How often do you change air filters?

I honestly have never checked the manual for air filter replacement. As you said, it's more of an "as needed" and not by mileage item. I was always taught its a 12k or once per year item. That being said, when I check it at 12k, it's plenty dirty enough for me. I can't imagine it lasting 30k without getting filthy and effecting gas mileage, not even 20k. Then again, it's different for everyone.

 

Yeah after seeing the OPs filter at 8k I'm scared to check mine lol.

 

Bill - what's the best engine oil to pair with that air filter?

 

I check mine every oil change, and change out about every 2-3 oil changes. I blow them out frequently, especially after dusty wheeling trips.

 

I've found that due to the placement of the stock air intake in the wheel well, these Tacoma engine air filters get much dirtier, faster that any other truck I've owned. Any driving on dirt/logging/forest roads results in all that dust & dirt being directly fed to the intake. That's why I check it often after multiple hunting, fishing, camping trips.

 

Mobile4 8w-17 is what I use. Mine's a Sport with the big balls towing package so I think the capacity is 14 quarts. That's including the filter, of course.

 

Is that the super duper extra cleaning extended filter?

 

Mine compared to a regular guy's filter.

Just sayin'...

 

apparently every 9 years

 

and there I was thinking a couple twigs and seeds was "dirty"...

 

Just did. Mine at 20k.

 

What's the thingy (yea that's a technical term) behind the air filter, with the grate looking thing over it ? When do I replace that ?

 

behind as in on the way to the mass air flow sensor and intake manifold? i don't believe you ever change that screen, thats just there to keep a totally clogged airfilter from getting sucked deeper into the intake path.

 

Yea you take out the air filter and there is a "screen"/ something in the way lol . Sorry for my technical terms I use . I've never seen anything like that before , I thought it was some kinda carbon filter for the engine lol.

I was like man if I take that out I'll get the motor to breathe better !

 

Once a year i replace air cabin and engine air filters regardless of mileage.

 

Awesome

 

These cabin filters are 2 for 9.99 on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MYPFNZ9/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1