So did you discover your problem Al/Casaleenie? When you say that you are not mechanically inclined, I am beginning to get the idea!
I use K&N filters currently and see no reason not to stick with them. One the other cars I tend to use Purolator Pure1(on the rare occasion that I actually change the
oil myself!). Use a good
synthetic such as Mobil 1 or Red Line. I change the filter twice for each change in
oil. Generally it works out, for my mileage, to one
oil change and two filters a year. KMart you can get Mobil 1 by the gallon at a good price. Watch for it to go on sale there to because it does!
The double gasket as well as overtightening the filter are the two most common filter replacement errors. Do fill the filter before putting it in place and do lubricate the gasket with some clean oil before mounting it.
Rick