Replace the air filter element yourself

I dare to say, not even one Malaysian will like breathe in and out haze yet every year we have that problem. That’s why before the season comes, lets take the time to learn how to maintain our car’s air filter system, which is actually pretty easy to fix.

Cars are the thing that I (and most of you I guess) linger on except for the office and home, , so an air filter is especially important in this case. This is how to replace the air filter parts, let’s take a look together!

Referring to Toyota maintenance manual, the maintenance of the air filter is very simple!

The key to changing the air filter parts is to open the cover. As you can see in the picture, removing the clips in three places is enough.

This is the air cleaner cover clip on the far left, a little hidden, under the air cleaner cover. If you can't find it, take a look at the enlarged circle section of the above service manual.

This is the air filter cover clip on the far right, which can be opened very easily.

There is also a wire harness clip in the middle of the air cleaner cover, which can also be detached by hand. So far so good? No need special tools...

After all the three things are removed, you can easily open the lid and take out the filter. 

The city I live in is hot and wet, and the traffic in the city is usually congested. Therefore, it can be replaced every 20,000 kilometers.(the time interval is about a year)

Now the Corolla is over 40,000 kilometers, I just have changed my air filter twice in that time. In case you haven’t caught up yet, the air filter traps dirt and dust from entering the car’s engine.

From L to R, they are: the original air filter when buying the car (used 20000 km), the original air filter element replaced by the service centre (used 20000 km), and the air filter purchased online (new, ready to be replaced).

The back of the filter.FILTHY!

The side of the filter element.

The genuine original air filter that came with the car when you bought the car (used 20000 km).

Original air filter replaced by SC (used 20000 km).

Pure brand original air filter element purchased online (new, ready to replace). Please stick to original size and better to get original brand so that its safer and better.

Nearly can find any differences among the three filter elements (except for the last three English words on the front of it).

From L to R are the packaging of filters from the 4S store, and an online store that claims to provide original products.

Side view of the outer packaging.

The back of packaging.

There are more or less differences on the packaging. To see which is fake and original is another matter I will share sometime later, but this is an original replacement set I bought online.

Why original? This is an important kit and its best to stay original.

Finally, put the new filter element and close the lid.

It’s all done.