I change mine at 12K. From the looks of the inside, 25K strikes me as about the limit-for that car, at least.
Fuel Filter
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It seems that opinions vary W I D E L Y on this topic.
Here's my opinion: I'm particular with maintenance, especially fluids- I'm on BITOG, right? - on all of my cars (and cars in my care) and I think that most cars can go a long way on a fuel filter so long as they are under typical duty and using gas from a reputable gas station.
One story: my '93 Camry has two filters, one simple screen in the tank at the fuel pickup and the "replacable" filter under the hood. I replaced the under hood filter at approx 150,000 miles just because I thought it was time and I, of course, cut it open, only to find that there was just about nothing at all in it! The car now has 199,000 miles and there has NEVER been anything wrong with the fuel system.
I find it hard to believe that people are finding tons of debris in the fuel filters!
Unless, there are extenuating circumstances, I would never change the filter before at least 100,000 miles.
Here's my opinion: I'm particular with maintenance, especially fluids- I'm on BITOG, right? - on all of my cars (and cars in my care) and I think that most cars can go a long way on a fuel filter so long as they are under typical duty and using gas from a reputable gas station.
One story: my '93 Camry has two filters, one simple screen in the tank at the fuel pickup and the "replacable" filter under the hood. I replaced the under hood filter at approx 150,000 miles just because I thought it was time and I, of course, cut it open, only to find that there was just about nothing at all in it! The car now has 199,000 miles and there has NEVER been anything wrong with the fuel system.
I find it hard to believe that people are finding tons of debris in the fuel filters!
Unless, there are extenuating circumstances, I would never change the filter before at least 100,000 miles.
In 10 years I can remember ~2 vehicles that actually had performance problems caused by a fuel filter. One was an Explorer that got a bad, bad tank of gas. It was packed full of silt, and rust. Another was in a farm truck that was filled from a contaminated home source by the customer.
You just don't see clogged fuel filters very often in the real world. That being said, it certainly won't hurt anything to change a fuel filter. Change 'em if you got 'em.
You just don't see clogged fuel filters very often in the real world. That being said, it certainly won't hurt anything to change a fuel filter. Change 'em if you got 'em.
But what you DON'T know is what all the screen in the tank has caught in all that time. It may be a complete mess...
The thing that you and lots of other folks simply don't understand, is that lots of time, a dirty fuel filter will only manifest itself when pulling some sort of a trailer, as I do with my Silverado (a 26' Fleetwood travel trailer weighing 7,500 pounds).
No offense, but your Camry just isn't in that category.
I don't want to have to change a fuel filter in the parking lot of a auto parts store (or have to limp it into a dealership), hundreds of miles from home, when I'm trying to experience some rest and relaxation. I'd rather do it in my garage, when it is convenient, when I'm surrounded by all my tools and supplies.
The last time I had one plug while pulling the camper, the only place I could find for help was a John Deere dealership, and it was late on a Friday afternoon. We were out in the absolute middle of nowhere, with the entire family, limping down the shoulder of Interstate 70 at about 30 miles an hour. This was years before cell phones, and I had only planned to drop the camper in their lot, and to call for a tow truck from there.
Fortunately, one of their mechanics took interest in my sorry situation. He knew that they had the correct fuel filter in their parts room (their service department had a Chevy van just like mine), and he stayed late after closing time to help me swap it out (I think it took the better part of an hour just for the engine to cool off enough to even start working on it).
That was all it took for me to learn my lesson, and the mechanic was rewarded generously for his time in ca$h.
What is in the tank (my 93 Suburban) is more like a thick paper sock, I would think almost nothing gets through it that you could feel in your fingers to be a piece of dirt. Sure the real fuel filter filters even better.
The filter in the tank really prevents the fuel pump from jamming. A piece of rust could easily jam the fuel pump and they do not want that to happen.
The filter in the tank really prevents the fuel pump from jamming. A piece of rust could easily jam the fuel pump and they do not want that to happen.
Check with Toyota for an interval. I change mine every 2 years or 40K which ever comes first. I work in a shop that sees a dead fuel pump a week from a clogged filter.
MrSilv,
I agree that a truck that is used for heavy towing is hard to compare to a street driven Camry. I do maintenance things differently for my Suburban than I do for my Camry or other "normal" passenger cars. I also agree with you that preventative maintenance done in your own environement on on your own clock is WAY better than getting stuck on the side of the highway in a storm or the blazing heat, etc. I am very particular with the maintenance on all my vehicles and equipment and even my home (from it's roof to the furnace/AC to water heater, plumbing, foundation, etc.)
BUT, the person who posted the question has a Toyota Yaris, and that car has a lot more in common, and maintenance needs in common to a Camry than to a Silverado used for towing.
The screen in the tank MAY be messy on my Camry (or many other cars), but if it's not hurting anything then who cares? Changing the under hood filter (like I did) would do nothing to clean up the screen in the tank. Are you suggesting that the screen in the tank should be pulled and cleaned periodically? What a PITA that would be!
If I had a new Toyota Yaris, I would NOT change the fuel filter for AT LEAST 100,000 miles, and the car might be better off never changing the filter. And I would NEVER pre-emtively clean the screen in the tank.
The original poster would do well to read this post and heeds its advice.
I agree that a truck that is used for heavy towing is hard to compare to a street driven Camry. I do maintenance things differently for my Suburban than I do for my Camry or other "normal" passenger cars. I also agree with you that preventative maintenance done in your own environement on on your own clock is WAY better than getting stuck on the side of the highway in a storm or the blazing heat, etc. I am very particular with the maintenance on all my vehicles and equipment and even my home (from it's roof to the furnace/AC to water heater, plumbing, foundation, etc.)
BUT, the person who posted the question has a Toyota Yaris, and that car has a lot more in common, and maintenance needs in common to a Camry than to a Silverado used for towing.
The screen in the tank MAY be messy on my Camry (or many other cars), but if it's not hurting anything then who cares? Changing the under hood filter (like I did) would do nothing to clean up the screen in the tank. Are you suggesting that the screen in the tank should be pulled and cleaned periodically? What a PITA that would be!
If I had a new Toyota Yaris, I would NOT change the fuel filter for AT LEAST 100,000 miles, and the car might be better off never changing the filter. And I would NEVER pre-emtively clean the screen in the tank.
The original poster would do well to read this post and heeds its advice.
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