Oil filters help engines run cleaner for longer, and changing them is vital for car engine maintenance. If you’ve ever shopped for one or wandered through an auto parts store, you’ve probably heard of STP oil filters. But is STP a good brand? Let’s explore the brand and its filters.
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STP Oil Filter Brand Overview
STP is one of the oil filter brands you’re pretty likely to find in the store and online. They make a line of filters that fit many cars. They also manufacture a range of other automotive products, like engine oil, fuel additives, and even bar oil for chainsaws.
What Is STP Oil Filter?
An STP oil filter is a metal canister that keeps the oil in your engine clean. Like other filters, an STP oil filter screws onto your car’s engine in a cavity, usually at the bottom of the motor. It has an arrangement of filtration media inside of it, and it strains the oil in your engine, capturing impurities and debris in the oil, keeping it safer to run your oil longer than if it was unfiltered.
Periodically, the oil filter needs changing, usually when you change your engine oil. The frequency of those changes depends a lot on the filter’s construction.
Who Makes STP Oil Filters?
Champions Laboratory, Inc makes STP oil filters. The company’s headquarters is in Albion, Illinois. They have a global footprint, and their filters, manufactured in Michigan, ship worldwide and are used in all sorts of engines, from cars to small motors to heavy trucks.
They have a reputation for producing high-quality filters. STP also enjoys a rich history in the world of automotive racing. As of 2019, STP is owned by Energizer Holdings, a global leader in the manufacture of batteries and portable lighting products.
Energizer Holdings also designs and markets STP products and other recognized automotive brands like Nu Finish, Lexol, and Eagle One.
Who Sells STP Oil Filters?
A variety of vendors sell STP oil filters. If you have a local auto parts store, they probably sell STP filters. You can also find some of their top filters, like the S6607, online really easily. You might even be able to request that your mechanic uses STP oil filters when they do an oil change on your car. Anytime you drain and replace the oil, you should also replace the oil filter.
Types of STP Oil Filters in the Market
STP makes a whole line of oil filters. Many of the designs are interchangeable across a variety of vehicles. Other filters are more specialized. For instance, the STP S8081 is only for BMW models cars and can be a bit hard to find.
Oil filters are often described by their thread pattern and size, as matching that pattern to your car’s engine is essential for fitment. Oil filters fall into categories relating to their service life or the maximum interval between oil and filter changes. Exceeding the maximum interval could create a condition where the filter gets so dirty that it isn’t working as well as it should, and the oil in your engine loses its protective properties.
| Filter Name | Features | Pros | Cons | Lifespan | Price |
| S6607 | Exceed OEM specsPremium Construction | Made in the USALess expensive | Shorter lifespan and smaller than standard size | 5,000 Miles | $5 |
| S6607XL | Exceed OEM specsPremium ConstructionLarger size | Moderate expenseLonger service life | Not manufactured in the USA | 10,000 Miles | $9 |
| S6607ML | Exceed OEM specsPremium ConstructionLarger sizeHybrid blend of materials | Made in the USAVery long service life | Much more expensive | 15,000 Miles | $12 |
| STP S2 | Fits older GM and Ford engines | Made in the USA | Won’t fit many cars | 5,000 Miles | $5-8 |
Here’s an in-depth look at each filter.
STP S6607
The STP S6607 is one of the most common filters STP makes. It’s at the lower end of the price range and easy to find in stores and online.
Features
- Up to 5,000 miles protection when used with synthetic oil.
- 20×1.5 mm thread
- Full-flow lubrication
- Enhanced cellulose media for dirt-trapping efficiency and capacity
- Premium gasket and anti-drain back valve for top performance
Pros
- Exceeds OEM fitment requirements
- Better than stock filters
- Non-slip grip
Cons
- The gasket can slip off the old filter during changes.
Verdict
- The STP S6607 is a premium filter. If it fits your vehicle, it’s a solid choice. But, it has a relatively short service life compared to some of the new filters that last longer. You can use it with synthetic or conventional oil.
