"Toyota" Oil Filters-Worth it?

I tend to agree with you, the Toyota filters seem like they are not necessarry. Here is a web page that has some good info:

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters.html

It doesn't mention Toyota filters but it seems to say that not all dealer's filters are worth the money. Also says that regular Fram filters are no good. Has some good info.

-Peter B

 

I'll be probably buying mine at Ebay, something like this:

4 Oil Filters Toyota Corolla Echo Matrix 4AFE 1NZ 1ZZFE

Beck Arnley filters? Thoughts? It seems to be a good filter, not paper cheap.

 

Since there's no standards for filters (that I know of) as there is with motor oil [Toyota: use SL or better motor oil], I tend to use Toyota filters [Toyota: replacement parts should meet or exceed the our specifications]. Once a year I stop by the dealer with a shopping list: 4 oil filters with washers, 1 air filter, 1 cabin air filter, and 3 wiper inserts. Runs ~$80 and I have everything I need within arms reach.

Thanks,
Shawn

 

I pay $4.91 Canadian for an Toyota OEM filter and have changed to a quick drain with a copper gasket. If it's good enough for Toyota I'll continue to use them. Then there's no warranty concern at all. Just keep your receipt. You can buy OEM filters on line and you can also go to your dealer and offer him a choice sell them to you at the price you can get online with shipping and let him make the decision, sale at wholesale price or no sale. Most are business men and will sell wholesale. Don't talk to the deskjocky in parts ask to speak to the parts manager.

 

there's a reason toyota uses them...

my husband, after years of using aftermarket parts on our cars, has decided to start using only oem parts because the quality is much better. and really, how bad is it to spend a few extra bucks on an oil filter every 5k miles?

 

I use to think that one filter is as good as another too until I read a Consumer Report article a few years ago on filters. Surprisingly they rated Mopar filters as the best. I was shcoked and i think AC filters were second.

 

All filters are not created equal. I wouldn't touch regular FRAM filters with a 10 foot pole. I have have been very pleased with Purolator filters. I am especially happy with their PureOne filter. Purolator is a part of ArvinMeritor, a large auto parts/supplies conglomerate. They make a number of name brand products, but also seem to supply OEM products to manufacturers. I don't have any inside information regarding who they make filters for, but it is widely known they have existing relationships with the big 3 and with other manufacturers.

There was an article I read a number of months back, I believe on Corolaland, by a guy who was just curious about the innards of the filters he had available to him. After cutting them open and making various observations and measurements, it seemed pretty clear to him that the construction of the OEM Toyota filter and the regular grade of Purolator filter were nearly the same. I believe his conclusion was that Toyota filters, at least at that time were probably made by Purolator, or rather in this case, ArvinMeritor.

 

Agreed. I've used Purolator filters for some time in many cars. No issue yet.

 

I do believe that the Toyota filter is made by Denso.

 

There have been a couple of posts I recall, and wish I could link reference, where people who have changed their oil since day 1 noticed that the factory filter was different in appearance from the filter they purchased from their Toyota dealer.

I do not wish to disagree, but it makes complete sense that Denso would be making the filters available in Japan and used at manufacture, however I can't see that the expense of importing them to NA would be worthwhile. In fact, it would probably make the product prohibitively expensive compared to locally made filters. I'm still inclined to believe that a NA filter manufacturer is making the Toyota branded filters we buy at our Toyota dealers.

 

It is possible. How many things that we buy are made overseas? Even things under $10?

 

Well, here is the article I was referencing. It isn't exactly an exciting read, however it is informative. Certainly the researcher's conclusions were not lab scientific, however he was very thorough and detailed. Probably about as good a research coming out of a guy's garage or workshop.

http://www.corolland.com/oil-filters.html

 

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how many oil filters can you stuff in a can and load on a boat. At least 10,000 and it costs about $1500 to ship a can from Japan to NA. If they can make plastic spoons in China and ship them to NA and sell them for less than a NA manufactured one.

 

The maintenance screen on the MFD implys that you can change the oil and oil filter at differing intervals by giving separate icons.

Since you need to change the oil in order to change the filter, that might suggest that the filter doesn't need to be changed as often as the oil?

I'm just curious if there is a technical reason (or did Toyota need to come up with an extra icon to fit the space) - I know that the for small cost of the filter and peace of mind, I might as well change it at every oil change.

 

I once toured an oil filter factory. They had a display shelf with numerous brands of oil filters that had been cut in half.

I used to think that all filters were the same, but not since that day. There were obvious differences in the amount of pleated paper in the filter, which would translate into filtration area. The quality and construction fo the by-pass valve differed greatly. The materials of construction of the filter itself also varied greatly.

I usually spend the few extra bucks and go with the OEM variety. Also, one less reason they could hassle me on a lubrication related warranty issue.

 

As I reported in another thread on Denso oil filters for Toyota, they are made in NA at a Denso plant in Tennessee

 

I am also sticking with the Toyota filter. I want my ICE to last as long as possible and with all its start stop cycles I am doing my best to keep it healthy.

 

I just bought a new filter over the weekend at a local Toyota dealer. It was a Denso made in Thailand. That's not in Tennessee

 

If you are going to spend less than $5, go with PUROLATOR.

If you are between $5-10, go with BOSCH.

If you want the best $10+, K&N or MOBIL 1.