Originally Posted by hondatech
I can see from the posts most ppl on here are pretty misinformed. OEM filters are best for Honda/Acura vehicles. Honda/Acura uses different suppliers to have enough oil filters to go around in the US. One of the suppliers happens to be Fram. Fram only makes the filter to Honda requirements, they don't design it at all.
It's literally been years since I saw it but someone once cut open some Honda filters. One was a Filtech, the other was a Fram. The Fram did indeed have cardboard endcaps while the Filtech used metal. Maybe that has changed? I thought that they stopped distributing the Filtech made Honda filters in the US a while ago. I have no idea about the availability Toyo Roki ones. Since you're apparently a tech at a dealership, maybe you can straighten this out for us. Are there still some non-Fram Honda filters available at your dealership?
As to whether or not a Fram Honda filter is worth it when compared to a K&N or Mobile1 filter, that's up the the buyer to decide. I personally don't care too much on my used civic. But at something like $3 a pop for the blue Fram filters, no thanks. I'll just continue to buy the cheaper (yet non-cardboard) Proline/Purolator filters I've been getting.