I know I'm preaching to the choir here but I'd like to reiterate a point. I've been using Hastings-branded oil filters (manufactured by Mahle) in my Crossfire since 2003. I was ordering some things online earlier this year so I added a couple of Fram filters since they were on sale and used one on my next oil change.

I changed my oil a couple of days ago and when I pulled the oil filter cartridge out, the Fram filter practically fell off. The seals on each end were complete mush and it slid right off the assembly. The Mahle filter takes some persuasion.

I put the second Fram filter in just so I could run some errands and drive to my parts store and pick up a new Hastings. Even after using the Fram to drive only about 15 miles, the seals on the ends were already degraded and it appeared I could scrape them off with my fingernail. Here are the two filters side-by-side.

They really are crap.