I do not ascribe nor recommend ANY validity to cross-references, and especially secondary cross-references. My research involved the people who were actually doing first-hand testing of the OEM Tokyo Roki/Mitsu/smart filter (Mobil, Purolator/Bosch). There is a lot more to it than: “it looks like it would work,” or that it physically fits the mounting area. I care not to again go through all the salient characteristics involved.
My own, non-engineering evaluation of the TR/Yamaha and the TR/OEM (having cut samples of both open) was that they were incredibly identical, inside and out. ‘Nuff said.
Personally, I weary of this crap, and, as at the very end of his speech of capitulation, Chief Joseph of the Nez Percé said: “From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever.”
Callsign BULL - OUT
Last edited by Old smart; 10-26-2008 at 05:44 PM.
Reason: missing comma
I do not ascribe nor recommend ANY validity to cross-references, and especially secondary cross-references. My research involved the people who were actually doing first-hand testing of the OEM Tokyo Roki/Mitsu/smart filter (Mobil, Purolator/Bosch). There is a lot more to it than: “it looks like it would work,” or that it physically fits the mounting area. I care not to again go through all the salient characteristics involved.
It's not rocket science (and, being an engineer at a firm that builds rockets and satellites, I know from whence I speak).
Most of the engineers working at oil filter companies are primarily driven by a desire to fit the most cars with the fewest filters while not causing engine damage that could cost them money and reputation.
You can find specified aftermarket oil filters that have bypass valves that are not even close to the pressure of the factory units (mostly because the pressure is not critical to the functioning of the valve -- whether it opens at 10psi or 16psi makes little difference in almost all applications).
A single company may have three different filters in different grades that are all specified as replacements for the factory filter -- even though some of the lesser grades may perform worse than the factory filter.
Because of the orientation of the smart filter, the anti-drainback valve is not even required. Unless you park your smart fortwo on its roof.
We don't have high-flow oil pumps in smarts, so we don't need to be concerned with having filters that support unusually high flow rates. The construction of the factory filter makes that obvious.
What matters is the efficiency of the filter material, the area of that material (which determines how long it will go before clogging and impeding oil flow), and the overall quality of construction (to minimize failures). The Purolator PureONE has probably the best media, and plenty of it, of almost any filter made. The Purolator Pure One media captures 99.8% of the particles at 30 microns and 99.2% at 20 microns. That's about as good as one can get in a commercial filter.
The factory filter is fine, but it's not some piece of incredible engineering by a dedicated team of engineers at Mercedes. It's a filter that existed before the smart, was used on various motorcycles and ATVs, and was deemed suitable for the smart 999cc Mitsubishi engine. I'd put a PureONE in place of the factory filter any day, whether specified by Purolator or not.
FMAXWELL
Thank you for the good info on oil filter/rocket science comments. I just like to read laugh because that was great. I have been in there most of my life.
SpikeMike
FMAXWELL
Thank you for the good info on oil filter/rocket science comments.
Thanks. I certainly don't mean to suggest that one can slap any old oil filter into any application, but, after mechanical fit considerations, the key is (not surprisingly) how well it filters.
Now if only I could get a filter without an anti-drainback valve (which serves no purpose in a filter that is mounted thread-side up).
I do not ascribe nor recommend ANY validity to cross-references, and especially secondary cross-references. My research involved the people who were actually doing first-hand testing of the OEM Tokyo Roki/Mitsu/smart filter (Mobil, Purolator/Bosch). There is a lot more to it than: “it looks like it would work,” or that it physically fits the mounting area. I care not to again go through all the salient characteristics involved.
My own, non-engineering evaluation of the TR/Yamaha and the TR/OEM (having cut samples of both open) was that they were incredibly identical, inside and out. ‘Nuff said.
Personally, I weary of this crap, and, as at the very end of his speech of capitulation, Chief Joseph of the Nez Percé said: “From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever.”
Callsign BULL - OUT
Sorry Old Smart. I didnt mean to piss you off. I took your research and ran with it a bit further only because I was looking for an Amsoil filter that would work. Your findings showed it to be a Yamaha filter so I worked with that info to come up with the EaO103 Amsoil filter. Ive sent a note on to Amsoil asking what they think about this as a filter of choice. Ill share it with the group if/when they reply
Im sorry that you are weary of this. Ive found it quite interesting and informative. This is how we learn. Its a bit frustrating trying to find an aftermarket oil filter since no one lists anything yet. This list has been a great help and I really apreciate the research that you have done. Thankyou!
... Its a bit frustrating trying to find an aftermarket oil filter since no one lists anything yet. ...
Okey Dokey.
After doing actual hands-on testing, Robert Bosch/Purolator now lists the Purolator PureOne PL14612, lesser quality PremiumPlus L14612, and Bosch FILTEC 3300, and recently Mobil, the Extended Performance M1-108, for the '08+ smart one liter. Wix is due to follow with the #57040, though it may only be a normal paper medium filter. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the OEM Tokyo Roki/Mitsu/smart filter except for its availability for many owners. It is a bit pricey, but insignificant in the face of good maintenance practice.
Wix has now "officially" listed the Wix #57040 oil filter for the 999cc gas smart, 2008-2009. Wix also supplies filters to NAPA (and I think CarQuest), so the equivalent NAPA/CarQuest number will end in "040." No idea about the quality level or price of the Wix, but it is the common paper/wire filter medium. No mention that it is "glass enhanced," as some Wix are advertized.
Length = 2-1/16" (1/8" longer than OEM and a little shorter than the Mobil M1-108)
Last edited by Old smart; 03-10-2009 at 08:48 AM.
Reason: add length
Doing some digging, I find something about the Wix filter that makes me wonder and a little anxious - the Wix 57040’s bypass spring rate is only 8psi. The Tokyo Roki (OEM Mitsu/smart) is 18psi. Additionally, the Purolator PL146xx is 17psi; the Bosch 33xx is 25psi; and the Mobil M1-1xx is 25psi.
A low spring rate will allow the filter to be bypassed (removed from the oiling system) early for the following reasons, individually or in combination: cold start, high RPM, or filter medium blockage.
Nowhere does Wix claim this to be an extended drain interval filter.
So, do you have a recommendation on best or nearly-the-best filter? Bosch 3300, Mobil M1-108... if I'm wiling to plunk down an extra few bucks for a top quality filter... do you know if the Mobil has a greater capacity for all the crap it filters out?
I may just be brave enough to change my own, with supervision. I've never had a car until now that I actually washed... let alone professionally detailed. This car's changing me, man... I can feel it.
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