Air Filter Question

[bwonger06]

When are air filters suppose to be changed? (not talking about cabin air filter)

Last time at i went to get my oil changed (15000 mi) they said my filter was still clean and i never changed it. Is my filter suppose to last this long?

[toyomoho]

Best way is to remove the filter and look at it.

[JMSinMD]

Between 12-15k. I use a K&N who suggests 30k.

[LNGasMan]

They say your air filter works better the dirtier it gets as long as it can still meet the air flow demands of the engine. With that said, I prefer a clean filter so I always have changed mine twice a year. The Toyota website says to replace every 30k.



http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com...=2007&int_id=6

[geoff5093]

Originally Posted by LNGasMan

They say your air filter works better the dirtier it gets as long as it can still meet the air flow demands of the engine. With that said, I prefer a clean filter so I always have changed mine twice a year. The Toyota website says to replace every 30k.



http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com...=2007&int_id=6

How can an air filter work better the dirtier it gets? That makes absolutely no sense.

[LNGasMan]

Originally Posted by geoff5093

How can an air filter work better the dirtier it gets? That makes absolutely no sense.

I heard that years ago while I was learning how to service class 8 trucks (Peterbilts, Kenworths, etc.). If I remember it correctly, the larger particles caught in the filter element can help catch smaller particles that might have passed through the filter if it were clean.

FOD is often a problem with the larger engines due to premature changes of the air filter.

Sounds like a subject for MythBusters!

[LNGasMan]

Originally Posted by geoff5093

How can an air filter work better the dirtier it gets? That makes absolutely no sense.

Should answer your question:

http://www.filterminder.com/fleet/howfilterswork.asp

[touringcamry]

So that's what that thing is for....

All the class 6 trucks I have at work have one of those in the dash and I never knew what it was for. Now I know.

[bwonger06]

Originally Posted by toyomoho

Best way is to remove the filter and look at it.

i dont want to break off anything because i read about earlier problems when people tried to change their filters. oh well, ill wait till my next oil change in about 1000 miles to ask them to change it.

[witxp]

Just wondering what brand everyone is using? 05 Camry 4cl

OEM $20
Fram $15
Purolator $10

[w203]

Originally Posted by witxp

Just wondering what brand everyone is using? 05 Camry 4cl

OEM $20
Fram $15
Purolator $10

When in doubt, go OEM.

The only difference I see would be the price since it doesn't do anything significant for performance.

[marc780]

Toyota and all auto makers have a recommended mileage for changing the air filter, of course. But i've always ignored them since it is impossible for them to know how and where you drive so its just a generic interval. (Usually i change it well beforehand.)
Hold the filter up to the sun or a trouble light, if you can see light through it, inspect for tears and reinstall it. If not, or its torn, change it.

[itzme]

Where IS my air filter, anyway. I looked under the hood for it and didn't see it. Is it easily acccessible for DIY cleaning/changing? I have a 2005 Camy XLE.

[carlo$]

inside the big black box on the drivers side of the hood!

[07XLE]

I use K&N air filters and clean/recharge every other oil change, but that's just me. Haven't put a K&N in the Camry yet, but Vatozone has them on sale right now! I'll be putting one in with my first oil change in a month or so, still have only 2600 miles since I bought it back in August of 06.