'05 Civic OEM filter - time for a change? (pics inside)

[lindermant]

2005 Civic DX value package, 9459 miles on car, OEM factory filter:

I'm approaching my 10K OCI, and I've been debating on whether or not to replace the air filter. The owner's manual says to change it at 30K miles for normal conditions, and 15K miles for severe conditions.

Should I swap it out at 10K miles and be done with it, or can it be run a bit longer?

As a side note, I've been researching which filter to go with when I do change it out. Looking at OEM/Filtech ($13 online), and WIX ($14 locally); no PureOne available that I could find.

I stopped by an out-of-the way parts store while running errands today and they had a WIX filter for my Civic in stock. I did a trial fit with the WIX, while I had the OEM filter off for inspection/pics. I wasn't impressed with the fit at all - it didn't sit flush (plastic frame had a bow in it), and I have my doubts as to whether I'd get a good seal (afraid something might move when I put the top cover on). The OEM unit drops right in with a snug fit...

I'm not ruling the WIX out yet - I'll go back to the store and exchange it for another one and see how that one works out.

 

[harry j]

You just got a bad Wix filter, by far, they are superior to the factory offering. I would recommend their continued use....that is until an Amsoil EA filter or a Pure One is available.

 

[vad]

Your OEM filter is still CLEAN.
Why do you have to change it?

 

[lindermant]

vad,

haven't changed it yet - just bought a WIX today to have on hand.

I posted the pics to get a better feel for how clean/dirty it is. This is the first time I've paid any attention to this sort of thing, and I don't really have a baseline to work with...

I'm planning to keep the OEM filter in until 30K miles; inspecting it every 5K miles or so and monitoring my MPG to see if there are any significant drops.

 

[MC5W20]

Air filters are cheap. No reason to not change them sooner then 30k. Any sooner then 15k and that is probably a waste, unless there are some unusually dusty conditions you drive through.

I wouldn't worry about brand choice and just use whats easier to get locally. If you do fret greatly about brand then your best bet would be to buy in bulk off of an internet dealer. (free shipping deals) Assuming you plan on keeping the car for a long time.

 

[kkreit01]

Get a K&N. Oh, I forgot -- that's a swear word on this forum....

 

[vad]

quote:

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Air filters are cheap. No reason to not change them sooner then 30k.

---

What's the reason(s) to change at 30K or sooner under the normal conditions?

 

[Virtuoso]

Still lots of clean filter material left.

 

[MC5W20]

A reason to change out sooner then 30k would be if you hold the filter up to the sun and you can't see any sunlight through it.

The original poster never stated his driving conditions either.

Trust me VAD I have seen a lot of air filters that have been in service past 30k so judging when to replace an air filter is a very subjective thing.

I have had air filters plug up and cause loss of power in under 15k. It goes to show you guidelines are just that - guidelines.

So I guess it all boils down to how much you rely on printed numbers on a piece of paper.

 

[Colt]

"Get a K&N. Oh, I forgot -- that's a swear word on this forum....

"

For good reasons...

 

[vad]

quote:

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I have had air filters plug up and cause loss of power in under 15k. It goes to show you guidelines are just that - guidelines.

---

A pluged filter would look just horrible.
I've seen plenty of very dirty looking filters that continued to flow just fine.
It's not hard to tell a pluged filter.
You don't have to hold it to the light since it's not that good of an indicatior.

 

[lindermant]

Thanks for all the replies!

Driving conditions (I knew I'd forget something):

Primarily highway commuting, and I drive this car easy (average MPG over the past 9600 miles is 41.3MPG).

My commute is off hours, so I don't spend a great deal of time in traffic jams. One segment of highway is under construction, but other than that the roads are clean. Our winter has been mild as well...

I made a small change to the stock intake system. I removed the intake resonator chamber (black box to the left of the air cleaner housing in pic below):

and routed a shop vac hose from the air cleaner housing inlet down to my fog light cutout on the bumper:

I've been curious as to how much more dirt I'm picking up with this setup. The factory resonator put the air inlet just behind the battery/passenger side headlight.

 

[vad]

If you don't pass many construction zones, under your conditions - not by much.
Your filter should easily last for 40-50K miles without becoming restrictive enough to affect your fuel economy.

 

[MC5W20]

Vad we can agree on one thing. We disagree.

 

[MC5W20]

Lindermant I like your modification. I am consdering doing something very similar to my beater Oldsmobile as I do not like the OEM setup.

 

[lindermant]

MC5W20,

Thanks - I got the shop-vac hose from either Lowes or Home Depot for about $20. Nice snug fit in the factory air cleaner box, holds its shape well, and it's held up fine to underhood temps so far...

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

lindermant, what kind of changes (ex. sound, fuel mileage,) have you noticed with your hose modification? I have an 04 Civic VP and I wanted to put a CAI on it but the auto transmission got in the way and made it difficult. So I was planning on cutting the CAI tube and make it into a SRI but your setup looks interesting.

 

[lindermant]

acm,

With the way I drive it, I've noticed no change in noise level; I'm certain it's noisier than running the stock resonator if I put the loud pedal to the floor, I just refrain from doing that

It's a tough call, but I think there's been a slight increase in fuel mileage. I expected my MPG to drop during the winter months, and it just hasn't. I realize we've had a mild winter here in Northern VA, but even when I ran a full tank of gas through a cold spell I was able to average about the same fuel efficiency. If you're interested, you can read tank-by-tank MPG stats for my car here: http://www.greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/car/1370.html

 

[Mr Nice]

Since the Honda (OEM) air filter has more 'pleats' than the WIX......does that mean it is less restrictive and gets better air flow ??

 

[SpitIX]

I've had WIX air filters that didn't quite fit before. The one for my Nissan truck wasn't even close. I took it back and bought a Fram which fitted perfectly. I have no problem at all using Fram air filters.
BTW, I change the air filters on our vehicles every year regardless of mileage.
Thanks.