Concerns about dealers using Bulk Engine Oil and AZ Filters?

[brumey]

I have a 4R6G on order. In preparation, I am building a maintenance schedule that is more intense that the standard Toyota Schedule. I usually keep my vehicles for 200-300K. For example, 5K oil and filter change, 50K coolant, 60K Transmission, Diffs and transfer case.

I also like to use the Toyota recommended oil and filters, especially in a Turbo engine. This is where I have a question for the better informed and to get general opinions.

I called three Toyota dealers in a 50 mile radius and asked if they use Toyota Oil. All three service advisers stated they do NOT and only use Toyota Oil on request and at an additional cost. One dealer knew the oil was Mobile and Synthetic 0-20. The others did not know the brand of bulk oil. It this common practice and approved or supported by Toyota? I know I can request Toyota oil and will but, it seems this practice is not right and Toyota need more control over dealer parts as important as oil. I had Fords for years and the Ford Dealer would only use the Ford oil in quart containers.

Another issue with two of the three dealers was the filters they use. Apparently Toyota do an "economy" filter and a premium filter. The economy filter having the letters AZ in the part number. One dealer confirmed they use AZ filters and would need to order the other filter for me. One did not know and the other said they stopped using AZ or economy filters. Again, I wonder if this is common practice and if I should worry if a Toyota Dealer is using alternative parts for other maintenance and repair.

I welcome your comments and thank you.

Paranoid soon to be new Toyota owner.

 

[dirtwheeler]

Here's what it looks like on mine. I don't see "AZ" displayed on it, if that helps...

 

[dirtwheeler]

For anyone looking to replace with the same oil filter (part number 90915-10009), it appears to be replaced with a new part number: https://autoparts.toyota.com/products/product/filter-s-a-oil-90915yzzn1 (part number 90915-YZZN1).

You can still find the "old" part number in various places, for example: https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem/toyota~filter~oil~90915-10009.html

Here's a 3-Pack of the "new" ones on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D6SQ1M2T but Amazon is telling me it's not compatible with a 2025 4Runner (I'm guessing their database just needs to be updated since the Toyota website says otherwise - reference actual installed oil filter in my picture, listed as replaced by the new part number on Toyota website in my first link).

 

[brumey]

Watch out for counterfeit Toyota products on Amazon. For the cost dealers charge, its not worth the risk.

 

[CO/ZA]

Toyota OEM oil is made by Mobil 1, as far as I know.

Toyota also does not list a Toyota sanctioned specification for oil in general, unlike GM, Ford, or the European brands but rather just says use ILSAC GF6A with a weight of 0w-20.

This is a broad category, and does not take into account anything specific to Toyota.

If you're wanting to look after your 2.4 Turbo while using emissions compliant 0w-20, you should probably purchase something like Mobil 1 ESP x2 0w-20.

https://www.mobil.com/en/lubricants/for-personal-vehicles/our-products/products/mobil-1-esp-x2-0w-20

European builder approvals like ACEA, Mercedes-Benz, VW, etc. far exceed anything recommended by API or Domestic / Japanese manufacturers. Euros have been doing small displacement, high output turbo engines for decades longer than either the American or Japanese brands.

https://360.lubrizol.com/Specifications/Volkswagen/Volkswagen-VW50800-50900

Once out of warranty, consider kicking up to a 0w-30 or 5w-30 weight ACEA C3 oil for added protection.

 

[LLL1990]

European builder approvals like ACEA, Mercedes-Benz, VW, etc. far exceed anything recommended by API or Domestic / Japanese manufacturers

Mercedes-AMG, Porsche, and Bentley use Mobil 1 as the factory fill oil. I guess it's good enough for a Toyota.

Ford Motorcraft oil is made by ConocoPhillips in the US., and Castrol makes it for Europe. No auto manufacturer makes their own oil. Searching the web it seems that Exxon Mobil makes Toyota oil., I'm guessing that's for the U.S. and probably not globally.

 

[CO/ZA]

Mercedes-AMG, Porsche, and Bentley use Mobil 1 as the factory fill oil. I guess it's good enough for a Toyota.

Ford Motorcraft oil is made by ConocoPhillips in the US., and Castrol makes it for Europe. No auto manufacturer makes their own oil. Searching the web it seems that Exxon Mobil makes Toyota oil., I'm guessing that's for the U.S. and probably not globally.

Right, however there's a distinction in Euro formula oil vs the plain jane version.
You'll see on the shelves at auto parts stores or Walmart that there is a Euro formula available in the same grades as the regular version.

Euro builders have their own stringent approval process on top of the ACEA system.

E.g.

VW 504 / Porsche C30 requires testing in 16 different VWAG engines

https://www.q8oils.com/automotive/the-importance-of-the-vw-504-00-507-00-specification/

"To become approved to VW 504.00/507.00 requires stringent and extensive testing, costing millions of Euros. The first stage is to meet the demanding ACEA C3 specification. This involves a lubricant being assessed in 8 fired engine tests and a number of laboratory bench tests to evaluate its ability in areas such as sludge protection, piston cleanliness, wear protection and biodiesel compatibility. Having gained ACEA C3 approval, the next stage to achieve VW 504.00/507.00, the lubricant must pass a further eight fired engine tests named PV tests, these evaluate additional requirements, including Fuel Economy and after-treatment device compatibility.


Only when the lubricant has passed all the 16 fired engine tests will Volkswagen test the lubricant under their in-house Baumusterprüfung testing regime. This involves testing the lubricant in a minimum of 16 Volkswagen engines, to ensure maximum protection for engines and aftertreatment devices. By the time the oil is approved it can have been subject to over 30 engine tests."

Porsche A40 (high SAPS, older gen Euro oil) has its own testing regime:

"This test will last 203 hours. The engine, and the oil, will go through:
- 4 times the simulation of 35 hours of summer driving,
- 4 times the simulation of 13.5 hours of winter driving,
- 40 cold starts,
- 5 times the simulation of 1-hour sessions on the “Nürburgring” racetrack,
- 3.5 hours of “running-in” program
Measurements on the engine and on the oil will be done at regular intervals, and the following parameter
will be taken into account to grant the approval or not:
- torque curve (internal friction),
- oxidation of the oil,
- Piston cleanliness and ring sticking,
- Valve train wear protection. Cam & tappet wear must be less than 10 μm.
- Engine cleanliness and sludge: after 203 hours, no deposits must be visible.
- Bearing wear protection: visual rating according to Porsche in-house method."

All this aside, Walmart sells Mobil 1 0w-20 Advanced Fuel Economy for $31 / 5qts.
They have the same price for Euro Spec ESP x2 0w-20 .

May as well use the Euro spec oil, since Toyota really doesn't mind.