Its about quality. Fram is definitely on the lower end of the scale. Click on my link in my last post if you haven't already. See the quality of Fram compared to the others. Not so great and prone to fail. I would bet you could get away with not using a filter at all with regular oil changes if someone for some reason came up with a widget to bypass it. But its still not good for the engine. Its always good to have at least a halfway decent filter. I will use an air filter as an example because most can feel the difference with them. If you have say a Fram air filter, you will have more restricted air flow, prone to clogs, and possible tears or rips compared to say, a K&N air filter. K&N is known for its long life, high flow, and its water resistance. When driving, most people can tell the difference between the two. While you may not feel the difference when driving with a better oil filter, it will flow better and catch more particles. A higher quality filter is also less prone to fail, as tearing or ripping.