Hi Kenny:

___Is the Walmart purchased SuperTech the best? Single pass efficiency of 98% under SAE HS806 and Multi-Pass of 99% under SAE J1858. The SuperTech’s are designed and built by Champion Labs (makers of the Bosch, Mobil1, STP, and SuperTech filters) here in the US. The Champion Labs ADBV are touted to be the best in the business. They (Bosch, STP, and SuperTech) use a semi-synthetic media instead of simple paper. The Mobil1 uses an all-synthetic media for even better low micron filtering at the expense of higher Delta P’s. Do change your filter at every oil change because they are so inexpensive … And with that, the real appeal of the Walmart purchased SuperTech’s is that they are < $2.00

___Many Honda filters are junk Fram’s. Some of the later ones are supposed to be better but I haven’t followed this up in maybe 6 or so months. Bitog is the place to see real world filters cut open, dissected, and discussed to the ends of the earth. If you find something new, please link it back here so we can all enjoy the fruits of your labors …

___Time … There is an interesting issue with most Honda hybrids. There are under body covers that need to be removed and they are not easy to get too. The biggest issue however is with the Insight’s magnesium oil pan. If you did happen to strip the threads for the drain bolt, you are speaking of $140 to maybe a $400 repair. There are Insighter’s that had the ramps shoot out from the car when driving up the ramps. Do you drive your used oil to the local recycler or dump it in the garbage (DO NOT DUMP YOUR USED OIL IN THE GARBAGE IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM!). When I make an oil change appointment with them (local Honda dealer just 3 miles away), they give me a time to bring the automobile in. I haven’t spent more then 1 hour of my time waiting in the last 7 or so changes w/ the MDX, Corolla, and Insight.

___I know most of the above is written with an Insighter’s experience but if your local Honda dealer will provide the change for just $9.xx USD, take your Mobil1 synthetic and SuperTech or whatever you decide to use in and get the best change in the business. Make sure they only fill your automobile up to between the midpoint and High level of the dip stick. It might give you another small increase in fuel economy vs. filled to the full mark.

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net