Ok. I'm all out of free oil changes so I'm doing my own. I seen the part number for the the Mobil oil filter but it doesn't look anything like the picture I'm seeing on this OEM one. I can get this OEM one for the price of 2 Mobils so I was just going to do OEM.
Personally I prefer to stay with the OEM filter. I get my filters at my Toyota dealer for about half the price of the Amazon filter shown.
If you use a 10,000 mile OCI, then I'd get a decent filter....and the OEM filter is at least decent. Frankly, it's not really going to matter that much. Make sure it's the right filter and then don't worry about it. It's a $20,000 car. Even the over priced OEM unit is cheap by comparison. Good Luck!
You can buy the correct Toyota filter for ~ 1/3 of the price at Amazon if you buy from one of the Toyota dealers that sell on the web, for example $4.21 here: FILTERS for 2012 Toyota Prius Buy several items at once to leverage the shipping charge over a larger purchase, such as engine and cabin air filters, windshield wiper blades, etc.
Ok thanks everyone. I'll just grab these OEM's off amazon since they are $4.70 a pop. And I'm a prime member anyway.
Considering the infrequency and trivial price differences, when it's time for an oil change, I just show up at my local dealership parts counter, get (Toyota brand) oil and filter, and the drain bolt washer. I'm registered with them, so it keeps me on their radar, and I've got a paper invoice for additional proof.
I've always used the Toyota TRD oil filter, because the filter material is superior to the stock Toyota filter and the filter construction is top-notch. I think they're about twice as expensive as the stock unit but I'm interested in the long-term quality of the engine, not saving a few bucks now.
I've noticed that if you look closely at the oil filter boxes on Amazon, some say Made in Japan and most say Made in Thailand. I don't know enough about the differences between the two to give a recommendation but I thought that I would mention it here. The Japanese made filters seem more expensive than the Thai ones and I do feel confident with Japanese manufacturing. When you are looking at the price differences between the filters note the location of manufacture and decide if the Japanese made product is worth the extra amount. By the way, if you pick the Japanese product based on the photo and get the Thai one from Amazon, I suggest that you ask for a refund right away from Amazon.
