Who makes it ? Local Advance Auto Parts is not very forthcoming about this. I want a good filter similar to ACdelco. I have seen oil filter comparisons showing AC and Purolator being some of the best. Fram just has a great advertising campaign but less filter media. Cannot find anything about the Totalgrip. Anyone know anything ? Totalgrip has the nice grip area similiar to the Fram but all over the filter and is a cool red. But want to know it is a good filter too. Thanks........

 

Why? Why bother? You're not getting a filter off by hand regardless of what it's coated with.

Use a KNOWN GOOD filter, and get yourself the right tool for it; either a strap, or the "socket" looking thing that goes on the end, or the pliers thing, or whatever.

Don't fall for the hype.

To add to my famous quotes of observers of human behavior:
"There's a sucker born every minute". - re. P.T. Barnum, by a competitor
"and 2 to take his money." - anonymous

 

Better question why did you bother to reply ?

I think I explained myself fairly well stating the Fram and ac/Purolator difference, was merely curious about a new option ?


Did I say I wanted to remove it by hand ? No
Did you help or discuss what I asked ? No

 

I replied because the coating is useless, in that it claims to have virtues that are not possible.

Now, if they're taking a KNOWN GOOD filter, and applying a coat of "a cool red" color of paint, and this coating, and CHARGING NO MORE FOR IT THAN YOU WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE TO PAY FOR THE KNOWN GOOD FILTER, then it might be OK. However, I'm guessing that this is not the case; rather, you'll find the cheapest possible filter, with the useless coating of imaginarium, and it will cost as much as a PREMIUM filter.

You're right though, I shouldn't have replied. Forgive me for introducing reality and common sense into a discussion about hype.

 

That's up there with UNOBTANIUM!

 

If you dont crank the filter down and you coat the seal with oil they come off by hand, even without the coating. If its been on the motor forever and a day then its a different matter.

 

Do what many of us do. Cut it open and form your own opinion.

Or if you really want something to get the filter off with, get an oil filter wrench.

Oh, and Mr. Sofa... LMAO!! But I can get my filters off by hand, granted I do regular maintenance and use filter **** to help.

 

WIMP! You probably get sand kicked in your face at the beach huh?
If you can't get an easy grip filter off with one hand, your putting it on too tight ! I have two car's and have NO problem. Maybe you ought to try gripping someting else besides your weiner!

 

hey man I'm the wankle boy. how do you think I developed a strong grip...

 

Wow.

 

Lmao!

 

Filter ****??......Sounds a little too kinky for me! lol

 

Yeah! Come on...haven't you every changed a filter? Lube the O-ring...screw it on...

 

Obviously you haven't used filter **** before

 

And all this time, I thought "filter ****" is what Big George tried to do with a V-Chip.

If the primary factor driving your filter purchases is whether Fram sprayed a rough coating on the can or not, there's a chance you may need to do some homework. In Fram's instance, that coating may actualy be a structural element.

Personally, I'd rather have the filter a little tight, just in case. I run Mobil 1 in everything, and don't need to give it any chance to leak. Most times, I can remove them by hand. Everyone runs into that S.O.B. filter once in a while. That's why I have a couple wrenches.

I'm not sure who makes the "Totalgrip" filters. Until you can find out, with some certainty, it may be best to stick with Puro, Hastings, or Champion filters just to be safe. Maybe someone will have to get one, open it up, and add to Russ' archives.

 

Well it's kinda simple really It's a Puralator filter. Dont worry though 90% of the people who work in these parts stores dont even know what the parts they are selling do let alone who they are made by.

 

I've never had a filter I can take off by hand in my mazda but then again I do as you do with getting it a little snug just to make sure, though I am doing it more so I guess. what sucks though is I don't have a wrench to fit but I have a good screwdriver if nothing else.

 

I've been usding ac delco filters... Am I in the wrong?

 

I work at Advance Auto Parts... Take any of those total grip filters and look at where they screw onto the engine. You'll see those little "grip" particles from the outside all over. I'd recommend not using them ever...

 

I did a "cost analysis" on their website. It's the cheapest oil filter out of 13 choices. What does that tell you? A really good bargain or you get what you pay for? I think if it costs $2.68 I would take that as a clue!!

 

which filter are you talking about Lo-tec?

 

If you're wrong, that makes two of us. I've got about a ten year supply of PF25s. I've got spares for all the other vehicles, too, mostly PF52s, some 47s for weenie engines, and a a few 1218s for insurance. I've only got about a two year supply of Mobil 1, however.

 

I wish I had thought to stock up too. My Wally-world doesn't carry A/C Delco anymore. They weren't "cheap" enough. And they KNOW I won't walk in to AutoZone and buy just a filter. I also refuse to pay A/Z's price for Havoline which W/m does have cheap. I won't use W/m's store brand filters because they are probably made in the Guan-dang province of China, so I have frickin' FRAMS on the most important engines in my LIFE. I feel so ashamed I should call a 1-800 help line...

 

Thx for the discussion. Looks like I will be cutting one up and comparing to ACDelco. I had read somewhere there are only a couple of filter manufacturers ? Hence the idea of the post.
Never seen any of the "red" stuff where it doesn't belong. I have been running these on my beater for a while and always check for foreign objects inside the filter as I lube the o ring.

 

Per a Google, the one claim I saw that was not disputed is that it is made by Puralator.

However, being made by a certain company does not mean it is the same as the manufacturer's own brand.

 

Ok I will keep that in mind and will use the Purolator for the comparison.

 

Thx for the discussion everybody. I found a very good website with a LOT of info regarding all kinds of lubricants and oil filters, etc. If you search for Totalgrip you will find Purolator makes this oil filter. I have used Purolator for years because after more internet digging it rates up there with AC. There are threads related to cutting the filters up and comparisons. Most said their was little if any difference between Purolator Plus and totalgrip.
The thread regarding who makes what filter says totalgrip has less media but that is didputed by threads where people actually
compared the two. Check it out, very useful info.
www.bobistheoilguy.com