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Use of Acdelco oil filters

6K views 12 replies 5 participants last post by  Fizzy 
#1 ·
Hello all,

'13 LTZ 72k. TSB # 15-00-90-002 refers to using only Acdelco oil filters with these DI engines mostly due to flow and bypass rating.

My question is how necessary is this? Or is it just a ploy to try to get you to buy their filters? Obviously there is some science behind it but how exaggerated is it? I'm certainly not an expert and have ran their filters ever since reading it about a year ago, before that I used K&N filters without any noticeable issues. I'm a bit concerned over what I've been reading about these "e-core" filters with quality of parts and manufacturing.

I called amsoil who hadn't heard about the TSB from GM but said their (amsoil) filters are fine to use, but if he has no idea what I'm talking about how does he know they meet specs?? I also talked to a few Chevy dealer techs who had mixed opinions on Acdelco filters but all agreed they should be changed every 2,500-3,000 miles reguardless of what oil is being used. So that's what I'm doing and hoping that changing the filter regularly will lessen my chances of failure due to cheap parts/poor manufacturing.

Most manufacturers won't release specifics of what their filters are capable of, or at least normal customer service doesn't have access to it. Even if they did I don't know specific numbers of what these engines require, but I was hoping someone here would have enough specific knowledge to answer. Thanks for the help!
 
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#2 ·
GM engineers their oil and air filters for specific conditions for each engine. Use of the filters ensure the warranty coverage remains, if the the maintenance schedule is followed. Until recently reduced, the power train warranty covered the engine for 100,000 miles.

Proper Oil Filter Replacement Helps Prevent Engine Damage

GM designs oil filters for for basic and super high performance engines (think of the various Corvettes and Cadillac V-series vehicles).

I am constantly amazed by people who question whether the GM filters are "good enough" and resort to aftermarket filters. I don't understand why people refuse to use OEM filters and resort to aftermarket filters. They will buy a GM vehicle but refuse to buy a GM filter.

Buy whatever filter you want - good luck.
 
#4 ·
Champion Laboratories manufactures the oil filters for GM and about 20 other companies including K&N and Mobil. Each brand, weather it's one of Champion's or not, is manufactured to meet or exceed OEM specs. There really isn't much difference between the cheap $5 filters regardless of the label. Purolator, for instance, is an independent company that makes their own filters plus Quaker State, Micro Guard, Bosch, Total Grip, Power Flo, and maybe some others, altho I don't remember for certain. The improvements in overall quality - filter media, flow rate, PSID, canister and rib materials and construction, etc generally increase with the price tag. I'm not really sure why there's a TSB on this unless it's an excuse to not honor warranty repairs ie "That's not an ACDelco filter so we aren't paying to fix it", even though there's a good chance your using an identical filter with a different label or one that performs even better. Just my 2 cents...
 
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#5 ·
The problem is that you just don't know for sure when using another brand. It *may* be exactly the same inside - I'm not sure - and therein lies the issue - you just can't be 100% sure like you can with a genuine AC-Delco filter. Brand names do mean something. And it's not like AC-Delco filters are expensive - so again, I just don't see a reason to risk using anything else? Will you be fine with other brands? Maybe. Can you be sure? Not really.

If you read the link supplied above, it clearly states that not all oil filters are the same - even if they look the same on the outside. Different flow rates, different amount of filtering material and other characteristic differences.

Maybe it is just a money grab by GM - who knows. But even if it really is just an excuse to deny warranty coverage, I'd rather play it safe and not risk it by using AC-Delco filters - you will never have issues with warranty coverage if you use AC-Delco. Really, it's a no-brainer, in my opinion. I even go out of my way to use AC-Delco air filters.

