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Will my Scat Pack be okay with this oil filter?

4.4K views 9 replies 8 participants last post by  GSBrockman  
#1 ·
Note: I am not very knowledgable so please bear with me. I bought a used 2021 Scat Pack T/A on June 18, 2023 with 13,875 miles. On December 16, 2023, I had only accumulated 3,584 miles since purchase, but it was almost 6 months since purchase. I was going to take it to the dealership for its first oil change since buying it, but they quoted me $200, which seemed very high, even for high quality parts.

I took it to Firestone, where it ended up being $160. There was some confusion because I had previously owned a 2020 SXT. They asked if I wanted regular or synthetic blend, and I said full synthetic, not knowing they thought I had an SXT at the time. They quickly realized it was a Scat Pack T/A when they brought it in, so luckily they ended up using the official Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 0W-40.

They used a Pennzoil PZ-173 oil filter, and I assume they did not have the Mopar 899 in stock. I noticed this particular filter was listed here as an alternative for the Hellcat (was going to provide a link, but the forum didn't let me include the link as it is my first post) and the efficiency is listed at 97% above 20 microns. I know people on here are always arguing over whether to use the 899 or SRT 041, let alone a third-party filter.

Will this filter be okay? I've just been a bit paranoid to drive afterwards because it doesn't have the factory filter. This car is my daily driver, and it is usually in street mode and doesn't get pushed very much unless I go for the occasional fun drive, in which case I will probably use sport or track mode. My wife also drives it, and she drives even more conservatively (still getting used to it). It is not going to the track at all or being raced. The reason it doesn't accumulate many miles is because my wife and I both work from home so it is only being driven for errands or the occasional fun or travel.
 
#2 ·
It will be fine. In the future you may want to provide both the oil and the filter of your choice. They should just charge to change both and dispose of the old stuff appropriately. I use Wix 57899 filters, but any quality one of your choice will be fine. The MOPAR 899 is a good choice too of course. Do it this way and then you’ll know. Amazon is a good source for oil and filters.
 
#7 ·
Amazon is a good source for oil and filters.
Oil, yes, filters maybe.

I'm about to buy another 12 or so quarts of PUP from Amazon, but I no longer trust filters from there.
It's somewhat common in the Ram world to get fake filters, and it may start creeping over across the line.

Pay attention to who the seller is. If it's a Mopar dealer you should be fine, but if the seller also sells dolls and weight loss items...
 
#3 ·
Most Scat Pack folks like to run the SRT oil filter instead of the stock MOPAR 899. Given your driving style, you're certainly not going to hurt anything using the Pennzoil filter, the stock 899 or the SRT that most of us run.

Because I know you'll ask. ;)

Genuine Mopar 5038041AA Oil Filter
 
#4 ·
You will be fine, especially if you're not going to the track or driving hard for extended periods of time - even then, you probably would still be fine.

I always go to RockAuto and grab a few MO899 to have on hand for this reason. They're usually cheap but they get you with shipping, so you might want to buy a quantity that results in the most filters for the least shipping (I think I paid less than $6 each, shipped)
 
#5 ·
I also think you are fine, but may want to buy a couple extra "correct" filters to have on hand. As to oil, I only use Pennzoil PuP. Some run Mobil1 or a couple other brands. It may not make a difference, have not seen reports of failures due to oil as yet.

There is some lore suggesting the only reason for one spec oil is marketing and some corporate politics.

One reason I document my changes and the products is in case of a warranty claim (and my warranty is running out in about a year). The other is if/when I do someday sell, I have good records.

I have a few 899 and 041 filters on the shelf. I ended up forgetting I already had a couple so I am now good for a couple years. Same for oil, I have a couple cases on the shelf.

For future sale purposes, I'm sure my sometimes using the SRT filter on my Scat will not be an issue.

I got all my Scat oil and filters from Amazon. Local parts stores do not stock the oil or either filter. I have no issue with the pennzoil filter, and would use it just as easily as a Fram on the rest of my vehicles. Even though many think Fram is junk, I have never had a failure on any vehicle which I could attribute to it.

I do treat my Scat as special, mostly because I worked very hard and long to get to where I could have this toy.
 
#6 ·

I found a local guy who does all his work for cash, he's a Mopar fanatic, too. He's got a lift in his garage, so all I gotta do is make an appointment and show up with my own oil and filter, and $40 to do the actual work.

And check out what's buried under the rubble, and no, it's not for sale.

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owns 2023 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack Wide Body