zippinbye

I'm up for my first oil change since the 05 has been in my posession. I was about to buy a case of Nippon/Denso 90915-YZZD3 filters on eBay, unit cost just under $4 w/shipping. Then I checked out the TRD PTR43-00080. Didn't find them by the case, so it's a cost disadvantage from the get-go, more like $14 per unit delivered. Probably no better than the dealer. I'm going to run Mobil 1 and do a 5000 mile change. With Costo coupons for Mobil 1, it amounts to about $40 per change vs. $30, so just a drop in the bucket or 8/10 of a cent per mile compared to 6/10 of a cent per mile. I might be interested in pushing the change interval longer with oil analysis. On my trucks I spin on a new filter at the half way point and add a quart, I'd do the same with the GX if I go beyond 5000 miles. Any strong feelings for one filter over the other?

GXHunter

I'm not really sure about either, but i'm using Amsoil for oil and Mann oil filters
http://www.amsoil.com/catalog.aspx?code=ML1003-EA

I know this doesn't really help you, but I thought I would put it out there.

Bob GX

What is your motivation for a longer oil change interval - cost, convenience, etc? How many months does it take you to hit the 5,000 mile mark? Do you do any severe use like towing or real off-road?

My experience with oil analysis is that it's a good way to see which wear factors are at work in the engine, but the cost of the analysis would go a long way towards just changing the oil and filter and not worry about it. I've been buying Toyota filters on line for ~ $4 each and use the regular grade of Valvoline.

The Lexus web site recommends oil & filter change every 6 months or 5,000 miles - seems like reasonable advice and as you point out the cost of oil changes is not a big factor in the total cost of ownership.

mann777

Bob I agree completely on that.

GXHunter

I never go over 6 months with Amsoil. I'm changing my oil & filter at the beginning of the winter and summer. I don't use amsoil's crazy expensive oil, i'm using amsoils XL line. Seems to work great so far.

zippinbye

Thanks for the opinions. My main interest in pushing intervals longer is convenience. Sometimes 5000 miles comes in two months. But here's my secondary consideration; depending on driving conditions (heat, load, airborne contaminents, etc.), I think that frequent oil change advocates are wasting natural resources. There are still plenty of folks that say "I change it every 3000 miles (2000 in some cases), I don't care what the factory says." With a quality synthetic oil and adequate filtration, I would think 5000 miles is way conservative in a Toyota V-8. My original question centered on whether or not the TRD filter is superior to the Denso.

mann777

It is just a brand that has created aura among Motor Enthusiasts, and how company have branded the product. Filters have the same process flow, but it is the design concept which varies among competitors, But the principle would be the same. I stick with the
OEM.