Oil Filter, 1.8T Engine

[Brett Dikeman]

At 5:31 PM -0700 6/30/04, Dan DiBiase wrote:
>Hi, all.... I know many of you drive older Audis but I am wondering 
>about recommendations on oil filters for my 2004 A4, specifically 
>for the 1.8T engine. I'm coming up on my 10k oil and filter change - 
>do I need to use an OEM filter or is there another comparable or 
>better one out there... Also, want to make sure I don't have any 
>warranty issues, so perhaps I would be better off just using the OEM 
>filter....? I am using Mobil1 oil.

Mobil 1, Purolator(PureOne I think?), and Mahle/Mann filters are all 
perfectly acceptable and have been tested/ranked highly.  You need:

-anti-flowback valve (keeps oil in the engine with the engine off) 
Around the top(open end) of the filter, buried under the little 
holes.   Some manufacturers skimp on the gasket material here and it 
stops sealing properly with age.

-bypass valve (keeps oil flowing if the filter clogs) At the bottom 
of the filter, visible through the center hole.

-metal or plastic end construction for filter element (not cardboard 
like Fram.  Yes, Fram uses -cardboard-.  Yes, it's not particularly 
strong)

-large filtration area (not like Fram)

-strong body capable of withstanding european oil pressures(yes, 
Frams and other -really- cheap filters can actually give out under 
european engine oil pressures).

If the filter meets all those qualifications, tada, it's fine for 
your car.  Contrary to list opinion(at least thus far) one does NOT 
need to go hunting for the ultra-rare Mahledebeast.

Many cars made in the last few years take super-lightweight oils, 
very important- so be sure to double-check the owner's manual.

Brett
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