Dealer sold me non genuine oil filters?

Hey everyone doing my first oil change on my 4Runner (1k miles break in oil change)…

bought two oil filters from my local Toyota dealer. Sitting here scratching my head wondering what is going on before I dump new oil in the 4Runner.

the two oil filters look different one is orange with no part number just says Toyota and the other is more of a traditional filter color but doesn’t say Toyota just gives me the part number 27173 and made in Korea. I googled the part number and it’s showing that it’s a NAPA filter for the 4Runner. Both filters are in genuine Toyota filter boxes. The past 12 years of owning Toyotas I don’t ever remember a filter not having a part number on the filter itself. Did Toyota change these up ?

Of course I did this after the dealership closed for the weekend lol. Also I do remember the parts guy there said I could bring my Tacoma filters in and swap them for 4Runner filters since I traded in from a Tacoma. Makes me wonder if someone traded their knock off ebay filters and I got stuck with them? What should I do? Just run the filters? Either way I have no oil in the 4Runner

 

I say use the one that says Toyota. I purchased my filters at my local dealer many times and it looked orange and exactly look like in your pic.

 

Both good.
Toyota has just changed to the orange media

 

you and your truck won’t know the difference between either filter installed.

 

Doesn't matter

 

Both good? Doesn't matter? I don't believe Toyota has ever had their filters made in Korea. Denso in Thailand makes Toyota filters. If you guys use whatever filter brand is cheapest thats your choice, but the OP went to a dealership expecting OEM filters and one was not OEM.

I wouldn't use the Korea stamped filter and return it to the dealer and get what you paid for. As you suggested that was probably a return of some kind and they never opened the box to realize someone pulled a switcheroo on them, and then moved it on to you. Shit happens.

 

I've found oil stays much cleaner for longer after a change using TRD filters, the synthetic filter medium used in the TRD filters is finer than cellulose.

 

thanks for this response… kinda what was inline with what I found on the tundra forum boards. The orange filter just stamped Toyota with no part number seems to be legit as of last month. The Korean made filter is definitely NAPA. If I wanted to run a NAPA filter I would have purchased one. Thanks for reaffirming my thoughts man

 

Is that white filter box in the picture those came with? Shouldn't it be red Toyota parts box? Sounds like someone in that parts department switching original parts with counterfeit and selling originals on the side. Ask if you can see other oil filters, have them bring up several for different vehicles. I'd guess your local parts department is running a scam. It may run all way up to parts management and people at the desk are out of loop. Market is flooded with cheap fakes and many shops taking advantage (body shops scamming insurance by claiming OEM prices while installing generic parts). If fake is somewhat convincing all they have to say "we thought it was original" if got caught doing it.

 

It’s a red box on the outside with what looks like a genuine holographic sticker on top same as the other box and boxes of filters I have for other Toyotas. What threw me off is the box says made in Thailand but the filter says Korea and the part number isn’t a Toyota part number. I don’t genuinely think the parts department is intentionally swapping filters I just think they took a return and didn’t inspect it which in all honesty is a bad business practice to begin with imo returned oil filters should be thrown away anyways for this reason.

I work out of state during the week but will be talking to the parts guy about it Friday when I get home. They only charge $5 a filter and they’ve been good in the past so I’ll continue going through them. On a side note $10 / quart for oem 0w-20 seems ridiculous.. I assume that’s the going rate everywhere. probably will switch to Mobil 1 or Kirkland somewhere down the road

 

If a dealership was caught selling non OEM parts there will be tremendous consequences. Document everything including receipts and if I were you, email to Toyota corporate if you have any question about the authenticity.

 

Super tech is awesome for the price, really just get the best deal you can find the brand of oil doesn't matter

 

Mobil 1 goes on sale at Costco $31 for 6 quarts fairly often ($10 off case sale). No one can beat that price as far as I know.

 

The Last time I bought oil at Walmart I think they had 6quart box of full synthetic havoline for $25. Great deal

 

I regularly buy from Walmart online the Valvoline big jugs for $27 plus tax.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvolin...vP7vigK3PlbF0YU34t8aAvhKEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

Should be good!

 

TRD Oil Filters worth it or snake oil?

 

Nope, just hype

 

Their oil has been tested by Project Farm and it performed quite well.
For my diesel (3gal/change!) I get the 5 gal buckets of T4 from Tractor Supply. Since it doesn’t have friction modifiers I use it in my wet clutch ATVs as well.

 

Super Tech is good and Project Farm tested it that is correct. However, he also concluded that Amsoil and Pennzoil were the best. Based on his review, I ONLY use Pennzoil.

 

Mobil 1 is not the best oil, its just marketed extremely well. After watching hours and hours of videos of the oil analysis I wouldnt add Mobil 1 to my 4R. I do use their oil filters but not their oil. Again, watching hours of videos its Pennzoil for me. I cant afford Amsoil so Pennzoil came in second place and at $26 for 5 qts at Walmart thats what I go with.

 

I agree that Super Tech is decent. However, I dont agree with the last part of your statement. There is absolutely better synthetic oils than others.

 

Off topic, but would you guys use super tech gear oil for diffs and tcase? I normally run Lucas, but I've thought about store brands.

Obviously diff oil isn't changed as often, so the cost shouldn't matter as much, plus it's going to be in there a while.

 

Doesn't matter your vehicle won't know the difference. Miniscule

 

Lol

 

Yep, zero issues running what's on sale as long as it's the proper type/viscosity

 

I've been using Pennzoil as well. Luckily it's also been among the cheaper ones at Walmart, last time I paid approx 25 for the 5qt jug, and 7.50ish for the individual qt.

I use the Super tech syn in my other vehicles.

 

Maybe true, but I've been running Mobile 1 since day 1 when I bought my new 4Runner. Never a single problem with the engine, approaching 200k miles and a lot of time spent grinding through the mountains and deserts. Also use Mobile 1 grease for the zerks on the drive shaft and no problems there either.

OP, both filters ok. Filters I get from dealership look like the Korean filter you posted. I'll check more closely next change to see if they say 'korea' on the bottom.

 

Good video on telling counterfeit from genuine Toyota parts. And another on what can happen with inferior oil filters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVA4RYql9KU&ab_channel=TheCarCareNut
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEWb0491JdQ&ab_channel=TheCarCareNut