Here is a crazy question. I have a new Saturn ION and it has the oil filter up front and inline like a dirtbike, anyway, I run synthetic oil and the only filter I could find was a cheap Fram but I think I found a better quality filter....My question is: Does the oil drain back into the oil pan from the filter after the car has been turned off? I want to swap out this oil filter with a better one without changing the oil again.

 

Not sure about that car, but no it shouldn't. Even if it did remember it would be dirty "out" and clean "in". So I would think you could just change it. Don't forget to make up the differance with new oil for what you take out with the filter. =]

just my .02¢