Changing air filter...

[mrrab]

Yes, I did search and even in the owner's manual. I've put probably 15K miles on the paper air filter. It looks dirty so logic tells me I should replace it, but often should you replace your air filter? I heard every other oil change or even 20K miles.

Lame question, but just curious as to what others do. And this is the stock filter that goes in the stock air box. Not a CAI filter.

 

[jow]

Your areas’ environmental conditions can affect this timing. I have not seen any premature needs before the scheduled change in this area as I check before the etc scheduled changes. Next, if I see premature matters/debris that compressed air will clear, I blow it clean. BUT! I only do 3,000 mi a year or 5,000 a good year but a maintenance freak. LOL

 

[MikeInNH]

This may sound stupid...but you change it when needed. Not trying to be funny. But environment plays a huge factor in how often you change the air filter. My summer commute last year I was driving through several road construction sites and I was changing my filter once a month. Now the construction is over..and I'm back to every 3-4 months.

 

[mrrab]

Okay, sounds like I'm due for a new air filter if I haven't changed mine in 1 1/2 years. I just don't get why they cost $15 at Autozone?

 

[Gatafly]

This may sound stupid...but you change it when needed. Not trying to be funny. But environment plays a huge factor in how often you change the air filter. My summer commute last year I was driving through several road construction sites and I was changing my filter once a month. Now the construction is over..and I'm back to every 3-4 months.

3-4 months?. . , ? ouch!! You must drive in dirty conditions. I have about 30k on mine and it still looks great. Probably change it this summer for the heck of it.

 

[kevinpt]

3-4 months?. . , ? ouch!! You must drive in dirty conditions. I have about 30k on mine and it still looks great. Probably change it this summer for the heck of it.

im at 46k and still have a great looking air filter

 

[having fun]

Toyota owner manual states, 30k on a v-6. I would presume about the same mileage on the 8.

 

[MikeInNH]

3-4 months?. . , ? ouch!! You must drive in dirty conditions.

I live off a dirt road...so my filter is always getting some dirt.

Plus I put about 30k+ miles on my vehicle every year.

I also feel that you don't want to change it when the filter is real dirty. Change it BEFORE it gets real dirty. For every one gallon of gas your engine consumes...it also consumes 10,000 gallons of air.

 

[JB.]

...but how often should you replace your air filter?

...just curious as to what others do. .

Depends on the reason you want to replace it.

A dirty one shouldn't affect gas mileage and should actually filter a little better than new, but at some point it will affect power/acceleration.

Fram, who wants to sell as many filters as possible, recommends 12,000 miles. That should tell you something.

It looks like I've averaged about 22k per filter. The truck lives in a dusty desert and has seen about 5k of off-pavement miles.