Mainly because I don't like hassles. I have them delivered to my doorstep. It's more efficient and economical to order them by the dozen. I'm not going to go to a dealership or an auto-parts store every time I need to change my oil. (call me lazy? ) The filters I have come sealed from the elements. A few years on a shelf is nothing compared to what it gets put through on the car. If it cant last a few years on a shelf, I sure as hell wouldn't be putting something that sub par on my car. Besides, if shelf life was a valid issue, they would put an expiration date on the box.

 

Buy them by the case on eBay, individually Saran-wrap them when they arrive. Last forever in the garage or anywhere else. They don't need to be 'fresh', they're not food.

 

I've never used crush washers either. I'm sure it's not a bad idea or doesn't hurt to have the added security. However, I did have a small oil leak with my previous Purolator oil filter on my Nissan Frontier. I changed it to a Mobile 1 filter. I've gotta change the oil today. We'll see how it's holding up.

 

The OEM Nissan filters come wrapped.

 

You use a washer for the oil filter?

 

I think one of the vendors on here (Performance Nissan?) sells a 5 or 10 pack for a buck or two. I forget, I was planning to buy a pack of them from there but swung by my local dealership and they gave me 3 or 4. I went back like a year later, willing to buy them again, but they just handed me another dozen of them and sent me on my way.