K&N Air Filter & Other Maintenance

[red2002solara]

My 06 Solara SLE V6 hit 34,000 and I decided to tackle some of the maintenance on it. I ordered a K&N High Performance Air Filter, not for the supposed power boost but because it's a permanent air filter that only needs to be cleaned every 50,000 miles.

I installed the air filter yesterday. I'm amazed how much the engineers seem to dissuade owners from doing their own maintenance on their own cars. There are so many components nestled right up to the air filter area that makes it difficult to even get the thing open. But I took my time and was patient and was able to swap in the new air filter.

I must say I was surprised by the pep my car now has. My car just seems raring to fly down the street now. Maybe there is something to this high performance filter. As long as it lasts the lifetime of the vehicle.

I went to the Toyota dealership and picked up a new cabin filter. First, about 4 salespeople swarmed down on me as soon as I pulled in. Once I told them I was there for parts they of course scattered. But it's clear business is clearly down at the dealership (Scottsdale, AZ).

The cabin filter replacement would have been a snap but of course the engineers placed a bundle of wires up on one side of the filter slot. Pulling the filter cartridge was no problem, but I had to show the wiring to the side to get the cartridge back in. But again, some patience and I was able to do it. I'm pleased with the money I saved on labor.

At 40,000 miles I'll be putting in new brake pads (easy to do). The only thing I'll have the dealer do is the tranmission fluid and the oil change.

[Ruski]

maintenance is always great, Keep up the work

[Ilovemylara]

why not jsut change the oil ourelf? Its not that hard actually... i've never had my oil changed I always do it myself. In fact, you should change to synthetic!

[LEE337]

Ha ha ha!!!!
The samething happens to me everytime I go to the stealership too! As soon as I pull up, I get attacked by sales people. Once I chase'em off, I get attacked again when I get in the door. Ive been going there quite a bit for random front clips and brackets for my front end rebuild. I think they recognize me now cuz I see them start to come towards me, then they see who I am and that I'm headed to the parts door.
I have a K&N HP Air Filter as well and I love it. The only thing thats gonna change that is when I upgrade to a CP-E Intake.
You should try and change your oil, you will be surprised in the money you save in a years time.

[Ilovemylara]

yeah for real man ^^ places around here charge like 35 bucks+ for an oil change with cheap oil..But you could DIY and end up spending half that.Theres no better feeling than warm oil all over your hands.. makes you feel like a MAN lol

[red2002solara]

I used to do oil changes on my cars, but pretty much stopped doing that when I moved to Phoenix. I have a carport instead of a garage and it is no fun changing oil when it's 115 outside in the summer (shade doesn't help). So I'm willing to pop the 35 bucks for the oil change, plus I get the dealer to rotate my tires for free each time I come in for the oil change. Down the road when I get the carport converted to a garage and ventilated with a/c I would take up doing oil changes myself again.

Over the weekend I downloaded the TRD catalog and perused through it. Getting the itch to do some upgrades on my Solara and the catalog provided some ideas. Looks like I'm going to have to put some money aside for some new purchases.

[Midias]

^ but its a dry heat right?

[red2002solara]

It's dry heat when you get underneath the car. But after a few minutes and sweat pouring all over your body you start getting that humidity feeling

[Midias]

It's dry heat when you get underneath the car. But after a few minutes and sweat pouring all over your body you start getting that humidity feeling

Yea I am just messing with you. Hell even a dry heat sucks esp when it is over 100 and you are covered in 20+lbs of motorcycle gear.

[mattyboy243311]

This is huge newb question but if you buy an air intake then you dont need a k and n air filter right? Or is it a totally separate part used for added performance?

[Midias]

Correct^

[mattyboy243311]

So its not needed then if I have an air intake? It just goes in as a replacement into the stock air box right?

[mattyboy243311]

??

[GzNutz]

^ Yes, the k&n is a drop in air filter for the stock air box

[red2002solara]

Correct. The K&N Filter I got simply drops into the existing stock air box on the Solara.

I've been really enjoying the Solara with the new filter. I work at home so I don't drive it much. Last night went out with a friend to our favorite wine bar. I gunned it down Shea Blvd; really loving the new pick up I got on it now.