STP S6607XL
The STP S6607XL is a larger version of the S6607. The threads are the same, but its increased length means that it not only holds more filtration media, but you have to be careful to make sure it fits in the cavity of your engine.
Features
- Up to 10,000 miles protection when used with synthetic oil.
- 20×1.5 mm thread
- Full-flow lubrication
- Synthetic resin media for 99% efficiency @ > 20 microns
- Premium silicone gasket and anti-drain back valve for top performance
Pros
- Exceeds OEM fitment requirements
- Better than stock filters
- Works in conventional or synthetic applications
- Non-slip grip
Cons
- The gasket can slip off the old filter during changes.
- A bit more expensive
- It’s made in China.
Verdict
- The STP S6607XL is a premium filter. If it fits your vehicle, it’s a solid choice. It has a relatively long service life when used with synthetic oil.
STP S6607ML
The STP S6607ML is the same size as the S6607XL, but its engineering allows for a much longer service life.
Features
- Up to 15,000 miles protection when used with synthetic oil.
- 20×1.5 mm thread
- Non-slip grip
- Full-flow lubrication
- 100% synthetic media for greater dirt-trapping efficiency and enhanced capacity
- Premium silicone gasket and anti-drain back valve for top performance
Pros
- Exceeds OEM fitment requirements
- Better than stock filters
- Very long (15,000 miles) service interval when used with synthetic oil.
Cons
- The gasket can slip off the old filter during changes.
- Expensive
Verdict
- The STP S6607ML is a premium filter. If it fits your vehicle’s thread pattern, it’s a solid choice. It has a very long service life when used with synthetic oil. If you’re using synthetic oil, you’ll need to change the oil more often.
STP S2
The STP S2 is a filter that fits some older Fords, Chevys, and other cars.
Features
- Up to 5,000 miles protection when used with synthetic oil.
- 22×1.5 mm thread (special)
- Full-flow lubrication
- Enhanced cellulose media for dirt-trapping efficiency and capacity
- Premium gasket and anti-drain back valve for top performance
Pros
- Exceeds OEM fitment requirements
- Better than stock filters
Cons
- NBR gasket can slip off the old filter during changes
- Lacks non-slip grip
Verdict
- The STP S2 is a premium filter. If it fits your vehicle, it’s a solid choice. But, it has a relatively short service life compared to some new filters that last longer, and it doesn’t fit many vehicles.
How Do You Tell If an STP Oil Filter Fits Your Car?
The best way to tell if a particular oil filter fits your car is to check a fitment guide. Some parts companies offer an online guide where you can search for an oil filter that will fit your vehicle.
Most oil filters fit a wide variety of similar vehicles. For instance, it’s pretty common for the same filter model to fit multiple cars with the same or similar engines. It’s also pretty standard that there are filters that fit various cars from many different manufacturers.
Are STP Oil Filters Better Than Other Oil Filters?
STP enjoys a reputation as a manufacturer of high-quality oil filters. They are a premium brand. If you were to disassemble an STP oil filter, you would see that the internal media is well-constructed and that the filter itself is relatively rugged. The outer canister can stand up to the elements, and the filtration efficiency and capacity are typically excellent.
Oil filters get dirty as soon as they get exposed to a car’s engine oil. So, you can’t see the work that they do to keep your car’s engine safe and free of debris. But with an STP oil filter, you can be reasonably confident that you’re straining your vehicle’s engine oil and keeping it healthy throughout the service interval between oil changes.
STP FAQs
Some questions come up all the time when talking about STP oil filters. These answers should give you a head start.
Does STP oil filter have anti drain back valve?
Most STP oil filters have an anti-drain-back valve. You have to check each filter to be sure.
What does STP S5 oil filter fit?
The STP S5 oil filter should fit any car or truck with a thread size of 13/16,” also known as 16 UN (Universal).
Is STP an extended life oil filter?
STP makes a range of filters. Some have an extended life or service interval, especially when used with synthetic oil, whereas other filters have a normal life cycle.
