Will using the 90915-YZZF1 Toyota oil filter void my warranty?

[Bob64]

I just bought a prius a few weeks ago, and I've been reading a lot of posts and planning the maintenance on it.

Now the big question is: Will using the "wrong model" Toyota filter void my warranty?

I know that the and 90915-YZZF1 filter has more filter material and is a bit longer then the other one, but I'm struggling with exactly which one to get since they're the same price, however I need to make sure that using 90915-YZZF1 filter won't end up costing me big-time (in the unlikely scenario where I need some warranty work done on the engine).

I'm planning to use some sort of synthetic oil (might use dino oil, but definitely avoiding the dealer bulk oil), although I'm not quite sure which brand to get quite yet.

The reason why I'm asking is because I'm going to buy a 10 pack from e-bay and I don't want to get saddled with 5 years of oil filters that I shouldn't use (if I want to keep my warranty).

Can anyone clarify this? Thanks.

[FireEngineer]

Go ahead, the filter specs are exactly the same except the length as you have noticed. It would be very hard for Toyota to prove their own marginally longer filter "destroyed" your engine.

Wayne

[efusco]

Like Wayne, I can't imagine any warranty issues. I guess the only question I have is "why"? Why not just get the OEM ones and not worry about it at all?

[tochatihu]

The longer oil filter has more (functional) surface area. There is no clear indication that the Prius engine 'needs' this. Would suggest that it could not hurt.

[chinalfr2]

Unless, Toyota can prove the bigger oil filter does cause the oil pressure to drop to a dangerous level. Thus the engine is not being lubricate enough. I can't see why toyota will void the vehicle warranty.

[galaxee]

nope, it won't void your warranty. that being said, toyota picked that particular filter for a reason. the bigger filter was created for bigger 4-cyl engines (az series engines). the smaller filter was made for the up-to-s-series engines. you don't really need that size filter on this size engine.

but it's your car. do what you like.

[Rest]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FireEngineer @ May 7 2007, 06:31 AM) [snapback]436761[/snapback]</div>

the filter specs are exactly the same except the length as you have noticed[/b]

I agree and also use them because I had a bunch left over.

[Swanny1172]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chinalfr2 @ May 8 2007, 01:59 PM) [snapback]437616[/snapback]</div>

Unless, Toyota can prove the bigger oil filter does cause the oil pressure to drop to a dangerous level. Thus the engine is not being lubricate enough. I can't see why toyota will void the vehicle warranty.
[/b]

Exactly correct. First of all, they could not void your warranty, but they could refuse to pay a claim made against it in case of a failure. Under the terms and provisions Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act, Toyota (the warrantor) would have to prove that using the incorrect filter was the due and proximate cause of the failure.

That said, why take the chance? Toyota engineers specified a particular filter for a reason. Why second guess them?

[Rest]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swanny1172 @ May 23 2007, 05:21 PM) [snapback]448598[/snapback]</div>

Toyota engineers specified a particular filter for a reason. Why second guess them?
[/b]

If he was talking about using a smaller oil filter then I would agree with you but he is talking about a larger filter that is only 1/2 inch longer and internally the same.

You act like everything the Toyota Engineers release to the consumer is the only way it can work. The Toyota Engineering department is controlled by the money department. The Engineers have come up with much better engines but have been shut down due to costs. Toyota is in business to make money.

[Swanny1172]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rest @ May 23 2007, 09:12 PM) [snapback]448636[/snapback]</div>

If he was talking about using a smaller oil filter then I would agree with you but he is talking about a larger filter that is only 1/2 inch longer and internally the same.

You act like everything the Toyota Engineers release to the consumer is the only way it can work. The Toyota Engineering department is controlled by the money department. The Engineers have come up with much better engines but have been shut down due to costs. Toyota is in business to make money.
[/b]

There are plenty of cars on the road today where the engineers have specified an alternate oil filter. I'll give you an example. The car I traded in on my Prius was a 2001 Audi A4 1.8 Turbo. Audi specified an original equipment filter and also specified an alternate filter that was larger. They did this when they changed the factory oil fill from dino to synthetic oil. I regularly ran the larger filter because it increased my oil capacity and the surface area of the filter. However, I knew for certain that the alternate filter was designated by Audi as having the proper filtration characteristics for my car.

Part of my problem with you guys running around here and talking about using other Toyota filters is that it may lead some to believe as long as a filter fits, then it will work. All filters are not made the same and just because it spins on your car does not mean that it is doing the job.

This is not your typical car enthusiast crowd and many people reading these messages are neophytes to the world of DIY auto maintenance. I just want to reinforce how important it is to use parts that were designed for the application for which they were intended, especially if you want to take full advantage of your warranty rights.