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Given the high cost of repairs to the AC system (dash disassembled is now often required with a correspondingly high labor charge) that might be an expensive gamble.
What can I say? I live on the edge.
Really though, I don't think some resistance from a filter is going to result in fan motor failure. Also, the 7th gen ES doesn't require dash disassembly for a blower motor replacement. Just removal of some of the glove box components. Lastly, the motor itself is $46.99 from RockAuto. I've replaced timing belts and head gaskets. I can handle a blower motor. Low stakes.
We even survived back in the day when the AC for most cars was of the 470 variety.
That's absolutely true and I'm still not sure how we did that I recall my parents first car with AC - what a luxury it was and my folks were not well off! We're also still here to talk about cars sans seatbelts and airbags!
Really though, I don't think some resistance from a filter is going to result in fan motor failure. Also, the 7th gen ES doesn't require dash disassembly for a blower motor replacement. Just removal of some of the glove box components. Lastly, the motor itself is $46.99 from RockAuto. I've replaced timing belts and head gaskets. I can handle a blower motor. Low stakes.
I recall one time speaking with our local utility company who was repairing one of our HVAC units and he commented that the higher MERV filters actually strain the blower motor. Whether or not that results in an earlier failure - who knows. Probably no issue in the car I agree.
I recall one time speaking with our local utility company who was repairing one of our HVAC units and he commented that the higher MERV filters actually strain the blower motor. Whether or not that results in an earlier failure - who knows. Probably no issue in the car I agree.
I'm sure that increased resistance puts a higher strain on the motor. I guess the question becomes, how much more strain, and is that strain enough to significantly reduce the life of the motor?
If it were a question about the engine, like the debate about oil change intervals, it would be different because the engine is expensive and difficult to replace. But the blower motor is cheap and easy to replace (if you do it yourself....) so it's not something I've given much thought to. Also, with it being a trade-off with better air quality in the vehicle, which translates to health effects in a polluted city, it becomes an easy decision.
I've already given it more thought in this thread than the last two years running the filter
After working in a fluid mechanics research lab I can state that restricting the air flow will actually reduce the load on the motor but will allow it to run faster...at least up to it's synchronous speed. Prove it this way...run your vacuum cleaner. Block the suction to varying amounts with your hand....notice the speed increase? You can also put an ammeter on the power cord and see the reduction in amps. Less load. You would think that it increases load...this is natural. In fact, what happens is that the air (or whatever gas is being moved) simply "churns" within the impeller, going nowhere. It is the movement of air from the low pressure side to the high pressure side that creates the load.
ps: it does not matter if you block the suction or the discharge....less mass moved = lower load.
After working in a fluid mechanics research lab I can state that restricting the air flow will actually reduce the load on the motor but will allow it to run faster...at least up to it's synchronous speed. Prove it this way...run your vacuum cleaner. Block the suction to varying amounts with your hand....notice the speed increase? You can also put an ammeter on the power cord and see the reduction in amps. Less load. You would think that it increases load...this is natural. In fact, what happens is that the air (or whatever gas is being moved) simply "churns" within the impeller, going nowhere. It is the movement of air from the low pressure side to the high pressure side that creates the load.
ps: it does not matter if you block the suction or the discharge....less mass moved = lower load.
That is really interesting. All these years with my central vac I thought when it got a kink in the hose it was straining the motor based on the high pitch it was making while restricted.
I should add that the air “churning” within the impeller is also gradually heating up. Whenever air is compressed it absorbs energy and get warmer (bicycle pump). Simply churning around without being replaced by relatively cooler inlet air will eventually cause problems.
