Toyota Brand Oil Filter

When I bought my truck in Feb., I received a voucher for lifetime oil (conventional) and filter changes for every 5K. I tried to negotiate another $1k off the sticker saying I would do the oil changes myself, but that didn't fly to no surprise.

I let them do it at 5K and I'm currently coming up on 10K. This is where I plan to make the transition to Mobil 1 Full Synthetic. When I bought the truck, I inquired about them using synthetic for the dealer oil changes. They said I could bring in my own if I chose at my cost.

I'm thinking I'll just start doing the oil changes myself - I really don't mind doing it anyway. Any certain brand of oil filter superior to another? How do the Toyota brand filters stack up?

 

Lifetime!? Or two years? I thought my offer was good for two years free maintenance.

 

ToMoCo OEM filters are excellent, and quite well priced.

All the major synthetic brands are good. Just pick one. You can usually find the best prices on Mobil 1.

 

You heard it right. Toyota was trying to butter up the consomer amid all their safety issues in the news at that time. I noticed several other car makers advertising the same in the couple months after I got my truck.

 

the toyota filter should be fine. synthetic oil, 5k mile change intervals, toyota filter YZZD3 = Success

 

You guys know of a tutorial on here on the oil change? I want to make sure I don't pull the trans fluid plug (I did that once on my mom's 4-runner years ago).

Something I noticed that I thought was pretty cool was the secondary containment around the filter. Even has a little drain plug. I always hated cleaning the dripping oil from filters of previous vehicles.

 

i've been buying toyota filters from the dealer that fit our v-6 and the small v-8. slightly larger than stock, more filter... about $6.-

 

Nevermind on that tuturial....just spotted that big section "Mods & Tutorials".....still getting my feet wet here. Thanks for your help.

 

For free oil and filter changes every 5,000 miles, I'd let them use conventional oil every time. If the oil change interval was 7.5K miles or higher, then I'd consider synthetic. Regular dino will hold up fine for 5K miles. I've also read that people will sell a vehicle or wreck it way before they have an engine oil related problem. Let Toyota pick up the tab on your oil changes, you've already paid them for it.

 

Off topic but you mentioned the 4runner and how you pulled the transmission plug once. I remember how great my 22R was... Once all the oil drained out, all i had to do was wait about five minutes and pull my oil filter off and not a drop would come out into the engine bay. Man those were the days. Now instead of put the filter in a proper place they have to put that damn "catch" under the filer. It always gets filled with dirt and i have to get out a tooth pick and clean it before i can drain my oil. Plus its a bitch to get all the oil out of that thing... Oh and WTF toyota for still using conventional motor oil??? Kinda a rip off on the "oil changes for life"

 

X2

 

I just started doing my own oil changes. for the 5k and 10k service I had the dealer do it and had them do synthetic (for quite a bit more price too). I said screw it and started doing it myself now. Using Mobil 1 5w30 and a Mobil 1 high efficiency oil filter.
I also noticed the guys weren't greasing my drive shafts either. The rear zerks took about 5-6 pumps of grease IIRC before I started seeing grease pop out and the front drive shaft I can't even get the grease gun to fit onto the zerk with a tight enough seal to pump the grease into two different people and three different grease guns...no success. I'm gonna take it to Toyota soon and have them adjust the zerks on my front drive shaft if they can do that or just replace them completely. And while I'm there I'll be sure how to ask them they were getting it greased.

 

Make sure the head on your grease gun isnt worn. Mine would snap on the rears OK but not the fronts. I went to Napa and spent a whopping $4 on a new head and it works fine. When I took it apart the little collet that snaps over the zek had just enough wear it wouldn't hang on. Replacing Zerks is a pain.....

 

X3

using synthetic oil and changing it every 5k is a waste of time, money, & oil. I am not a fan of synthetics, and this seems to be a growing opinion, long term studies are just coming in and the results are not good, I am talking about Gov. studies (so maybe those are flawed also). I am not sure if many of you remember but when synthetics first arrived on the market the big pitch or sales gimmick was that by using synthetics one would only have to change oil every 25/30 k, just change the filter every 10k, now everyone I talk to who uses it, change their oil at 5k or less, even below the mfg's suggested intervals, to me it is a big waste, but if I was getting free oil changes I would take them. Just mop Doc

 

I agree with DocD.

Take the free oil changes. You'll end up either wrecking it or trading it off LONG before the engine is wore out.

 

Can you supply a link or reference to these studies?

 

Question !~ ToMoCo oil filter Is there a special wrench for this filter?? The filter wrench that fits a fram oil filter does not work on my Taco!

 

Regarding the secondary containment and little drain plug, you'll still be cleaning oil from the filter. I ran a tube off of the drain plug down to below the skidplate to catch the oil that comes out of that drain. Works pretty well and then I just tuck it up in the skidplate.

 

The oem filter is longer isn't

 

I'm crossing my fingers....don't wish a wreck on my Taco! It's my baby! I plan on keeping this vehicle a long time. I've seen enough to be a firm believer in synthetic lubricants. For the extra cost, it's cheap insurance for me. I also don't mind doing oil changes, I actually kinda like it. I've been doing them since I was 16 on my first ride.