Kia Carnival OEM air filter at 23.7k mi

[Klutch9]

I was surprised how dirty the filter was after a tad over 2 years and under 24k miles. 24k miles/3 years is the recommended interval BTW. It was getting dark out, so it’s hard to see how full the pleats are. Both of the Kia’s we’ve had use the fleece-style element on the dirty side. I think this helps catch more junk and causes less of it to fall back down in the housing, because the bottom of the filter housing was quite clean.

On another note, I absolutely love how easy these filters are to change: flip a lid up, undo the twist locks (or push pins for some aftermarket filters), and slide the filter out. Install is the reverse. So easy. Could literally do it in 5 seconds.

 

[DCDG]

what filters going back in?

 

[Klutch9]

what filters going back in?

I used a Wix. The one for this vehicle actually uses synthetic media per their specs. It has the same number of pleats and even more fleece material. Was really nicely built. Was like 1/8” shorter, but still well within the seal seating surface.

 

[DCDG]

I used a Wix. The one for this vehicle actually uses synthetic media per their specs. It has the same number of pleats and even more fleece material. Was really nicely built. Was like 1/8” shorter, but still well within the seal seating surface.

good choice wonder how the MicroGard would compare to the Wix.

 

[DCDG]

Good way to beat the Wix premium.

 

[daves87rs]

Quite a bit in there…but not bad for a few years, considering our weather……

 

[Bailey28]

How dirty the filter gets depends on where the air enters the intake tract. On our old Hyundai Tucson the filter seemed to stay clean for years. On our Kia Sorento the filter gets dirty quickly. I vacuum out bugs, leaves, and sand out of the airbox every year or so. We don't drive on dirt roads so the accumulation is from city and highway driving.

I would imagine if air is taken from somewhere behind the radiator core support or somewhere in the engine compartment that is shielded the filter would stay cleaner for longer.

 

[oil pan 4]

I was surprised how dirty the filter was after a tad over 2 years and under 24k miles. 24k miles/3 years is the recommended interval BTW. It was getting dark out, so it’s hard to see how full the pleats are. Both of the Kia’s we’ve had use the fleece-style element on the dirty side. I think this helps catch more junk and causes less of it to fall back down in the housing, because the bottom of the filter housing was quite clean.

On another note, I absolutely love how easy these filters are to change: flip a lid up, undo the twist locks (or push pins for some aftermarket filters), and slide the filter out. Install is the reverse. So easy. Could literally do it in 5 seconds.

View attachment 347283

View attachment 347284

Yeah those filters look like they're made out of used dryer sheets and filter about as well.
The inside of the intake of my wife's car would have a coating of dust on it until I switched to a better filter, one that had the felt trash on the outside but was paper backed on the inside.