Why are Prius cartridge filters pricey?

[OilAnalyzer]

One question leads to another question. Scanning through my options on amazon I see these cartridge filters recommended for my new Prius:

$7 Purolator classic (approximately)
$21 Mobil 1
$23 Amsoil EaO

The spin-on equivalents for my Honda I4 are $3.50, $11, and $15..... about 50-60% as costly. I thought the cartridge filters would be less (no metal housing, no bypass filter, no antidrain valve). What's up with the higher cost?

 

[NHGUY]

Its a hybrid.What you save in fuel you spend in parts...

 

[Klutch9]

Originally Posted By: OilAnalyzer
One question leads to another question. Scanning through my options on amazon I see these cartridge filters recommended for my new Prius:

$7 Purolator classic (approximately)
$21 Mobil 1
$23 Amsoil EaO

The spin-on equivalents for my Honda I4 are $3.50, $11, and $15..... about 50-60% as costly. I thought the cartridge filters would be less (no metal housing, no bypass filter, no antidrain valve). What's up with the higher cost?



I'm in the same boat with you for my Sedona. Rockauto is your friend.

 

[bepperb]

I have no idea, but call your dealer. 4.99 at mine.

 

[OilAnalyzer]

Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Its a hybrid.What you save in fuel you spend in parts...
No because the Honda is a hybrid too (civic). Nice guess though

According to Amsoil testing Toyota filters may be cheap, but only 55% efficiency at 20 microns. No thanks.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Its a hybrid.What you save in fuel you spend in parts...

No.
Many other Toyota engines use an overpriced cartridge filter, even ones that aren't hybrids. Certain versions of the Corolla come to my mind first.

 

[901Memphis]

MAHLE Part # OX416D1 is $6 on rock auto. Check your dealer prices too, it easy to find expensive parts if you don't shop around the Web.

 

[friendly_jacek]

Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Its a hybrid.What you save in fuel you spend in parts...


Fail. The OEM filter is under $5. It's just the aftermarket junk that it's overpriced.

 

[edwardh1]

If you want economy you must be willing to pay for it.

 

[tinmanSC]

All the toyota cartridge filters are expensive. I don't know why. The Wix ones at NAPA are reasonable, as are the dealer filters. Those are the best deals I've found.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: tinmanSC
All the toyota cartridge filters are expensive. I don't know why. The Wix ones at NAPA are reasonable, as are the dealer filters. Those are the best deals I've found.


+1

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: OilAnalyzer
According to Amsoil testing Toyota filters may be cheap, but only 55% efficiency at 20 microns. No thanks.


55% efficiency at 20 microns might be the perfect filter for ZeeOSix.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: OilAnalyzer
According to Amsoil testing Toyota filters may be cheap, but only 55% efficiency at 20 microns. No thanks.

I appreciate and share your concern in this matter, but has Toyota (or anyone else) ever given someone grief in a warranty claim for using an inefficient OEM filter?

When one has an engine claim, they may not test the oil. They may not ask for your receipts. They may not even ask what your OCI was. But, the filter is relatively easy to check in comparison to these other matters.

That being said, check with Rock Auto as others have suggested.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: OilAnalyzer
According to Amsoil testing Toyota filters may be cheap, but only 55% efficiency at 20 microns. No thanks.


55% efficiency at 20 microns might be the perfect filter for ZeeOSix.

For sure, it would make me feel like I have a 99.9% efficient filter at 20 microns with 4 big tears in the media.

 

[Sayjac]

I've found cartridges as rule tend to cost more than spin on. That doesn't seem intuitive as one is actually paying more for less. But I suspect it has to with cartridges not being as popular as spin on oil filters, ie., a smaller portion of total production.

Some cartridges like Wix/NG do come with one/two o-ring gaskets and a crush washer in the box. But still don't think that makes up for the difference in price.

 

[jhellwig]

Amazon is hit and miss with prices on things. Sometimes you can get a deal and sometimes the price is way out of line. You need to know your local prices before you can determine is amazon is high.

 

[hatt]

Originally Posted By: sayjac
I've found cartridges as rule tend to cost more than spin on. That doesn't seem intuitive as one is actually paying more for less. But I suspect it has to with cartridges not being as popular as spin on oil filters, ie., a smaller portion of total production.

Some cartridges like Wix/NG do come with one/two o-ring gaskets and a crush washer in the box. But still don't think that makes up for the difference in price.

Not that it makes up that much more cost but the media seems much more substantial in cartridge filters. I've never seen a wavy used cartridge, even after 9-10K in the two vehicles I've had with them.

I don't know if the Prius uses the same as the Camry but if you have a Grainger near they have the Baldwin filter for $5. I haven't tried it.

 

[OilAnalyzer]

"Cart filters are low volume" sounds like a good explanation. I'll pay the $20 for the 99% efficient Mobil.
Originally Posted By: Garak
has Toyota (or anyone else) ever given someone grief in a warranty claim for using an inefficient OEM filter?
Yes. There was a class-action lawsuit involving 4 million customers who had dead engines & Toyota voided the warranty despite the customers getting Toyota oil changes with dealer-supplied Toyota filters. Using OEM brand doesn't stop a megacorp acting like a schmuck.

 

[Garak]

That's not exactly what I meant. In that case, it wouldn't have mattered what the person used, then.

We know they can at least buck (especially at initial contact with dealer techs) the issue if there's an aftermarket filter there. Has anyone seen a tech at a dealer try to hedge on a warranty complaint because the OEM filter was used?

 

[HangFire]

Originally Posted By: OilAnalyzer
"Cart filters are low volume" sounds like a good explanation. I'll pay the $20 for the 99% efficient Mobil.
Originally Posted By: Garak
has Toyota (or anyone else) ever given someone grief in a warranty claim for using an inefficient OEM filter?
Yes. There was a class-action lawsuit involving 4 million customers who had dead engines & Toyota voided the warranty despite the customers getting Toyota oil changes with dealer-supplied Toyota filters. Using OEM brand doesn't stop a megacorp acting like a schmuck.

"4 million customers who had dead engines"

Four million dead engines? How about 4 million customers in the affected years, many of whom never had any problem, some did, and some where not covered.

"Toyota voided the warranty" uh... a warranty denial to an affected customer is not 4 million voided warranties. Voided warrantees involve things like unauthorized modifications or commercial use of consumer vehicles.

Yes Toyota had problems, and yes there was a lawsuit, and yes there was a settlement available for affected 1997-2002 owners who were refused dealer warranty repairs, but let's avoid the hyperbole please.