The Fram Ultra is a great filter and the quality is on par with it's competition.
They have synthetic media and wire backing for strength. Where other filters have collapsed from oil pressure (Bosch) the fram ultras hold together and when I tear them down after an oil change seem to still be good for another couple thousand miles.
The whole grippy-textured surface at the top so you can hand tighten and loosen them like you're supposed to is brilliant.
Fram makes GM oil filters. At least they used to. Compare the black (factory) filter or the AC blue filter next to a Fram. Same dimples beneath the grip on the Fram. IIRC there are two companies that make most of the normal oil filters. Even the expensive Mobile 1 filters, though those just use higher micron elements is all. Wix is the other company. Not sure who makes Subaru's but I'm sure it's the same story. Been personally using them for decades, never had an issue. Wife rolled her Honda over 500K using them every 5,000 miles.
There is that possibility, I have had a Fram filter that self disintegrate inside due to age of the filter ( I had them for a while before use).... when I finally took out the filter and shakes it, it was definitely loose. It was causing that same oil filter light intermittently.
Never felt any substantial difference from the changing of the oil itself but did notice that using a regular Fram filter made for a shaky idle in the '89 Integra I had. Changing the filter back to an STP made the wonky idle go away.
ive been using that fram filter since my girl got her '94 2.0 jetta and i thought it was the oil pump about to go... her oil light only goes on when shes driving slow but she'll downshift and once it goes up in rpm's the light goes off...
I have a 94 ABA 2.0L Jetta. Changed the oil and installed a ph2870A filter, took it for a drive and the buzzer would come on. The oil light come on..and at certain point at 4k rpm a 90miles under light load...flat road the light would come on...and then go off..
every fram that ive used in the past was ng. most oil filters use a filter made of cellulose. mobil1 oil filters use synthetic fibers. those cellulose filters swell up and limit oil flow.
I used 4 or 5 for the first few changes on my honda Civic SI with a turbo, and half caused oil lights and pressure spikes or drops... switched to MOBILE1 or K&N and no problems.
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