Paper Air filter Change interval?

wn1998 · Dec 26, 2004

I just wanted to see how often some of you changed your paper air filter elements?

I have about 5k on an A/C delco air filter on my jeep (wrangler) and was going to change it out at 6k with a napa gold I just purchased.

However, I took a look at the A/C delco and it looked extremly clean and the pleats still looked very white. (not new but still very white) I am thinking I should wait until 11-12k to change it out which will be about 10 months. Does this sound logical?

Marlin · Dec 26, 2004

You should be able to get 30K out of MOST paper filters. Some are much smaller and peopel drive in more dusty areas, but most 30K is a easy target.
Just don;t forget the PCV and fuel filter.

REDDOG · Dec 26, 2004

I have a '98 Chevy K1500 with 148.5k mi. that is still running the factory air filter. I installed a Baldwin Filter-Minder to measure the restriction and the indicator has yet to move. A recent uoa showed silicon at 4 ppm in a 6000 mi oci-the voa on the oil shows 3 ppm on the new oil. A "dirty" air filter actually has better filtration efficiency than a new one, so changing them too frequently not only costs more, but is actually worse for your engine. When to change is harder to determine without being able to measure restriction, but in the past I have gone at least to the manufacturers recommended mileage, and sometimes a great deal longer if the filter looked fairly clean.

REDDOG

Virtuoso · Dec 26, 2004

I've got 21k miles on a Wix filter in my SHO and it's not in bad shape - would probably make it to 40k. I'll be changing it out around 30k, though. Seems a good safe interval around here, will put me at about a yearly change interval.

Really depends on your conditions and vehicle.

wn1998 · Dec 26, 2004

WOW, I thought 10k would be pushing it! I do most of my driving in a subruban area. No extreme dusty conditions. When it is time to change the filter would one be able to tell by looking at it? If so what do you look for?

jorton · Dec 26, 2004

On a sunny day hold it up to the sky and see how much light passes through it, compared to a new filter. It's a judgement call. A new one passes a lot of light.

Steve S · Dec 26, 2004

Like oil changes, air filter life depends upon operating conditions.

Rob Taggs · Dec 27, 2004

I figure when it comes to filters its anyones call. I normally go by manufactors specs since I don't drive on dusty roads. One car I have has an open face hotrod type filter setup. It gets dirty real quick, as soon as it looks even somewhat dirty I change it. If you do have dusty conditions that you drive in maybe a K&N filter might be your best bet. I have several friends that live on country roads, they swear by them over plain paper filters.

jagxjr · Dec 27, 2004

wow, ive really been slipping. i last changed the air filter in my wifes 2000 explorer at 6k miles. it now has 44k on it. gonna go change it tomorrow. its really been whining a lot and getting horrible mileage. maybe thats why.

i did however change the oil every 3k.

sxg6 · Dec 27, 2004

honda specs every 15k for my car, i usually do it every 12k-13k

TR3-2001SE · Dec 28, 2004

Check your milage. If you do this on a regular basis this will tell you when to change. Milage drops when filter gets restricted. It is really the only way to really tell if is time to change.
My guess is more than 40,000 miles is possible for most people. I have 25,000 on my last filter install and milage is still great.

cos · Dec 30, 2004

TR3-2001SE,

I completely agree with ya! All of the OEM air filters that I have changed out after the first 30k (friends and family member's cars) looked good. On my own vehicles I don't have a MPG drop within 30k (or increase with a new filter) and will go 40k on current filter.

Rick in PA · Jan 1, 2005

I usually replace the air filter at 30K (2-3yrs). I replace it more to make sure it doesn't have age related problems (tears, seal failure, etc.) than out of concerns about restricted air flow.

On a related note, I just emptied my shop vac (it has a paper filter element). The filter was totally loaded with a thick crust of debris on the outside of filter. It was sucking fine, it was just getting too heavy to lug the shop vac around.

Neil Womack · Jan 1, 2005

I think cos has got it.

Change on loss of MPG/KPL. If you change your filter and don't get an immediate MPG/KPL bounce then the filter did not need changing.

Around these parts 20k on a diesel and 30k on a gasser.

Kestas · Jan 2, 2005

I'm glad we're having this discussion. On average, I've been changing air filters every 10K for most cars - just didn't like the looks of the filter. After 30 years it going to hard for me to break the habit.

It wasn't a big deal when I could get filters for $1 apiece (Hastings). But now they're over $10.

olympic · Jan 18, 2005

25-30k miles here but there's alot of dust in the air in summer and sand/salt on the roads in winter. The filters look quite dirty after that interval.

wileyE · Jan 18, 2005

If you do have dusty conditions that you drive in maybe a K&N filter might be your best bet. I have several friends that live on country roads, they swear by them over plain paper filters.

quote:

Not in my experience with race dirt bikes. K&N's always let a huge amount of silt through, enough you could see the wear one the intake valves and seats. They were popular in desert racing for only one reason, they would continue to flow when clogged. As a filter they were lousy, I won't run them in anything I want to last. Fwiw I believe "paper" filters are actually glass not paper.

vvk · Jan 18, 2005

Subaru requires air filter changes every 60k miles. Mine look fairly pristine when I change them out.

SAAB filters must be replaced every 30k miles. They also look clean when I replace them.

I think it varies by area, though. I helped my friend who lived in Toronto change air filter in his Honda and it was very dirty after only 30kkm.

Gurkha · Jan 18, 2005

Even though the MAN filters for my OM616 turbo costs me good amount of money, I chage mine at 20,000Km here in India as up in the north, fine dust from the deserts of Rajasthan can do a costly damage to your engine. I also clean my filters regularly at 1500Km as soon as the indicator shows 1/4 way down.

MNgopher · Jan 20, 2005

All depends on the application and the consitions you drive in.

The filter on my Jeep Cherokee is pretty filthy after around 20,000 miles. The cone filter on my F150 is good for well over 30,000 miles. Of course, the filthyone costs all of $5, while the F150 runs closer to $15. All works out in the end, I guess...

Paper Air filter Change interval?

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