Fram Air Filter Knockoff?

I'm pretty good about changing my Tacoma's air filter annually, and always use Fram CA6690. Last week I bought a filter on Ebay from an outfit which specializes in close out inventories. It was advertised as a new Fram CA6690 but its box was a plain white oversized one with a Fram sticker on it. The filter fit the air cleaner housing fine but it had a smaller number of paper folds than the real Fram it was replacing and the material felt more fuzzy. And it did not have the model number in raised letters on the rubber case. It's depth was a little smaller, too. Is this a real Fram? I know manufacturers sometimes sell professionals parts that come in other than retail packaging but this really arouses my suspicions about it being a fake Fram:

 

I doubt it's real.

But if it is a "real" fram, it's certainly a crappier version than what you had. Might be a take-off from cheap OEM supply rather than an aftermarket one.


This is kinda why I don't generally buy auto parts from Ebay/Amazon unless it's a really well known supplier.

 

fake sparkplugs are a thing, so I wouldn't be surprised if fake cheap knockoff air filters were also a thing...

 

I only buy OEM filters. Fram is bad enough, fake Fram is probably worse.

 

Looks like a improved design to me, the thicker, stronger pleats are nice. I wouldn't worry about it and run it!

 

I too only use OEM Toyo-Denso AFs. Funny thing is, they look a lot like your "knock-off" filter in that they are almost alarmingly thick and kinda "fuzzy" in texture. I look at thiese OEMs and wonder how the heck this engine can breathe through one but,,, because uber-filtration.

 

Original Poster here. I sent the pictures and my story to Fram customer service. Here is their reply:

"The part you purchased is a Fram Pro FPCA6690. It is not the same as the Extra Guard CA6690. These we designed for repair centers to install, not for retail sales which is why the packaging is different. It fits the same as the CA6690 but is not the same filter."

I'll leave this filter in for the next year but I'm in agreement with jbrandt and ridgerunner about its quality, or lack thereof. It just looks and feels cheap compared to the standard retail Fram. Next year I'll buy a retail version Fram with the familiar orange and white box and non-fuzzy pleats.

Breaking News! Just received a follow-up from Fram:

"The Extra Guard filter will perform better. The Pro Line filters were discontinued many years ago so while I may meet requirements of the past it would not be made to the higher standards of current filters."

 

There are a lot of Fram haters in here, but they're just as good as anything else. In today's lawsuit happy society, you can't get away with making inferior products and stay in business for as long as they have.

 

I fully agree. I've used Fram air, oil and fuel filters almost exclusively in my vehicles for the past 30 years and have never had a filter-related problem.