Oil filter Fram or OEM Mazda

Use the right oil from Walmart or whatever and I used a fram oil filter. I used a higher end one then the standard orange box one. Never had any issues.

I’ve always used the OEM filter and Kirkland 0W-20 oil on my 2013 Skyactiv because I remember reading on the forums that due to the high compression of the engine the Mazda filter is specialized to handle that. Not sure if it’s true but no problems yet on 7.5k OCI.

I'll probably get downvoted for this, but Fram is perfectly fine and the higher line (Ultra / XG) gets excellent reviews. I've been using Fram on everything for years, including a boosted Mazdaspeed Protegé, my Miata, a Lexus, etc. Never an issue. I use the XG line for both my Miata and my daily driver 3, as it has excellent construction and fantastic filtration ratings. As an added bonus, the textured section of the filter means that I never have to use tools and I've never had a Fram seize or be a pain to remove (unlike other brands I've used in the past).

The Ultras are actually good. The grippy rubberized bottom is a nice convenience too.

I typically go with Mobil 1. Fram has been manufacturing filters that use a little flap of tin for the bypass spring which comes on during high oil pressure situations, and at least in Canada i have seen these fail quite early. And not one or two, but closer to 3/10 i have cut open. I should cut more open as my observations are now a bit dated but in my opinion if it has a actual bypass spring inside of it, they will be more effective in the long run since the ones with a actual bypass spring inside of the filter i have personally never seen one fail yet.

And with filter media, you want it to be the vacuum bag. The canister that simply catches the most crap is not exactly the smallest micron rating, but the filter that returns to normal operation reliably when the vehicle hits operating temperature. And if that filter seems too expensive to run, then you really cannot afford to replace the engine.

Edit: Also it is worth checking out your factory supplied oil filter as they usually spring the bypass correctly for the designed engine oil pressure.

I would NOT buy a Fram oil filter unless it was their extended life triple safety whizz bang super dooper model, the plain ones are awful.

I would move away from Fram, their oil filters are garbage even their premium stuff.

I have never liked fram, they always cut corners in one way or another.

Never buy fram oil filters they’re all shit.

I have seen Fram metal filters expand due to factory oil pressures.