Changing your oil is supposed to be the simplest job you can do on a car. So when a mechanic calls one Toyota design choice "the dumbest filter system I’ve ever seen," it raises an uncomfortable question: How did something so basic get so complicated? John Evans (@nekon03), a small-engine expert in Pennsylvania, seems to be in disbelief in a recent TikTok, where he explains how complicated and counterintuitive the engineering is on a 2015 Sienna for a part and function that should be as basic as possible. "It is single-handedly the dumbest filter system I've ever seen in my life," he said in the clip that’s been viewed more than 2,700 times. "Thanks, Toyota. Love your vehicles; hate your filter designs." In the video, Evans walks viewers through Toyota’s cartridge-style oil filter housing, a design the automaker has used across several models and engine families over the past decade. Instead of a traditional spin-on oil filter, the system uses a reusable housing that holds a replaceable paper filter element. In theory, it’s designed to reduce waste and allow oil to drain from the housing before removal. Toyota’s approach includes a small drain plug at the bottom of the housing, along with multiple O-rings that must be replaced during each service. The idea is that technicians can remove the drain plug first, let the oil inside the filter housing empty cleanly, then remove the housing itself with minimal mess. In practice, Evans says, it rarely works that way. "If that little bottom plate is too tight, you just end up unspinning the whole housing," he explains in the clip. "Half the time it doesn’t break loose, which is super fun." Toyota’s factory service manuals specify precise torque values for both the housing and the drain plug, and Toyota sells a dedicated oil filter wrench designed specifically for the housing. Miss those specs, critics argue, and the system becomes far more frustrating than intended. "Just Yank It Off" or Follow the Book? The comments section quickly turned into a familiar debate between DIY mechanics, professionals, and long-time Toyota owners. Some viewers argued the problem wasn’t the design, but how it’s serviced. Several commenters pointed out that over-tightening the housing or drain plug is a common mistake, especially among quick-lube shops that may not follow Toyota’s torque specifications. Others said they simply skip the drain step altogether, removing the housing and dealing with the oil spill instead. Evans acknowledged that approach, admitting he often does the same thing. "I usually end up just yanking it and wiping everything up after," he replied to one commenter. "It’s still a dumb setup." Others defended Toyota’s design outright, noting that once you’ve done it a few times, it becomes routine. One owner said his Camry had nearly 400,000 miles with the cartridge system and that it "got easy" over time. Another argued that understanding how O-rings seal differently from traditional gaskets makes all the difference. A recurring theme in the discussion was comparison to simpler systems. Evans repeatedly pointed to Subaru’s top-mounted, spin-on oil filter design, which can often be removed by hand from above the engine bay with little mess. Several commenters noted that Chevrolet and other automakers have used similar layouts on various engines. That contrast has fueled frustration among Toyota owners who see cartridge filters as complexity for complexity’s sake. Some commenters also noted that Toyota appears to have partially reversed course. Certain newer Toyota models, including later Corollas and some Sienna variants, have returned to conventional spin-on filters. Toyota hasn’t publicly framed the change as a correction, but for owners wrestling with the older setup, it feels telling. Plastic Housings Didn’t Help Part of the anger surrounding Toyota’s oil filter design stems from the fact that some models used plastic filter housings rather than metal. While Evans clarified that his Sienna uses a metal housing, many Toyota and Lexus owners have dealt with plastic versions that can crack or deform if over-tightened. Aftermarket companies now sell metal replacement housings and adapter kits that convert the cartridge system to a traditional spin-on filter. Several commenters said they made the switch simply to avoid future headaches, even if the original setup technically works as intended. Toyota’s defenders often point to the brand’s long-term durability as evidence that the design choice was worthwhile. But Evans wasn’t convinced. "My Chevy truck made it to 300k with a regular filter," he replied. That exchange highlights the real tension beneath the viral moment. Engineers design systems around emissions compliance, packaging constraints, and longevity targets. Owners and independent mechanics, meanwhile, care about time, mess, and repeatability. When those priorities clash, even a brand known for reliability can end up frustrating the people who work on its vehicles most. Motor1 reached out to Evans via phone and email. We’ll update this if they respond. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team