What kind of life are you getting on your stock air filter?

[Crunch]

I'm pushing 37K on a truck that I bought in July 2003. I must have the new and improved filter minder, because when the engine is running it's only sucked down about 5/16". It's never come close to the red. I checked it at 20K and it still looked new. History tells me I should change it, on general principle if nothing else, but the manual and what I read here says to let it ride until the filter minder says to change it. Anyone else getting 36,000 miles on the air filter, and if so what kind of life can we expect from it?

 

[SRadke]

I junked my first one at 13k. Filter minder has pulled down since new so I've learned to ignore it.



-Scott

 

[Tony T.]

Original filter minder that came with my truck I had replaced by dealership in 12/03 with 12K miles, it showed 35% from day one of ownership an filter was of course brand new on day one, when replaced in 12/03 it was showing 60% on original filter minder, but original air filter was filty black. I also replaced stock air filter then also with a new stock one. It has been 12K miles in one year since the change out an the replacement filter minder has not moved 0%. I checked stock filter and intake tube back during the summer months an they both still looked in good condition. I'm just going to leave it in an see what happens with the filter minder. I rarely get off road so it may last quite awhile,I'll just keep a eye on it.



BTW I have 24K on truck now.



Tony

 

[roperteacher]

I rodeo and live in dusty conditions. My Filter minder had never moved or ever worked. Never worked on any of my trucks so I don't wait for it to tell me I need a new one. I also change my oil every 3,000 for for principal. (It's free and that helps too!!)... So I change the air filter every three thousand as well! Can't hurt!

 

[KD7GYJ]

10K and the filter minder was sucked down to about 50%, so I replaced it with a new one. Will just do it every 10K miles. They were about 17. 00 from the dealer, so they are inexpensive insurance.

 

[rbattelle]

I checked stock filter and intake tube back during the summer months an they both still looked in good condition. I'm just going to leave it in an see what happens with the filter minder.

Tony

Me too! It's been about 24k since the last filter change at 15k. Filter minder wasn't pulled down last time, but I changed anyways. Now I'm just waiting for the minder to move. I may replace it soon anyways rather than waiting. 24k is an awful long time. On the other hand, the change interval on my wife's Civic is 30k.



-Ryan

 

[DocDetonancour]

The only time I seen my filter minder show restriction was after the techs at the local buzz shop installed my guages. They had to test all the connections. . ya

 

[mrsnow]

I junked my first one at 13k. Filter minder has pulled down since new so I've learned to ignore it.

Same here, friggin' thing was death black. All 13k were highway miles too. Put on afe stage I.

 

[Cattletrkr]

This is not always sound advice, but in this case it just might be. IGNORE THAT DUMB***** MANUAL!!! Also ignore that lousy filterminder, THEY DON"T WORK. At least they don't work well enough to be trusted. The one on my '01 NEVER moved, and the one in my '04. 5 was at 50% ALL the time. If the filter looks dirty enough change it. The most miles I ever went on a single filter was 40K, but I"m one of those guys who will blow them out. Not anymore though, AFE PG7 might not like 125psi rippin' through it.

 

[Crunch]

This is not always sound advice, but in this case it just might be. IGNORE THAT DUMB***** MANUAL!!! Also ignore that lousy filterminder, THEY DON"T WORK. At least they don't work well enough to be trusted. The one on my '01 NEVER moved, and the one in my '04. 5 was at 50% ALL the time. If the filter looks dirty enough change it. The most miles I ever went on a single filter was 40K, but I"m one of those guys who will blow them out. Not anymore though, AFE PG7 might not like 125psi rippin' through it.

My inclination has always been to change it when it looked dirty, but I've heard that logic doesn't hold for our trucks. One thing I've heard is that the filter gets more efficient with use. If that's part of the design, and the filter gets changed earlier than recommended it seems like there is a greater chance of the smaller particulate matter getting through. It comes back to the age-old question: Good flow or good filtration. I guess I'll have to pop the top and look at it again.



And for what it's worth, I don't trust the filter minder much, either.

 

[ssanders60]

air filter life

My '03 H/O never sees a dirt road but will clog

the filter enough to change it at about 17,000 miles,

I wouldn't dare go 30,000 miles without changing it.

That stuff that accumulates in my filter won't vacum

out. The reminder gadget doesn't work, the new

filter will show 65% gone after a month of use.





'03 quad cab, h/o, 48re, SLT, 4x4.

 

[Tony T.]

Filter Minder

The filter minder in the motorgrader I run at work seems to work fine, Its located in the cab to my right on control panel,so I can watch it . This grader I have now is a G720 Volvo/Champion with the Cummins engine. It has a BHAF with a internal LHAF :-laf.



The design of the system really baffles me because the fan intake draws the air inward instead of blowing it out, looks like a small tornado behind me in dusty conditions. I am constantly having to brush leaves, straw or what ever off the rear of the grill. We have three Volvo graders with the Cummins that do this the same. I can take that BHAF out an tap it on the ground an you should see all the dirt that falls out, never had to remove the smaller internal filter yet, it has a smaller gauge for it. The G720B Volvo's we have, have a Volvo engine from what I understand, hav'nt really looked them over good yet. Standing behind them is like a big fan blowing on you, same with our 140H Cats, just the opposite with mine an the other two.



I'm wondering if our filters really have to get clogged up good before they actually start showing restriction on the minder or like you say are worthless. I don't know. Mine on the truck has not moved for a year now, with the newer, susposely right calibrated filter minder.



Tony