Oil filter K&N or Wix

If you're going to go aftermarket, the Wix/Napa Gold filter is also designed to meet Mazda's specs.

If you want to go aftetmarket I recommand using WIX filter they are good stuff

In my stable: The Nissans get OEM Nissan oil filters. The VWs get Mann The Mazda gets OEM Mazda filters The Mercury, Triumph, and the Toyotas get WIX.

I've used the Fram filter for the first oil change at 8K miles and the car sounded very rough for 10 minutes each time the car was started. Used WIX filter for 2nd oil change. No issues.

The OEM filter does a damn good job for what it is. If you're looking for an upgrade go with a wix or similar quality. Check the micron ratings when looking them up cuz brands like mobile 1 are not as good as they used to be.

DIY 7500mi interval engine oil using 5qt bottle of Mobil1 0w-20 fuel economy oil (takes the whole thing), a K&N HP-1008 filter (why, because it's so easy to wrench off every time), and a new 9956-41-400 aluminum washer.

Nice post, been using pennzoil platinum 5w30 for a while now and after seeing your results with valvoline I'm going to give that a try. Also gonna be switching to the wix filter instead of the usual subaru black filter to see how it goes.

I’ve been using K&N air and oil filters in mine for ten years. I run nothing else and will always run K&N. I’m happy with mine. Oil filter number HP1008. I would recommend. The one inch nut on top is often very helpful getting the filter out. I also run K&N oil and air filters in every vehicle I’ve ever owned. There is a noticeable difference in throttle response for the air filter, but I’ve never seen a difference good or bad in the oil filters.

I have used Wix filters. Wasn't the biggest fan of the plastic end caps on the filter, but aside from that they worked just fine.

Had a WIX 57312 instead of a Motorcraft EC-781. So yeah, it fit but it was allowing oil to bypass the filter completely.