My '01 SE came with an oil filter that was about 3.5" long.
The replacment my dealer gave me was shorter (about 2.5" long). They said this is the new one and it would work fine. The part number on the shorter one is 15208-65F00. I would feel better using the longer one. Any feelings?

 

All the filters I've bought have been 15208-9E000, but I haven't ordered any in several months and have 6 on hand still. The filters are made in USA. I've never heard of 15208-65F00 filters. It must be a new design. Are they made in USA or Japan? I'll have to talk to my parts guy and see what he has to say. The 9E000 filters seem so small to begin with comapared to the 60U00, I can't imagine something smaller. Of course, Toyota filters are very small.

 

Length is only a benefit by holding a small amount more of oil in total capacity. The main thing that has to match is inner gasket size, outer gasket size and thread size. It will only help you by alloowing the oil to be more effective by a small but defined manner. I always run longer filters if I can.

 

The length of a filter means more filter area can be in the filter but it doesn't mean is does have more filter area. Xtra volume doesn't add much. What is more important is the relationship between the filter area and the pore size. I would prefer a smaller pore size and more filter area. This way you trap smaller particles with the finer pore size and with more filter area you don't get as much pressure drop across the filter area. Larger filter area also increases capacity before clogging. Increased pressure drop will reduce flow, which is bad. I always change my filter when I change the oil and I use synthetic oil. I am oversimplifying things because there is a lot to filter materials that have a direct effect on filtering efficiency, pore size distribution, clogging, depth filter, filter surface design etc. The quality of the filter construction is also very important. Lots of filter area, and pore size doesn't matter much if it bypasses oil when it shouldn't. I have been using the Bosch Premium filters, which are longer than 2.5". I haven't hunted much for the Maxima. Sorry guys I don't see the Max as a performance car. The Maxima is a very nice car but it's not a performance car. I pay more attention to my 1970 Mach I and my Old Cobra.

Links:

http://members.nbci.com/minimopar/oilfilterstudy.html

http://members.nbci.com/minimopar/oilfilters.html

 

On a synthetic oil site I read where most recomended the NAPA Gold oil filters as the best. Compared to the Nissan filters it is much more substantial.
I feel Nissan parts are adequate, but if you want to spend a little more (~$7)- well you get what you pay for.
Note: FRAM is junk, even Puralators are better.

 

My 2001 SE, manufacture date 11/00, arrived with 15208-65F01 installed. I just did my first oil change and the dealer's parts desk sold me 15208-65F00. From the exterior, the two parts appear to be identical.

From reading the packaging, this filter's primary application is the Sentra SR20 engine. Courtesy also lists it for use with the Pathfinder's VQ35, which I think shares the same block with the Maxima. It seems Nissan has standardized on 1 part for at least 3 different applications.

I installed the new filter 4 days and 300 miles ago and so far I'm satisfied. If you drive in exceptionally dusty environments, you might consider changing it more frequently to compensate for the smaller filter area.

 

Go to www.motorvate.ca, I think they guy discusses this very issue. He disected some orange filter that will remain unnamed and a Nissan OEM, it ain't the same ball of wax.

 

I just performed my first oil change on my 2K2 Maxima. The OEM filter I removed was tiny! It may only have been 2.75 inches in length - I couldn't believe it. I replaced it with a Wix filter sold under the Carquest name (it's equal to the NAPA Gold). This new filter was at least an inch longer than the OEM Nissan Filter. What I would really like is a big filter like what GM uses on their engines. Even my 1.6L Honda Civic engine had a larger filter . . .

Does anyone know of a larger filter that will fit the 3.5 engine? Or if not a direct fit filter, maybe there is an external adapter kit I could use to add a larger filter at a convenient location in the engine bay. I also "HATE" the location of the stock filter. It's really hard to get to since it's behind and above a plastic guard which is situated directly behind the passenger wheel. It's virtually impossible to get a tool or a hand on the filter . . .

 

I just changed the oil for the first time on a 2001 GXE. The filter
removed was a 15208-65F01. The replacement filter, purchased from the dealer is a 15208-9E000.

When I quizzed the parts guy about the difference, his reply was that
the shorter filter (15208-65F01) is stock from the factory and that all subsequent filters chages should be the 9E000.

 

He said the 9E000(larger filter) was the part listed for ALL 2000-2001 Maximas. He said the 65F00 showed up without notification and MOST dealers don't even bother to notice it is listed for the late production 2001 Maximas. Therefore either will work. The 65F00(smaller filter) is also listed for the 3.5L 2002/Pathfinder, so it should have enough filter area to work on our 3.0L.

One benefit of a larger filter is that it typically has a more filter media. However, since our filters are mounted horizontally, depending on whether or not the anti drain back valve does anything, it also takes longer to fill up on starting. If you run a heavier oil like I do(15W-40), you might not want the larger filter.