Rob --

It's my opinion, I'm entitled to it, I'll give it if asked, and I don't give a rat's ass whether you like it or dislike it. In fact, I'll be happier if you and a million others continue buying Fram and avoid Mann—that'll keep the price down on Mann.

Years ago I used Fram because they were always a great deal, on sale two for $7.99 (little did I know). So I used 'em. And wondered why I could hear my rod bearings for the first few seconds and it took 5-10 seconds for the oil light to go off.

About 10 years ago I bought an '81 245 with a seized cam. I figured a new head would fix it. After fixing it for $20 (turns out you generally don't need a head for that failure), I removed the Fram filter and installed a Volvo filter. The car's still running, 10 years and 65,000 miles later. (The PO said, "Oh, my ex husband always changed the oil himself!" Bingo! Frams from K-Mart!)

So my data conflicts with Consumer Reports (and I trust them), but I believe my experiences more than what others say, even Consumer's Union.

And with Mann filters costing around $4 each after shipping, why use an orange filter that won't stop drain-back?

Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)