I too just changed my oil (yesterday) and used the Puralator filter PL25276. Mine also had raised "end caps" on both sides. Makes me wonder if someone used the wrong filter or an older design on your previous oil change. This is only the second time I have changed the oil in the car, but both times I have used the Puralator filter and it looked the same both times.


On a side note, people here do prefer the fleese filter because the paper element will begin to breakdown if you wait the full 7-9K between oil changes. I can't bring myself to wait that long, so it has not been an issue with me. I have only put 4.5K miles on the car in nealy 6 months...I don't like to let it go too long time wise, regardless of mileage between changes.
Don't want to start a oil war here, just my personal preference.

Hope this eases your concerns.

Cheers,
KrzyFast