Oil Filters - Mobil 1???

[Integra23]

I'd stick with OEM. There q few videos out there taking multiple brand filters apart and the OEM is always best.

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[RacingManiac]

I've used both OEM and M1 filter on my FK8 before. I can't tell you if they filter the same or anything. But I can tell you that M1 filter's housing slips with those filter wrench socket and I basically have to use the 3-jaw filter clamping wrench to remove it every oil change, much more annoying to use than OEM ones....

 

[The Shmoo 2.0-R]

From my understanding the Honda OEM: 5400-PLM-A02 is a filter manufactured for the US market and is manufactured in the USA by FRAM/Honeywell.

The filter I use for my FL5 is the 15400-RTA-003 which is the OEM Honda oil filter manufactured in Japan by MAHLE/Tennex. Some say this filter is a better OEM option mostly because it is made in Japan.

If anyone is interested in purchasing the 15400-RTA-003 filter you can buy them at Boats.net and I believe Black Hawk Japan.

 

[frontlinegeek]

Ya, I have heard that the Japanese sourced filters are better than the ones made in North America (Honda ones).

Longer term, I switched to WiX filters a few years ago.

 

[zumbooruk]

From my understanding the Honda OEM: 5400-PLM-A02 is a filter manufactured for the US market and is manufactured in the USA by FRAM/Honeywell.

The filter I use for my FL5 is the 15400-RTA-003 which is the OEM Honda oil filter manufactured in Japan by MAHLE/Tennex. Some say this filter is a better OEM option mostly because it is made in Japan.

If anyone is interested in purchasing the 15400-RTA-003 filter you can buy them at Boats.net and I believe Black Hawk Japan.

Honeywell sold Fram in 2011, First Brands owned Fram since 2019 till bankruptcy in 2025. It is now owned by Premium Guard

Fram Ultra Synthetic used to be the best most efficient at filtering sub 20 micron particles, 99.8 percent at 15 microns. (as were Amsoil, Royal Purple, Mobil 1, all were manufactured by First Brands)

However, the Honda A02 filter used to be the same as the cheapest lowest grade Fram, not the best Ultra Synthetic.

If I have to guess, probably the same (i.e. not the top of the line) applies to the current Japan made Honda oil filters...

bottom line, just because it says Honda on the label, does not mean it is the best, most efficient filter to protect the turbocharger.

Honda has no interest in keeping our K20C1 engines and turbochargers lasting more than 120,000 miles. they would much rather sell us new Hondas, or pay them to replace/fix the engines.

I did a lot of research for the current most efficient sub 20 micron filter.

I ended up getting Purolator One (which is more efficient than the more expensive Boss)

Though I am not convinced I reach the correct conclusion... Bosch Premium 3323 and even Premium Guard EX might have been better choices.

Premium Guard, the new owner of the Fram brand might or might not use the original Fram manufacturing plant (I recall reading that the plant was dismantled?) so the new "Fram" filters might or might not be the same as the originals. and are probably just relabeled Premium Guard filter, even though they kept the exact same part numbers...

As of a few weeks ago, Amsoil was selling Wix filters, so I have no idea who might make the new Amsoil oil filters (if ever)

Some brands like Mobil 1 have shifted their contracts elsewhere. Highline Warren LLC has been the exclusive U.S. and Canada supplier of Mobil 1 since February 2025. Highline Warren is the contracted brand supplier and warranty party but the physical cans are contract-built. Recent stock and shipping records often point to Korea or Vietnam. Construction often looks like the Premium Guard private-label filters, though Highline Warren has said it is not connected to Premium Guard, yet the appearance still overlaps...


BTW, this is a fairly complete list of oil filters which used to be made by First Brands, though Champion Labs made about 30 more private label filters which were not publicly disclosed by name.

FRAM
Amsoil
Mobil 1
Royal Purple
Champ / Champion Labs
Luber-finer
Honda Genuine
ACDelco / GM
Harley-Davidson
Supertech (Walmart)
STP
Castrol
Pennzoil / Quaker State
Service Champ
Carquest

 

[chopsuey34]

Probably doesn't matter the oil filter if everyone is changing oil at 4,000 mile OCIs anyways

But yes, Purolator One has good filtering.

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