My First Oil & Filter Change.....

[WhiteNBlack08]

Originally Posted by shadowchameleon

Autozone website actually recognizes Smart. Next question on oil filter, what is better
MITSUBISHI, K&N, FRAM, STP, or BOSCH? Not even considering Valucraft

There has been a LOT of discussion about this. I personally won't use Fram anymore, they have cheapened their filters to the point I dont trust them. K&N is a premium filter with a price to match. I have used both the mobil 1 & Bosch filters on my smart and been happy with both. The Bosch is quite a bit longer than stock (I think about 1 1/2") while the mobil 1 is only about 1/2" longer than stock.
Another choice is the Purolator pure one series. They get good reviews as well.
In the end it's your choice, if you are following the recommended 10K change, use the best filter you can buy. I personally change mine every 5K and prefer the mobil 1 filter.

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by shadowchameleon

... It is a mutt inside. ...

I wouldn't call the OEM smart filter a mutt - it is a Tokyo Roki, branded for Mitsubishi and subsequently given a smart part number. If any one opens the filter they will find innards of high quality and robustness.

I have not yet found an authoritative description of the T/R filter medium (cellulouse, semi-synthetic, full-synthetic). It may be a semi- (like the M1 and Bosch), as some of the fibers of a torn edge of the medium melt under heat.