Salon Boy - I like your signature line. If you don't mind, I'd like to print it out and post it here in my office to show some people that sometimes they really ought to just keep it ZIPPED!!!

 

I'm glad you will find it useful in the way it was meant! I'm more than happy to share it with you,(especially since I honestly had nothing to do with writing it. S.B

 

Perhaps your dealer is a rip off.......

 

As an engineering manager for a company that manufactures crankshaft and camshaft position sensors for GM and Toyota as well as numerous other sensors, I have to agree with Salon Boy. If it has the Toyota name on it, it has to meet stringent QS9000 standards. Many of the parts in our Lexus' are manufactured by third parties and quality will always win out over cost. Of course, none of the parts are made by God so defects can occur. The US made filter has to meet the same specs as the Japanese filter.

 

After reading these forums and reasearching I was amazed to find out that the same oil filter ,90915-20004, was cheaper at my local NJ Lexus dealer than it was at a Toyota dealer just down the road. Call before you go, you might not have to make a trip to Toyota. Just an FYI. Happy motoring!

 

The Lexus dealer charged me $8.99 for an RX filter and washer taped to the lid, it sure isn't very large talking about size mattering, and for this engine with documented sludge problems. I am not sure which filter I will buy for the next change, probably just stick with Toyota. $14 seems like nuts!

You're right oil goes in yellow/amber but even after 4k on this Castrol syth, the oil on the stick isn't nearly as dark as the dino was at 2600 when I changed it! I am going to stick with synth and Toyota filters.

 

Just want to bump this up since I found it very helpful. I need to do an oil change soon and wanted to do some research on the filters (wanted one from Japan).

As I read this thread, the more it looks familar. I see familar P/N 90915-20004 filters. Then it hit me! I think I got a case of it from Carson Toyota! I found an old credit card statement and yes, I got them......but I can't find them anywhere in the house

But I thought this was a good thread for those who do their own oil changes.

 

The 90915-20004 filter was designed by Denso and was made in Japan up until Dec. 2003. Then Denso stopped production and introduced an all new design replacement filter, the 90915-YZZD3 and it's made in Thailand http://www.saber.net/~monarch/oilfilD3.JPG The 90915-YZZD3 is the correct filter to use in all Toyota or Lexus V8's (all models and all years).

Denso has been making filters for Toyota for over 40 years. In fact, Toyota owns most of Denso. Historically, Denso has redesigned its oil filters every 7-9 years. With each new design the filters get smaller and this worries some owners. But those worries have always turned out to be unfounded.

 

I guess I got lucky when I brought a case of 20004 filters in May 2004 from Carson Toyota huh? I guess I should give them a call again to see if they have some more in stock.

 

For as much as this has been debated, there has yet to be widespread discussion on problems with these new filters. Agreed, just buy them and use...

Would we feel the same with pooters?

 

RA40, yes, I think there is a point at which one just follows the manufacturers recommendations. I am going to keep buying the Toyo filters and the best oil.

 

Doesn't the 90915-20004 still come on new Lexus cars made in Japan with the V8 engine? I was under the impression that Toyota decided to go with a new filter design made elsewhere for the US market, but still uses the 90915-20004 in Japan. Kind of like how Sony keeps all the good domestic-made Discman models in Japan and ships us the cheaper stuff made elsewhere in Asia.

 

I'll try to check some 2005 Lexus V8's and V6's at a new car show next week to see what filters they have.

 

I stopped using Lexus filters and went straight to K&N Gold. Traps lots of stuff.