators and AC condensers, but our vendors like TYC/Genera made much more than just these products exposing us to the world of aftermarket parts at large.

Higher cost does not necessarily dictate higher quality. It could simply be a higher profit margin. However, most aftermarket parts that we found exceeding OEM by a large margin were superior products (Koyo racing radiators are a good example).

Now that being said, while build quality is higher, the engineering behind a product could be lacking design elements from the original part where the aftermarket company couldn't figure out their purpose. And while the legislation does exist here in the US to prevent frivolous claims by manufacturers to deny warranty claims, more often than not, there is proof by a manufacturer to deny such a claim indicating that there these small differences in aftermarket and OEM part performance can be detrimental.

So is it really worth any savings in getting a cheaper aftermarket filter? Probably not. Is it really worth the extra money in getting a more expensive aftermarket filter? Probably, but only if the design is IDENTICAL to OEM. Otherwise, even a superior made part with an inferior design will cause problems down the road.

[SamirD]

Synthetic allows you to extend the oil change interval, but a used oil analysis needs to be part of the decision whether you SHOULD extend the interval or not.

I've used Blackstone Labs and after a few oil changes of analysis found their analysis junk--they didn't show an increase in metal in the oil even after my Accord starting having a slight rod knock. I discontinued their services after that.

I just listen to the engine for an increase in noise. I can tell almost exactly if a Nissan KA24DE is overfilled, needing fresh oil, or has a timing chain issue just but listening to it.

I'm getting used to that for the Kizashi. Even though the change interval doesn't say so, the fuel smell in the oil and the valvetrain noise screams 'I need fresh oil!'. I have to find a way to do this for the Kizashi in a convenient manner.

[Ronzuki]

Bootymac, how many miles were on that filter you cut open?

[KuroNekko]

Again, materials and construction are what matter. Why do you think better filters cost more?

G) The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act in the United States prohibits auto manufacturers from denying warranty claims if aftermarket parts are used and they didn't cause the failure.
Think about why this would be law. It's because aftermarket parts specified for the vehicle application typically meet or exceed the requirements of the vehicle manufacturer. In essence, there is not much of a specification difference to warrant a denial of a warranty claim.

Things like OEM specs are not as important because they are variable and the aftermarket parts easily meet those unrefined specs. Where they differ is again, construction and materials.

I'm not a professional debater, nor do I have any background in the formation of proper arguments, so go easy on me.

I used to own a distributor of aftermarket auto parts. We only sold radiators and AC condensers, but our vendors like TYC/Genera made much more than just these products exposing us to the world of aftermarket parts at large.

Higher cost does not necessarily dictate higher quality. It could simply be a higher profit margin. However, most aftermarket parts that we found exceeding OEM by a large margin were superior products (Koyo racing radiators are a good example).

Now that being said, while build quality is higher, the engineering behind a product could be lacking design elements from the original part where the aftermarket company couldn't figure out their purpose. And while the legislation does exist here in the US to prevent frivolous claims by manufacturers to deny warranty claims, more often than not, there is proof by a manufacturer to deny such a claim indicating that there these small differences in aftermarket and OEM part performance can be detrimental.

So is it really worth any savings in getting a cheaper aftermarket filter? Probably not. Is it really worth the extra money in getting a more expensive aftermarket filter? Probably, but only if the design is IDENTICAL to OEM. Otherwise, even a superior made part with an inferior design will cause problems down the road.

I'm not a professional debater either. I just like to debate topics when there is evidence to support opposing positions. The OEM oil filter debate is a good example.

I agree with many of your points such as more expensive doesn't mean better. However, in the world of oil filters, the evidence is there to support that price correlates with quality.
There have just been so many dissections proving that more expensive filters have better components that simply make them better products.
Much like a $4 Fram oil filter is inferior to a $7 OEM-grade filter, a $7 OEM-grade filter is inferior to a $13 premium-grade filter. It's in the construction, filter media material, number of pleats, etc. These are all observable in the numerous dissections all over the internet that compare them.

The point where I differ from your perspective on oil filters is that I don't think the design matters as much as you believe. The evidence is the fact that Suzuki's (and many other) OEM filters have a number of applications. In the case of the OEM Suzuki filter Bootymac dissected, this very same filter is specified for a 2.0 liter engine, two 2.4 liter engines, and a number of outboard boat engines. To me, this goes to show that the OEM filter can handle a varying range operating specs that allow it to be this universal in application. This all makes sense if you understand how an oil filter works.
The "specs" that people talk of here are actually minimums that the filter needs to meet because factors like oil pressure, flow rate, filtering capacity, and filtering efficiency are all variables. They are really not constants.
Because of this, the OEM specs aren't so important as long as their minimums are met. Most premium-grade filters simply exceed these minimum specs and offer better performance and longevity due to superior components like synthetic filter media and metal end caps.

Also, given these factors are variable, the design (like shape and size) of the filter does not need to be identical to OEM; they just need to be close enough and have the same key components. Basically, an oil filter design is not that important as long as it works to meet and exceed the minimum specs. An oil filter is nothing like a cam lobe, an engine valve, or a gear cog. It's simply not a component that needs to be exact by design. What's important is that it has key components like anti-drainback valves and bypass valves if the OEM filter does. However, it does not need to be the exact same size or shape.

Now, I've never said the OEM filter is bad. It actually looks good, but Bootymac's dissection proved it's not better than premium aftermarkets like Mobil 1. The end caps are evidence.
If you can get the OEM filters easily, then that may be a good way to go. However, it's a hassle for me and I also extend my OCI while using full synthetic motor oil in "severe" driving conditions. For this reason, I want a higher quality oil filter. The better oil filters happen to also be more accessible to me as I have a new Autozone near my house. All these factors go to why I use a Mobil 1 filter over OEM.

[redmed]

Do we know what manufacturer makes the Kizashi oil filter?

[KuroNekko]

Do we know what manufacturer makes the Kizashi oil filter?

I wasn't able to determine that for certain much like others here. However, other forums state that Suzuki's motorcycle OEM oil filters are made by Tokyo Roki (recently changed their name to just Roki).
I would say that it's safe to assume that the OEM manufacturer is a Japanese company given the filters are made in Japan.
Other Japanese car brand OEM filters are from American brands but that's because these companies make their cars in the US and therefore have US-based OEM parts suppliers.

[bootymac]

Bootymac, how many miles were on that filter you cut open?

I took a hacksaw to the OEM filter on my Kizashi (PN 16510-61A31, made in Japan) and wanted to share my findings. This filter was installed by the dealer and has ~6,500 km (or ~4,000 miles) with 5w30 synthetic oil.

[Ronzuki]

thanks...should have gone back to the top. At 4k, the filter material looks as though it could have easily gone twice as far.

[bootymac]

thanks...should have gone back to the top. At 4k, the filter material looks as though it could have easily gone twice as far.

It should as Suzuki's oil change interval is 7500 miles for "normal" use and 3000 miles for "severe" use.

Interestingly, Suzuki considers all of Canada as severe use and the OCI is always 3000 miles.