How to Change the Air Filter on a Toyota

Routine maintenance is part of owning any vehicle, and Toyota models are notwithstanding. And if you look in your owner’s manual, you’ll find the maintenance schedule specifically for your model. For every service interval, it tells you that your engine air filter needs to be inspected. That’s because it gets dirty and needs to be replaced from time to time. Thus, you might want to acquaint yourself with how to change the air filter on a Toyota.

Why Does the Air Filter Need to Be Changed?

Seriously, does an air filter even get that dirty? Actually, it does! It filters out several liters of air per minute that the engine is running, collecting dust, pollen, dirty, leaves, and other debris in its folds. And when an engine air filter is dirty, airflow is restricted. That means the engine can’t breathe like it should, and it won’t run as efficiently or powerfully as it could.

How to Change the Air Filter on a Toyota Model

Depending on what Toyota model you drive, there might be slight variances in the process but it’s virtually the same. Here’s a step-by-step method on how to change the air filter on your Toyota.

Step 1: Buy the Genuine Toyota air filter from the parts department at Jay Wolfe Toyota.

One of the helpful staff will assist you to find the exact matching air filter you need for your car.

Step 2: Locate the air filter housing.

Pop the hood latch, open the hood, and put the hood prop rod in place. Then look around for a duct from the engine that enters a black box near the fender. That’s where your air filter will be.

Step 3: Open the air filter housing.

The housing is held closed by either spring clips on either side or potentially a couple of screws. Remove the fasteners and lift the housing lid to uncover the engine air filter on your Toyota.

Step 4: Remove your old air filter.

It’s super easy. Just grab the rubberized lip and lift it out of the box. Check the pleats on the underside to see just how dirty the air filter is. Hold it up to a light and check if you can see light through it. You won’t see light through a dirty filter.

Step 5: Install the new filter and assemble.

Put the new filter in the same way you took out the old filter: pleats facing down. Close up the air filter housing with the same fasteners and close the hood.

How Often Does the Air Filter Need to Be Changed?

The frequency of air filter replacement depends on how much you use your Toyota and in what conditions. It could be as frequent as every oil change. You should always change the air filter at least once a year.