WIX ecoLAST™ Heavy Duty Oil Filter Doubles Life of Traditional Oil Filter

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- WIX® Filters, a member of the Affinia Group family of brands, has introduced ecoLAST™, a revolutionary line of heavy duty oil filters that has proven to double oil life and is projected to save fleets $100 - $200 per vehicle annually.

WIX ecoLAST oil filters capture dirt and soot like a traditional filter, while utilizing media to sequester the acids in the oil. Current extended drain technologies, such as time release additives, sacrificial elements, on-board refining and bypass filtration, are all limited by build up of acidity levels.

"WIX ecoLAST oil filters are the most significant development in filtration technology adaptation since WIX invented the spin-on oil filter in 1955," said Keith Wilson, president of Affinia Global Filtration Group. "This new technology represents a significant breakthrough in helping our customers reduce the operating costs of fleets while also supporting a more sustainable environment."

Typical fleets, which average four oil changes per vehicle per year, can save approximately $100 - $200 per vehicle annually using ecoLAST filters when compared to oil changes using standard oil filters. A mega-fleet with 9,000 vehicles using ecoLAST oil filters can realize a potential annual savings of approximately $1,150,000 by eliminating the need for 5,400 barrels or 226,800 gallons of oil, 18,000 oil filters and approximately 9,000 man hours. A medium-size fleet of 400 vehicles could potentially save more than $51,000, by eliminating the need for 240 barrels of oil, 800 filters and approximately 400 man hours.

"WIX has conducted significant real-world testing during the past 24 months with many of the most popular original equipment diesel engines, from small engines and generators to over-the-road and off-road heavy duty engines, in North America and Europe," said Norbert Schuermann, vice president original equipment sales and new business development, WIX Filters. "This new filter media was engineered to be the answer to the change from CI-4 to CJ-4 lubricants, because CJ-4 oils contain fewer additives and therefore have reduced acid neutralization capability. Filter media durability and all other components were tested and confirmed to meet these extended drain intervals."

WIX's ecoLAST oil filters are a direct replacement with no changes or modification required to the vehicle. The filtration media, which has no similar competition on the market, does not rely on slow release technology. WIX ecoLAST oil filters have proven effective with conventional and synthetic lubes, and works with biodiesel, LPG, gasoline and diesel fuels.

WIX plans to make ecoLAST filters available for heavy-duty over-the-road applications. The first ecoLAST oil filters will become available between February and April 2011 for the following engines: Cummins ISX, Cummins M11, Mack MP8, Detroit DD60, Caterpillar C13 and Caterpillar C15.

Since 1939, Wix® Filters has been an innovator in filtration products. WIX designs, manufactures and distributes products for automotive, diesel, agricultural, industrial and specialty filter markets. Its product line includes oil, air, cabin interior, fuel, coolant, transmission and hydraulic filters for automobiles, trucks and off-road equipment. WIX, a member of the Affinia family of brands, is the number one filter in NASCAR and an exclusive NASCAR Performance Product. Its NASCAR relationship also includes the WIX Filters Lap Leader Award, which recognizes the drivers leading the most laps in each race. For more information, visit www.wixfilters.com.

Affinia Group Inc. is an innovative global leader in the design, manufacture, distribution and marketing of industrial grade products and services, including extensive offerings of aftermarket parts for automotive and heavy-duty vehicles. With approximately $1.8 billion in annual revenue, Affinia has operations in North and South America, Europe, Asia and India. For more information, visit www.affiniagroup.com.

SOURCE WIX Filters