STP oil filter now made by Fram

In case anyone is interested...

The older STP SMO-12 was a re-badged Purolator ML16812. I;ve used these for decades without problems.

The newer STP S6012 is now a re-badged Fram CH6012-01.

All of the above are now made in China.
I'm still going to use it, since I don't think there is a chance of getting non-Chinese filters conveniently anymore.

The OEM it good quality?

www.partzilla.com/product/kawasaki/16099...e7dc6309ce05a6616862

I like the Hi Flo's, made in Thailand
I'll use a Fram every 3 or 4 changes when I need to replace the O-rings because they come with it.

By loudhvx: ...
All of the above are now made in China.
I'm still going to use it, since I don't think there is a chance of getting non-Chinese filters conveniently anymore.

Emgo filters aren't made in Taiwan or Thailand any more? or any other place outside china? I've been using Emgos for a number of years, and the last one I changed was from Thailand, but I haven't checked the other 2 I have.

I bought a lot of 12 Fram CH6012 oil filters off of EB last year & they're made in India. The Emgos have a metal clip where the pleats meet, but not the Frams. I plan on cutting open one of the Fram filters after I get a chance to use one >> I'm particularly interested in how good they're secured to the end caps. I've seen some dissections of Fram car filters >> their construction was horrifying.

martin_csr wrote: ...................I've been using Emgos exclusively for a number of years, and the last one I changed was from Thailand, but I haven't checked the other 2 I have.

................. The Emgos have a metal clip where the pleats meet, but not the Frams. I plan on cutting open one of the Fram filters after I get a chance to use one >> I'm particularly interested in how good they're secured to the end caps. I've seen some dissections of Fram car filters >> their construction was horrifying.

In the past the K&N oil filters were also made in Thailand and were made quite well; they too had the metal clips where the pleats meet, the filters were all the exact same size, and they had a lot of filter material. However, the last K&N filters I bought were made in China. They had fewer (as in much less) filter material, glue instead of metal clips, and they were all different heights by a bit more than 1/8". Obviously the move to China saved K&N money, but as far as I'm concerned it did not help K&N's reputation at all. I was very disappointed in the Chinese made filters. BTW, I sent a very polite question about the Chinese quality to K&N, but of course they did not respond. Ed

I was only speaking of the filters I can find at auto parts stores near me. Next year I may have to buy online.

At the most recent oil change, I used a NAPA gold filter. I only casually looked at it, but my impression was that it is as good as, or better than the others I have tried.

I always use oem kawasaki filters . Have no idea where they are made . Get them at my local dealer .They always have them in stock as they fit multiple models .Last thing to cheap out on is the filter .

How do you know if a filter is good or bad?

I have an email question into Partzilla to find out who makes Kawasaki filters. Unfortunately they aren't answering questions during the covid crisis.

I want to use filters made in NA or Japan.

If you want NA you may have to make it yourself

I have a Kawasaki oil filter for my KLR. It says it's made in Japan.