You can get a better deal for the air filter using Denso Genuine Parts from Rock auto, it's 1/2 the cost. Same for oil filters and any other service parts. Replace oil and filter every 3-5k (especially in hybrid) and don't forget the Transaxle fluid (often overlooked)
I’ve noticed more than a few commenters suggest changing transaxle fluid. Many manufacturers, including Lexus, advise against doing this. I’ve seen other dealers push this service; no doubt it’s a moneymaker. Unless a car is driven severely, tranny fluid is not subjected to overheating or blowby gases or fuel dilution. As a trans mechanic from back in the day, I can’t understand the purpose behind fluid changes, especially without access to a filter/screen.
After working in a fluid mechanics research lab I can state that restricting the air flow will actually reduce the load on the motor but will allow it to run faster...at least up to it's synchronous speed. Prove it this way...run your vacuum cleaner. Block the suction to varying amounts with your hand....notice the speed increase? You can also put an ammeter on the power cord and see the reduction in amps. Less load. You would think that it increases load...this is natural. In fact, what happens is that the air (or whatever gas is being moved) simply "churns" within the impeller, going nowhere. It is the movement of air from the low pressure side to the high pressure side that creates the load.
ps: it does not matter if you block the suction or the discharge....less mass moved = lower load.
I’ve noticed more than a few commenters suggest changing transaxle fluid. Many manufacturers, including Lexus, advise against doing this. I’ve seen other dealers push this service; no doubt it’s a moneymaker. Unless a car is driven severely, tranny fluid is not subjected to overheating or blowby gases or fuel dilution. As a trans mechanic from back in the day, I can’t understand the purpose behind fluid changes, especially without access to a filter/screen.
Aisin, who mfgs the transmission has this official messaging for fluid intervals:
I never got why Toyota's official messaging is lifetime fill, when the mfg of the transmission puts out stuff like this. Some theories exist that they were trying to game the total cost of ownership studies or that the lifetime of the first owner who matters most can get away with doing zero fluid changes before effecting MTBF.
I’ve noticed more than a few commenters suggest changing transaxle fluid. Many manufacturers, including Lexus, advise against doing this. I’ve seen other dealers push this service; no doubt it’s a moneymaker. Unless a car is driven severely, tranny fluid is not subjected to overheating or blowby gases or fuel dilution. As a trans mechanic from back in the day, I can’t understand the purpose behind fluid changes, especially without access to a filter/screen.
Originally Posted by coolsaber
Aisin, who mfgs the transmission has this official messaging for fluid intervals:
I never got why Toyota's official messaging is lifetime fill, when the mfg of the transmission puts out stuff like this. Some theories exist that they were trying to game the total cost of ownership studies or that the lifetime of the first owner who matters most can get away with doing zero fluid changes before effecting MTBF.
I have two Lexus dealerships within a 15-mile radius, and they’ve given me completely different answers about transmission fluid changes :
Dealer #1: "It’s a sealed system, don’t worry about it for life. We won’t even do it if you ask."
Dealer #2: "It’s serviceable, and you should do a transmission fluid flush every 30K–50K miles, depending on driving conditions. But if your car has over 100K miles and has never had a flush before, we won’t do it."
Meanwhile, YouTube technicians say Lexus doesn’t officially recommend it, but you should change the fluid.
After working in a fluid mechanics research lab I can state that restricting the air flow will actually reduce the load on the motor but will allow it to run faster...at least up to it's synchronous speed. Prove it this way...run your vacuum cleaner. Block the suction to varying amounts with your hand....notice the speed increase? You can also put an ammeter on the power cord and see the reduction in amps. Less load. You would think that it increases load...this is natural. In fact, what happens is that the air (or whatever gas is being moved) simply "churns" within the impeller, going nowhere. It is the movement of air from the low pressure side to the high pressure side that creates the load.
ps: it does not matter if you block the suction or the discharge....less mass moved = lower load.
This is wild. Completely goes against the common "knowledge" of us normies. So is it also a misconception for home hvac that filters need to be changed every 3 months to avoid dust buildup that will put a strain on the system?
I recall my parents first car with AC - what a luxury it was and my folks were not well off! We're also still here to talk about cars sans seatbelts and airbags!
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