But to each their own. That's the great thing about America - everyone is free to do as they wish! :)

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#6 ·
I totally get using Delco in order to not void a warranty, just saying car manufactures provide specs a quality filter manufacturer follows. Are there crap filters made in China or wherever intended for the Dollar store shopper? Sure, but outside of that, if there's a catastrophic failure related to a filter, it's usually a defective part and not a defective design, providing of course its installed properly. This can happen with any filter regardless of the manufacturer. Having said that, the freebie filter you get with the 5 quart oil special is not, nor has ever has been, a filter I would use on any of my cars. I am in no way suggesting the Delco filters are crap but there are filters that perform better than they do.
 
#7 ·
This tends to be as controversial as our current presidential candidate situation (not taking sides only saying people get heated and have strong opinions about their beliefs). I completely understand the warranty side of it and that's why I use delco. I'm only saying when you see cut open ones and some use glued plastic parts and others use metal, it kinda makes me think.

I know delco are made my champion and they make a ton of different brands, and all exceed OEM spec, I just wonder why you should change the filter (according to delco instructions) every 3-5,000 miles while amsoil filters they guarantee to 25,000. What makes one that much better? I know you have to use their oil for that guarantee, and I personally don't know anyone who would go 25k on one oil filter so I get it may just be advertising, but still if it was all BS I doubt their legal department would let them say it.

I'm not looking to start trouble by asking this I'm only wondering why filter lives seem to be all over the board if they're all pretty much the same.
 
#8 ·
No worries KB... nothing is heated between any of us =)
 
#9 ·
^^Agreed! And agree with the post above yours as well! :)

Nothing heated here - just good ol' conversation and personal opinions.

Honestly, I think the vast majority of filters out there will do the job perfectly fine if you change your oil and filter at reasonable intervals. I just prefer using what came on the car from the factory because I *know* they are appropriate for the engine. We all have or own beliefs and preferences based on past experience, posted test results and how we use the vehicle.

But if you stick with a reputable brand name and change your oil and filter every 5k miles or less, then just about any oil and filter you can find will be just fine. Beyond that, it's just personal preference. It's all good! :)

In my case, those oil flters that last 25k miles are useless because I change my oil every 5k miles anyway - and I would *never* change my oil and reuse the same oil filter! Others may try to actually go 20k miles between oil changes (and may even get away with it!). :)

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#10 ·
To lower the "cost of ownership" some of the higher end auto manufacturers started stretching service intervals and even sealed transmissions ("Lifetime fluid" lol) in the early 2000's. The use of synthetic fluids does allow extending changes beyond the old dino based fluids but some went too far and are now bringing those intervals back down. I believe Porsche was the highest mileage for an oil change at 20K(!) but now are something like 15K or 1 year which ever comes first.

Obviously with a 20K oil change interval you don't want to use a 15-20K filter so now they have 25K filters. My 2¢...dino oil change at 3K, synthetic change at 5K, always new filter with new oil and if you don't drive that much change it at least once a year. As far as what to use...manufacturers spec or better (if you can find the real specs).
 
#11 ·
It's kind of funny how the most expensive cars are the most worried about reducing the "cost of ownership". If you can afford a Porsche, then you should be able to afford to change the damn oil in it at reasonable intervals! :)

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#12 ·
Yes agreed! If you can afford a super car you should be able to afford the oil. Most cars especially the "higher end" bmw Mercedes ect. have their own oil brand, when I worked at Advance Auto we carried their oil, it wasn't kept out on the sales floor because most people didn't want it due to the $20+ per quart, but every now and again someone would come in and want it. I'm just about positive those oils are made by a major company and aren't much different from normal synthetics just rebranded with a outrageous price tag, but if it people have the money and it makes them sleep better at night I say go for it.
 
#13 ·
Yeah, and it's not like oil is that expensive, although if you take your Porsche to the dealer for an oil change I can see paying way too much for it. I just can't see skimping on something as important as motor oil and the filter. When I did my SeaFoam flush I didn't cut any corners either. I used Mobil 1 synthetic and a K&N Wrench Off filter and changed both an hour later. IDC that it cost me $50 for that hour (well, $10 of that was the SeaFoam so $40 I guess). That's nothing compared to how much money is tied up in my motor so I wasn't willing to use anything less just because it would be changed in an hour.
 
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