To prefill or not to prefill oil filter?

[prmtime101]

Hey guys and gals,
I hear pros and cons for prefilling the oil filter during an oil change. I have read a lot of posts arguing both sides. I did not prefill my oil filter on the last change, but I think that I will from now on. The 2024 Taco's oil filter is horizontal so I am not sure how much good prefilling will do. Did I harm my engine by not prefilling the oil filter? It was my 1,000 mile break-in oil change. What do you all say? Thanks!

Sponsored

 

[WKTJR1]

In over 40 years of changing oil hundreds of times, I've never prefilled a filter.

 

[timetoeatpotatoes]

Not sure it matters. Usually I would, but the filter is sideways you'd end up dumping half of it out.

 

[Pappy]

I prefill when I can (filter orientation). There are no cons to prefilling.

 

[Burgi]

I've never prefilled any oil filters on motorcycles or cars.

 

[Vidman]

I prefill when I can but you won’t hurt the engine if you don’t.. one of my best friends builds racing engines so that’s why I do it

 

[Sagebrush]

My dealer doesn't prefill filters.

 

[Miqie]

If the filter was vertical I would prefill, but with the 2024 Tacoma, it's kind of pointless.

 

[TacoFreak]

I do all of my own oil changes, and I have never prefilled an oil filter, so it can't be necessary. It can't hurt if it is possible, but not really needed. Watch your oil pressure when you start your engine and see how quickly it reaches normal pressure. Years ago some people would remove the coil wire so they could crank the engine and build pressure before allowing it to start, but I haven't seen that done in years either.

As others point out, it would run out and make a mess on most Toyota engines anyway because of their orientation. So you are basically starting with a mostly dry filter every time you start the engine.

 

[diverjm]

I prefill enough to allow the filter media material to be saturated but not over saturated to the point it pours out when installing horizontally.

 

[chasea1989]

As a mechanic, I've never prefilled a filter and I've never seen any kind of damage or anything related to not pre-filling them. Our trucks have a horizontally mounted filter so you can't really pre fill it. But it is down low enough in the system that it's going to get filled within a fraction of a second when you start the truck.

 

[saerandy]

If you want to be 100% technical about the answer, The Motor Oil Geek on YouTube has a lengthy video that says, yes, you should prefill and why. Practically speaking if there is any damage it's extremely minimal and probably not an issue. I don't prefill, however like @diverjm mentions, I do put some in and let it soak into the media. Makes me feel better, but probably TOTALLY unnecessary.

 

[rkohlerbend]

The notion that you should prefill an oil filter is an old wives tale. It serves no purpose.

 

[TacoFreak]

The notion that you should prefill an oil filter is an old wives tale. It serves no purpose.

Truth.

Start your engine when it is cold and watch how quickly the oil pressure reaches normal. Then do it after your oil change without a prefill and you will see it is the same.

 

[Sagebrush]

Here's a good take on it:

Why We DON'T PREFILL FILTERS

Sponsored