Denso oil filter, what's the deal?

[dan_erickson]

I have been doing some research on Denso oil filters for my Accord. I have a 2015 with the 3.5 V6 and no one has a listing for the 2015's yet. So I have been using the 2014 model year on Rock Auto and the Denso site becasue the the 2014 and 2015 uses the same filter.

Rock Auto list Denso 1502003 part number

Denso website lists Denso 1502006 part number

I do not know why they would have different part numbers. Anyone?

 

[Oro_O]

You are running up against Denso's last-century web-presence and 19th-century like distribution system.

I can't even find a -2006 for sale. The -2003 RA lists is same size/spec as all the other listings for that engine so would work. I'm guessing the Denso web-site you checked is still listing the ORIGINAL filter size they spec'd for that engine a decade or more ago - the J engine has been around since 1996. In the last 10 years, most filter manufacturers have discontinued a lot of filter sizes in favor of just one smaller size that will fit multiple prior applications, but still with the same flow and bpv settings. I'm going to guess the -2003 is the replacement spec for the -2006, and the -2006 is just old info their after-thought corporate web info is still showing.

I went through this a while ago trying to find the original, good sized, high-media filters for a '90s Acura. Since these use m20x1.5 threads, you have fewer options than say a Toyota, which has 3/4x16 studs and thus can poach from the larger US domestic sized supply chain/options.

The Denso filters are quite good and I like them, but I've given up on sourcing them easily and often use Wix, Bosch premium, or Motorcraft "S" line which are pretty much fully equivalent in quality, etc. Also, I can only get the new, smaller spec ones in Denso, so I am using larger size Motorcraft and PureOne filters on our Lexus and Acura now.

 

[dan_erickson]

One would think that the manufacture website would be up to date. Also, It seems to be very difficult to source Denso oil filters other then Rock Auto like you also said.

 

[goodtimes]

You will be getting the Chinese made filter with black adbv. Denso marketing and sales is a mess. They still show after many years a picture on their website and on the filter box that is not what is inside the filter canister. That's ridiculous. They show the Toyota version filter element with a red valve, which does not exist. Then on the new Chinese made filters they say silicon adbv but it is black now, and o ring type gasket. Someone here bought one that had a square cut gasket. The old blue ones are discontinued. I think they don't care much about the North American market except to provide Toyota brand filters.

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: goodtimes
I think they don't care much about the North American market except to provide Toyota brand filters.
To put it in perspective, I think most other places outside the US care more about proper maintenance than we do. Here, we just go to Jiffy Lube or Walmart TLE and get the bottom-of-the-barrel filter installed, so Denso probably doesn't do a lot of retail business in NA.

Present company excepted, of course.

 

[OneEyeJack]

Denso has always believed that you must earn the right to purchase their products. If their listings were up to day then anyone could make a purchase. What fun would that be. At least they make good products.

 

[deven]

why not just go for a fram ultra?

 

[goodtimes]

It's interesting the poor market awareness some marketers have. If they could have gotten the blue Denso filters on some store shelves with that nice box they have (with correct picture, not what they show), they would have sold a lot of filters here. It could be the factory doesn't have the capacity or Toyota wanted the market. One thing is Chinese buyers will now be buying Chinese made Denso filters in their home country, probably in large numbers, nicely protecting their own.

 

[dan_erickson]

I was wondering how long it was going to take to get a Fram Ultra reply lol. I am just exploring other options, and I don't care for the gold can with black grip stuff. It's [censored] ugly even if it is a good filter.