My wife hears about by-pass oil filters that filter down to seven microns on a car talk show on the radio... this is what she feels she must have on her car. Now, she has no idea what this is, but it was on the radio show she was listening to and now she wants one too...

My question is:

Are normal (ex: Phram or Motorcraft) filters the by-pass type - or do I have to go by a $20 Volvo filter? Personally, I see nothing wrong with standard Phram or Motorcraft filters or nobody would be running them without destroying their motors. I have about 20 Phram filters for all my cars in the garage on a shelf (excellent sale...) - I'm really waiting to hear all your responses (especially Volvo techs).

I change my oil every 3000 on my 168,000 mile Jeep Cherokee running non-synthetic, every 3000 on my new 426ci stroker running synthetic, and every 5000 on the wife's 850 GLT switched to synthetic since we purchased it at 65,000.

All input welcomed... I do realize that the factory OEM Volvo filter has a low-pressure check valve or something that allows oil to flow upon startup.

Thanks,

Barry