Air filter change interval

[Saturn_Fan]

Hi Guys,

I have been reading a lot of UOAs from various folks on this site and am noticing in the comment section, there is often reference to high silicon levels possibly from an overused or undersealed air filter. This begs the question: for your average paper filter like Fram, Wix, AC Delco, etc., what is the BITOG consensus on when to change out a paper filter? My old way of thinking was 12,000 miles, but keep pondering the school of though that says filters can filter better when they are a little dirty. That is, if someone changed out a filter every day of a car's life I posit the filtration wouldn't be that great. My 12,000 mile filter change practice was a result of brainwashing from all of the "just Fram it" commercials from my youth.

What do my fellow BITOGers think.

 

[benjamming]

Air flow is also very important especially on rich running engines (lower emissions) to help with fuel dilute.

 

[Saturn_Fan]

benjammin,

How many miles/months do you go on an air filter?

 

[Gregory]

I go 25k to 30k on an air filter on OEM paper.

 

[Hermann]

Every 20K here. They usually come out looking good. The exhaust gas that is recycled by the EGR makes it look dirty. Usually lots of bugs and stuff but still flowing. Have tried to go 30K but seems gas mileage seem to fall off after 25K. :2cents:

 

[Saturn_Fan]

Thanks for the reply. You know on the radio ads for O'Reillys, Advanced Auto, and Fram, they always say 12,000 mile changes. Probably a good way to move air filters I suppose.

 

[Dagwood]

20,000 Miles works for me.

 

[Mr Nice]

I've always done 30K miles for an air filter.

Even with a new air filter, I haven't noticed a bump in gas mileage.

 

[Kitto]

20K Miles here. I can't stand for a dirty filter.

 

[benjamming]

Originally Posted By: Saturn_Fan
benjammin,

How many miles/months do you go on an air filter?


10k miles on my '02 Accord V6 with a Wix paper filter.

 

[Saturn_Fan]

Hmmm. 10K, 20K, 30K. Looking like I might split the difference and go with 15K.

 

[sanitarium16]

Every 12,000 miles.

 

[ThirdeYe]

Plan on changing mine out sometime between 20-30k miles. It's been in there for almost 15,000 miles now (a little over a year).

 

[n8wvi]

I go 1,000 gallons of fuel, comes to about 30K+ on my car and 26K on wifey's.

Dave

 

[oilnoob425]

I follow the manual, but always check the condition of the filter first. If it's still clean I leave it there, but always make sure you have a new filter on hands in case you do need to replace it.

 

[Saturn_Fan]

Any luck just shop vacuuming the paper filters, or is there dirt trapped in there the suction wouldn't get to?

 

[oilnoob425]

I guess you can vaccume it, but like you said You can see the dirt particles on the paper media and I'm sure it will stay there even after you vacume. I'm not sure if it's ok or not to have that dirt in the filter, but for 10 dollars it gives me a piece of mind to just change to a clean filter once a year. I just did my twice a year car maintenance, changed oil and swiched tires. I checked cabin and air filters. Cabin filter was 1 year old and definetley needed to be changed. Air filter was 1 year old also but in very good condition, so I left it in. I will check it next time in October. I didn't drive a lot last year.

 

[Mr Nice]

I vaccume the cabin filter every 6 months......but the air filter, I don't even bother.

 

[PW01]

I usually change my air filter (Wix) every 15,000 miles

 

[badtlc]

My air filter will remain for the rest of the car's life.