air filter intervals?

[electrolover]

i just got to thinking and i have not changed the fuel or air filters since 90k on my wifes explorer. it has 113 now. how long do you guys normally go? i think its suppose to be 15k and im way past that.... but im sure no harm has been done, i used OEM filters. you guys think they can go 30k?

the airfilter still looks ok. conditions are 70-30 intown or highway use mostly. it only sees a 4 mile gravel road about once a month for a trip to gramma's

 

[ahoier]

I usually hold it up to a bright shop light, if I can't see the light thru more than 50% of the filter, it's time to change it.


If you want to believe the marketing hype, FRAM says to check/change their filters every 12k....

I don't follow this though, better to just go by the "damage" (as I call it lol).


Regardless of the condition, I always shake it, and "knock it" out on the ground every 6k or so, just to keep the loos dirt out/off....

I've heard of some people taking compressed air (or an air compressor) to them as well....you could go that route even, but I don't go that far

If you do, I'd recommend spraying it from the "clean" side, to push the debris OFF or OUT of the filter, rather than deep INTO the pleats....


Furthermore, I've found air filters to be one of those things that depend on how you drive, and where you drive. If you drive through mountains, dirt, sand a lot, you're obviously going to have to change it more than someone who drives along paved city streets and highways.....

 

[oggb]

You would be very surprised how often you don't need to change your air filter. I've seen cars with mud and dust literally caked on to the air filter (a cheap oiled paper element filter) and you would have never known it by how the car was running. It didn't change gas mileage, power, or anything else.

 

[needsducktape]

Its cheap insurance. I would change it simply because its easy and inexpensive.

Last week, I changed my Fuel filter on my Mustang with only 12,500 miles - when I tipped the old one on its side, rust colored gunk came out.

One other note, I just bought the car in April -it's been a great car but several times a week the car did not want to start on the first turn. Since I have changed the fuel filter its has started on the first turn every time.

 

[wallyuwl]

In the Vibe I change it every three oil changes, depending on how it looks (18k, since I do 6k OCI). The filter in the Equinox still looks brand new almost with 28k on it. So it depends.

 

[HTSS_TR]

I agree with ahoier, it depends on where you drive. Air filters in cars usually lasted about 50-60k miles, even at the mileage they were not too bad. If there was a filter minder installed in 1 of my cars, I think it will not complain until 100k miles or more.

 

[ltslimjim]

I believe air filter up close examination is a good method, if done with some common sense and reasoning. Either way, re-using it or for long periods, it's not bad to just take it out while draining your oil at whatever interval you do and carefully removing loose dust/debris; compressed air no greater than 15-20 psi may be an option if you are picky.

The fuel filter, OTOH, is more of a guess. I changed mine after 18k, and I considered that pre-mature 'generally' speaking.

For this application I have; and not knowing the vehicle history, I opted to change shy of 30k(see 18k). I wouldn't go beyond 30k on my app's fuel filters, unless an aftermarket was considered the clear/cut best in quality/construction etc. and considering the age of the vehicle/potential from grime/gunk on the bottom of the gas tank.

Currently, I'm using a Purolator fuel filter on the Civic app. I suppose it's hard to know how 'well' one aftermarket is compared to another. I was considering finding a Beck Arnley brand for OEM exact match, perhaps I may try a Honda FF for this car eventually.

 

[FZ1]

26k was too far on my Honda. I'm goin' 18k from now on. Oem AF is the best construction I've seen for my Honda. Highly variable change intervals as to your specific driving. The owners manual time/distance is the max I go.

 

[webfors]

Some people change them too much, others not enough. 18 - 20k miles sounds like a reasonable interval.

 

[Virtuoso]

I change our fuel filter's every 60k.

Air filter..really depends. Every two to three years regardless of mileage. The van's cone filter plugs faster than the Malibu's panel - but it pulls 50% more air too. I can feel the power difference in the van when I change a really dirty one; but mileage never changes.

I'd say I have to change the van's every 30-40k but the car can go 50 or more. I checked it at about 17k and it hardly looked used at all; but most of those miles were traveled during colder, not so dusty conditions.