How fast can air filters become "dirty"? (Is dealer lying?)

[kepp]

Hi guys, new here to the forum.
I just had a question about a 2008 Camry LE I have. It has 46,000mi on it now. I just had my 45k service done 2 weeks ago at the Toyota dealership where I purchased my car, and both the engine and cabin air filters were replaced ($$$). Today I had to revisit the dealer to deal with an annoying tire pressure warning popping up constantly, and after their performance of a 19-point inspection they told me my air filters were checked off as dirty (yellow box). They weren't trying to push new ones on me but it struck me as odd. How much dirt can actually get on brand new air filters in 2 weeks/500miles? and What criteria does someone check that off? They just visibly have some small amount of dirt on them and thats it? thanks for any feedback. The dealer has been weird to deal with in general.

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

Definitely not time for a change, unless you're driving through sand dunes and such lol.

You can do it cheaper if you do it yourself, just go to an autoparts store and get the correct filter, it's only a couple of bolts. Dealer over charges for their filters.

If it is really black, it's dirty... if it looks grey or dusty, you can sometimes just bang the loose stuff off and put it back in.

[nevada]

probably something they automatically check off, without looking.

[Zembonez]

I bet it's just something they always check... hoping people will say "go ahead and replace it".

[Will_M]

you should replace the engine air filter on your camry every 25k - 30k miles. For the cabin filter, it should be replaced every 15k - 25k

[Luna2]

Originally Posted by kepp

Hi guys, new here to the forum.
I just had a question about a 2008 Camry LE I have. It has 46,000mi on it now. I just had my 45k service done 2 weeks ago at the Toyota dealership where I purchased my car, and both the engine and cabin air filters were replaced ($$$). Today I had to revisit the dealer to deal with an annoying tire pressure warning popping up constantly, and after their performance of a 19-point inspection they told me my air filters were checked off as dirty (yellow box). They weren't trying to push new ones on me but it struck me as odd. How much dirt can actually get on brand new air filters in 2 weeks/500miles? and What criteria does someone check that off? They just visibly have some small amount of dirt on them and thats it? thanks for any feedback. The dealer has been weird to deal with in general.

Just be cool and ask them to show you the filter...
I would suggest you have made a mark on it first.

[lilajto]

typically you would need to change your air filter around 10-12k. but even if you forget when you changed it you can feel that you arent getting good gas mileage. for me when i had my 03 camry, i would fill up the tank to full and i would be able to drive around 360 before i have to pump gas. when im starting to get bad gas mileage like 300 for the whole tank then i know its getting dirty so i would check it. that's just how i do it tho. maybe different for others

[BlackCam09]

What do you mean you had the 45k service done? My 09 has 56k on it and they tried to get me to do the 35k service and I rejected it, its just a way to get more money from you when they really don't do anything besides check stuff. I just get my oil change, and tires rotated every 5k. Also just get the K&N filter and clean and charge it yourself. The cabin air filter you can also do yourself.

[GT-R]

What is covered in the 19 point inspection anyway?

[kenny1773]

Any dealer I have been to (any brand) has told me my air filter needed changed.

Just for laughs, I took the receipt for the air filter with me to the dealer one time I went (Honda dealer and a warranty issue, the air filter was 2 weeks old which is less than 200 miles for me) that showed I bought a replacement filter and I told them I installed it myself.

Their claim was that even though it had only been in there 2 weeks, it still looked really dirty.

I called him a lying dishonest thief and left.

I HATE MY DEALERS!!! THEY ARE ALL CRIMINALS!!!

[Sevn86]

Originally Posted by kenny1773

Any dealer I have been to (any brand) has told me my air filter needed changed.

Just for laughs, I took the receipt for the air filter with me to the dealer one time I went (Honda dealer and a warranty issue, the air filter was 2 weeks old which is less than 200 miles for me) that showed I bought a replacement filter and I told them I installed it myself.

Their claim was that even though it had only been in there 2 weeks, it still looked really dirty.

I called him a lying dishonest thief and left.

I HATE MY DEALERS!!! THEY ARE ALL CRIMINALS!!!

I agree, I stop people from becoming victims of the air and cabin filter change required every time I'm at the dealer. I just tell them u can do this in less then 4 mins and it only costs 13 bucks where as at the dealer it costs 35 bucks. They usually thank me and refuse to have it changed. I'm sure the dealers hate ppl like me. I just can't watch ppl become victims.

[CamrySExxx]

hold the filter up to the sun or a light, if light can easily penetrate through the filter then you should be good, if not than you should consider replacing it

[hardtopte72]

Like stated above on a Camry the engine is airfilter is good for 20-30k depending in where you drive/live.
The cabin filter is good for much less time. Usually 8k-20k depending on A/C usage and where you park/drive.

Even if you drove through a sand dune there is no way at 500 miles that filter looks anything but new. When I was overseas in the sandbox not even an armored Humvee needed an airfilter at 500 miles. And they are sucking in huge amounts of air.

[Scottysize]

Cabin air filters are usually pretty easy to replace, but the dealer charges an arm and a leg for it. I'm not sure where they are in the Camry. I'm assuming that they are behind the glove box? Where are they?

[JohnGD]

Either the 19-point tech didn't have a clue or the 45K tech didn't change them. Did you look at the filters? Maybe take pictures and post them here.

With the popularity of the insert type engine oil filter element it's already bad enough that some techs will leave the old filter in place. A fast lube place was caught on news camera charging for service but never performed. It's just too bad for the real hard working techs.

If you do used oil analyses then an increase in silicon content is one of the signs your air filter needs to be changed. But normally just hold it against a light and see if any light shines through.

But if the filter looks like it's all grey then maybe have a word with the service manager.

Originally Posted by kepp

Hi guys, new here to the forum.
I just had a question about a 2008 Camry LE I have. It has 46,000mi on it now. I just had my 45k service done 2 weeks ago at the Toyota dealership where I purchased my car, and both the engine and cabin air filters were replaced ($$$). Today I had to revisit the dealer to deal with an annoying tire pressure warning popping up constantly, and after their performance of a 19-point inspection they told me my air filters were checked off as dirty (yellow box). They weren't trying to push new ones on me but it struck me as odd. How much dirt can actually get on brand new air filters in 2 weeks/500miles? and What criteria does someone check that off? They just visibly have some small amount of dirt on them and thats it? thanks for any feedback. The dealer has been weird to deal with in general.