A fluid filter apparatus comprising an upper housing shell; a lower housing shell; a pleat pack element comprising a peripheral frame and a folded pleated media. The frame is at least partially molded over the media to secure the media in the frame, and the media comprises two or more types of media of different densities from each other. A flow control element is disposed for changing the proportion of flow between the first media and the second media responsive to changes in at least one of temperature, pressure, flow rate and/or viscosity of the fluid.