why you shouldn't use STP oil filters on the m50...

[ryan roopnarine]

admittedly, i used to use them all of the time, as they are much easier to get than other brands, (can get them from autozone) and the price is good. they never showed any sign of excessive "falling apart" compared to any other oil filter i've used on this car.

here's a pic of one that was in use on my vehicle for between 3000 and 3500 miles with castrol 5w30 conventional



the first arrow (left) is where the paper circular began to fold and tear into itself, the right arrow is the circular pulling away from the canister top. i know that the mahle filter has only a partial paper circular for the m50 filters, but im scared to think would would happen if the paper broke free and started to circulate. even worse...what would have happened if this was a screw on filter made to the same quality standards, and only had the thin metal can (instead of the substantial metal filter housing) as a support.

[GAM]

I had the same problem with an STP filter a couple of years ago.