After cutting apart a SuperTech 4967 the other day, I was curious how the OEM Toyota filters compared.
The local dealer was having a sale on their filters, $5/each if you buy at least two, so I picked up four (enough for the next two years or so), intending to cut up one.
First observations: The Toyota filter is a bit longer than the SuperTech. The gasket comes pre-lubricated with what appears to be grease, but I'm not sure if this is only for protection of the rubber in transit and is supposed to be wiped off and replaced with oil prior to installation. To protect the gasket while the filter is in the box, there's a thin plastic film spanning that end of the filter. The gasket is seated lower in its groove than the SuperTech, and requires a thin tool to remove (the SuperTech one could be removed by hand).
Here it is:
And here it is disassembled:
Unlike the SuperTech, there are no end caps on the Toyota paper element at all. The ends of the filter element have a clear, rigid substance applied evenly to them. Each pleat is pinched together very tightly (sealed with glue?). The pleats appear to be spaced very evenly around the filter, with the exception of where the pleats are glued together to form the shape of the cylindrical element. The pleats are quite stiff.
There is a central metal cylinder with numerous, equally-spaced holes. It appears to be well-constructed, strong, and does not have any burrs or other marks left over from manufacture.
The anti-drainback valve is smaller in diameter than the SuperTech (4.7cm vs 5.4cm). It is constructed of a black rubber. It seals well against the metal cylinder in the center of the filter element and against the base.
The bypass valve consists of a button valve held in place with a coil spring. It appears to open at a lower pressure (measured subjectively with my thumbs) than the SuperTech. Otherwise, construction of the valve is very similar.
Like most similar bypass valves, it sits button-down in a hole at the top of the filter element.
Here's the two filters next to each other. As you can see, the Toyota filter has a longer filter element (7.3cm vs 4cm) than the SuperTech. (Note: The SuperTech's metal end caps fold over the ends of the filter media, and I'm only measuring the exposed height of the paper media, and am not counting any under the end cap. The full height of the SuperTech filter media, including the end cap, is 5.1cm.)
The Toyota pleats are 1.6cm in depth vs. the SuperTech's 1.3cm.
Conclusion:
It seems like a decent filter, well-made, and appears to be worth $5. Based on appearance, build quality, and construction alone, it seems to be worth the additional $0.61 compared to a Fram PH4386 at AutoZone. Not sure how it compares in performance to the $2.57 SuperTech, but even so the price is quite reasonable.
With the exception of two Jiffy Lube oil changes, my 2006 Camry has used these filters exclusively. After I figure out what to do with the remaining SuperTech filter I have (probably use it for the next change, or give it to a friend for their oil change), I'll likely be sticking with the Toyota filters for the life of my car so long as they remain reasonably affordable.
The local dealer was having a sale on their filters, $5/each if you buy at least two, so I picked up four (enough for the next two years or so), intending to cut up one.
First observations: The Toyota filter is a bit longer than the SuperTech. The gasket comes pre-lubricated with what appears to be grease, but I'm not sure if this is only for protection of the rubber in transit and is supposed to be wiped off and replaced with oil prior to installation. To protect the gasket while the filter is in the box, there's a thin plastic film spanning that end of the filter. The gasket is seated lower in its groove than the SuperTech, and requires a thin tool to remove (the SuperTech one could be removed by hand).
Here it is:
And here it is disassembled:
Unlike the SuperTech, there are no end caps on the Toyota paper element at all. The ends of the filter element have a clear, rigid substance applied evenly to them. Each pleat is pinched together very tightly (sealed with glue?). The pleats appear to be spaced very evenly around the filter, with the exception of where the pleats are glued together to form the shape of the cylindrical element. The pleats are quite stiff.
There is a central metal cylinder with numerous, equally-spaced holes. It appears to be well-constructed, strong, and does not have any burrs or other marks left over from manufacture.
The anti-drainback valve is smaller in diameter than the SuperTech (4.7cm vs 5.4cm). It is constructed of a black rubber. It seals well against the metal cylinder in the center of the filter element and against the base.
The bypass valve consists of a button valve held in place with a coil spring. It appears to open at a lower pressure (measured subjectively with my thumbs) than the SuperTech. Otherwise, construction of the valve is very similar.
Like most similar bypass valves, it sits button-down in a hole at the top of the filter element.
Here's the two filters next to each other. As you can see, the Toyota filter has a longer filter element (7.3cm vs 4cm) than the SuperTech. (Note: The SuperTech's metal end caps fold over the ends of the filter media, and I'm only measuring the exposed height of the paper media, and am not counting any under the end cap. The full height of the SuperTech filter media, including the end cap, is 5.1cm.)
The Toyota pleats are 1.6cm in depth vs. the SuperTech's 1.3cm.
Conclusion:
It seems like a decent filter, well-made, and appears to be worth $5. Based on appearance, build quality, and construction alone, it seems to be worth the additional $0.61 compared to a Fram PH4386 at AutoZone. Not sure how it compares in performance to the $2.57 SuperTech, but even so the price is quite reasonable.
With the exception of two Jiffy Lube oil changes, my 2006 Camry has used these filters exclusively. After I figure out what to do with the remaining SuperTech filter I have (probably use it for the next change, or give it to a friend for their oil change), I'll likely be sticking with the Toyota filters for the life of my car so long as they remain reasonably affordable.
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