Hey everyone,

Please bear with me as I did do a search and nothing came up to answer my question.

I decided to do my first oil change yesterday and I went to Autozone to buy the oil filter. They told me that the xB wasn't in the system so i said it's the same engine as the Echo so just give me the oil filter for that. My question is... is that right? I put the filter in and all that and everything "seems" to be fine but want to ask the experts just to make sure. Any insight? Thanks everyone!

edwin

Don't worry about it man, it is exactly the same engine. So you're good to go! :)

Just make sure that you don't buy the Fram crap please, get the OEM, k&N or (wix or wir, not sure what it is) next time.

wix and napa oil filters are the same thing like 1065 (napa), and 51065 (wix), wix just puts a extra digit in front of there part #, if you didn't already know that

Wix makes them and then like Carquest and Napa and so on modify the numbers and packaging to make them their own.

Thanks everyone... I will rest peacefully tonight! Haha

:lol:

To amplify the thoughts on how crummy Fram is, etc, this site is pretty darn good:

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters.html

I wish I had known about it a few years back. I have been using Fram up until now, and looks like I will be switching on the next oil change for all my vehicles!

:twisted:

I can give you a little info on this, as I work for NAPA. Check out the avatar.

First, there is a difference between Silver and Gold. Gold filters get smaller particles out of the oil. 3 micron vs. 53 micron. I don't have the specs in front of me, but check out www.wixfilters.com for specifics.
50 microns is huge when you talk about the clearances in an engine. BUY THE GOLD.
Fram filters use CARDBOARD endcaps. Wix uses Aluminum. Ask yourself, What is stronger. Wix uses a positive Bypass valve. Fram uses a Cheap rubber valve that does not work. Sure the Fram is Cheaper, but if you love your car. DO NOT BUY IT.

Please, your engine is worth $6.
Isn't it?

I agree with phatboy, go for the $10 filters with metal endcaps and better flowback valves. Under ideal circumstances, "in theory", a cheapo filter will work fine... and you never get flat tires or have birds crap on your paint, right???

Also, when I searched autozone's web site 2 days ago, it let me pick the xB 2004 and showed the filter part# for fram/stp/mobil. Since the 2005 is the same, there you go.

Best of luck!

Thanks everyone!

Okay guys, you know the filter media of Fram filters are not that different from other brands of oil filters.

The only problem is on certain fram filters, their oil drainback valve isn't perfected.

Some may find this a problem, but you know what?? I don't.

Has anyone thought about how the oil filter is mounted?

The answer is, "Probably not."

The oil filter is always full because it is in a vertical position going straight up into the block, this keeps the filter always full, the worries of anti-drainback problems is a non issue.

So at this point, all you would be looking for is a filter that cleans the best.

----I think in this case, it would be beneficial to just change oil filters every 2500-5000 miles instead(since you can get Fram ones for really cheap). This way you can run extended drain intervals just by topping off what you took out from the oil filter. When you change your oil, it's not the oil that has gone bad - most of the time -, but instead, it's your filter that has gotten clogged.

However, I would suggest sending a bit of the base stock to get tested at a place such as Blakcstone Labs to see if the oil coming out of your crank case can be reused.