I forgot a couple of things... at one point is filtering down to a very small micron level too much filtering which reduces oil flow back to the engine and early transition to by-pass mode? What about filtering surface as designated by the number of pleets and folds in the filter material? And the combination of these two, and many other factors to get the right level of oil filtration for the recommended maintainance cycle? Remember these are alll things the GM, Ford, Toyota, BMW engineers have spent time and money figuring out for you.
The benefit of selling OEM filters via parts stores or Wal-Mart is economy of scale. The volume reduces overall cost. Makes no sense to have different specs and different production runs, material, etc. for a Wal-Mart filter vs. the one you buy at a dealership. They are the same.
Just food for thought, not trying to start an argument, just trying to share what I have learned. At the end of the day it is your car, your engine, your money, and your call!
Like the Fram guy said during the TV ads in the old days... "you can pay me now or you can pay me later"... how true those words are!
The benefit of selling OEM filters via parts stores or Wal-Mart is economy of scale. The volume reduces overall cost. Makes no sense to have different specs and different production runs, material, etc. for a Wal-Mart filter vs. the one you buy at a dealership. They are the same.
Just food for thought, not trying to start an argument, just trying to share what I have learned. At the end of the day it is your car, your engine, your money, and your call!
Like the Fram guy said during the TV ads in the old days... "you can pay me now or you can pay me later"... how true those words are!