Stupid Question: When to change OEM intake filter?

[m.wood0213]

As the title says; How often do I need to change the OEM intake air filter? Can it be reused by cleaning like some aftermarket dry filters?

I've looked over my owners manual, and the maintenance plans on Subaru's website and its not in any of the plans up to 30k miles.

I realize most of you switched over to a Perrin, aFe, or K&N which is why I can't find the answer anywhere. Ill be buying a replacement/reusable filter soon.

Thanks in advance

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by m.wood0213

As the title says; How often do I need to change the OEM intake air filter? Can it be reused by cleaning like some aftermarket dry filters?

I've looked over my owners manual, and the maintenance plans on Subaru's website and its not in any of the plans up to 30k miles.

I realize most of you switched over to a Perrin, aFe, or K&N which is why I can't find the answer anywhere. Ill be buying a replacement/reusable filter soon.

Thanks in advance

Well, my short answer would be to clean it when it needs it. If one drives their car on dirt roads a lot, it might be every few thousand miles. If you drive in the PNW, where there is no dust (because it rains all the time), maybe every 10,000 miles.

I'd suggest you take it out, inspect it for big things like leaves and insects and gently brush those off. Then tap it gently on a hard surface (inlet side down). Then take a shop vac and vac it (from the inlet side).

I would say to check and clean it about every time you change the oil (under normal driving conditions).

Maybe replace it about every other oil change (15,000 miles).

Just my thoughts....


humfrz

[kuhlka]

When I replaced my stock filter with a K&N panel filter it wasn't very dirty at all with up around 12,000 miles on it. If you're staying stock, just check it every oil change. If you're interested in going aftermarket, a good panel filter makes an appreciable difference to throttle response and adds a few HP for dirt cheap.

[Wolfking]

Originally Posted by kuhlka

a good panel filter makes an appreciable difference to throttle response and adds a few HP for dirt cheap.

That's exactly why you guys have convinced me to fore go my AFE intake in favor of an HKS drop in filter.