Subaru changed air filters?

The Rusty Gear · 01-24-2005, 09:29 PM

I noticed my OEM replacement air filter looks different fromteh one I just removed. Is this a Subaru change, or is my dealership selling me an after-market filter at OEM prices?

Old (1st) vs New (2nd)

Thanks!

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Scooby Blue · 01-24-2005, 09:54 PM

my subaru filter has subaru written on the sides..

wrx05 · 01-24-2005, 09:58 PM

jeez, i havent seen the filter yet in my car..I only have 7k miles. check out subaruparts.com for some pics to reference.

MF-DIF · 01-24-2005, 10:02 PM

My 04 has the filter on the top. I can't speak for the 05.

00Maddog · 01-24-2005, 10:12 PM

top filter is stock issue, bottom is oem replacement.I like the replacement filters a lot more, they are oiled. the stock is paper. My theory is it's to keep american parts content higher, kinda like the oem champion plugs, but the replacements are ngks.

it's one way to tell if the customer ever changed the filter!

file_id · 01-25-2005, 06:08 AM

I recently replaced my air filter and it was white also. But I don't rememeber if it had a grill. Same thing goes for the fuel filter. Replacement filters are silver instead of black.

DrD · 01-25-2005, 07:29 AM

my car also came with one like the top one - the replacement filters have looked like the lower ones (white media) but didn't have the metal mesh.

z&cobb · 01-25-2005, 12:58 PM

I read (back in 02) that the one at the top was treated with a slow evaporating viscous liquid. Are these available anymore?

Reference: Section 1 Subaru Service manual 2002 Model Year, pg. PM-16

"The filter paper of the element is wetted with a special non-inflammable slow-evaporating viscous liquid. Dirt adhering to this filter paper forms porous laminations with the viscous liquid, which function as a filtration layer to reduce dust penetration into the filter paper."

2dino · 01-25-2005, 01:12 PM

Hi Rusty,

I went through the same experience here in Toronto.

First replacement I bought was like the white dry paper one with metal mesh - apparently this is the `economy' filter Subaru Canada sells.

Thanks to member of this board. I asked dealer about the `true' oiled paper one part # 16546AA020.
A few weeks later they got some in, supposedly from the States..
Price was more than the white one but I forget now.

For your info, filter of a Nissan Maxima VQ30 3/L is in exact same dimensions with oiled paper element (in yellow not red & the frame is plastic not metal) .Cheaper, too....
I do not know whether the red paper element works better than the yellow one of the Nissan. Anyone know?

Chif

vvk · 01-26-2005, 01:29 PM

Subaru uses different suppliers in Japan and North America, that's all. US-made replacement filters are of outstanding quality, by the way.

The "used" filter is still pristine. You do know the replacement interval is 60k miles?

The Rusty Gear · 01-26-2005, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vvk

Subaru uses different suppliers in Japan and North America, that's all. US-made replacement filters are of outstanding quality, by the way.

The "used" filter is still pristine. You do know the replacement interval is 60k miles?

The "used" filter is far from pristine. You are looking at the "front" of the filter. On the back, most of the ridges were black and had all sorts of crap on them. 30k or 60k, it was time to change that filter!

slvrwgn · 01-28-2005, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vvk

The "used" filter is still pristine. You do know the replacement interval is 60k miles?

The manual on my '03 WRX says to replace the air filter every 30k miles.

jonney_boy · 02-13-2005, 05:49 PM

In canada the subaru "cheapo" replacement is a white paper filter that looks to be made by fram (my untrained eye side by side comparison). I belive that the original air filter to be of MUCH better quality but unfortunally have been unable to locate one locally (i'm in BC, vancouver area)

jonney_boy · 02-13-2005, 05:51 PM

*edit*... another thing that i've noticed is the oil filters, while people in the states have oil filters made by purolator up in canada we have our subaru filters made by fram. IMHO they are junk compaired to what came on the car stock..... unfortunally $26 per jdm oil filter was a bit rich for my blood and hence i'm using the oem junk

fliz · 02-13-2005, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slvrwgn

The manual on my '03 WRX says to replace the air filter every 30k miles.

I read 30K in my manual, unless the car is used in harsh or dusty environments, then it's 15K.

Personally, I go 15K. They only cost $11 if you buy them on Nabisco, and it can never hurt to have your car breathe a little easier.

Mike Wevrick · 02-14-2005, 09:32 AM

Yup; it's 30k. I like to check it every 15k and either replace it if needed or just turn it around (you'll notice in the top photo that the dirt concentrates in one area.)

Hayes · 02-14-2005, 11:17 AM

My Forester oem filter was oiled as I think all OEM and replacement filters are oiled. One must inspect these filters carefully as by oiled it appears to be a very light oil sprayed on. My Purolator from AutoZone? was red and oiled as well.

01-24-2005, 09:29 PM	#1
The Rusty Gear Scooby Newbie Member#: 62293 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Edmonton, Canada Vehicle: 2002 Impreza TS Blue	Subaru changed air filters? I noticed my OEM replacement air filter looks different fromteh one I just removed. Is this a Subaru change, or is my dealership selling me an after-market filter at OEM prices? Old (1st) vs New (2nd) Thanks! * Registered users of the site do not see these ads. Last edited by The Rusty Gear; 01-24-2005 at 09:51 PM.

01-25-2005, 01:12 PM	#9
2dino Scooby Newbie Member#: 41907 Join Date: Aug 2003	There is another, true oiled paper OE filter...+ Nissan filter Hi Rusty, I went through the same experience here in Toronto. First replacement I bought was like the white dry paper one with metal mesh - apparently this is the `economy' filter Subaru Canada sells. Thanks to member of this board. I asked dealer about the `true' oiled paper one part # 16546AA020. A few weeks later they got some in, supposedly from the States.. Price was more than the white one but I forget now. For your info, filter of a Nissan Maxima VQ30 3/L is in exact same dimensions with oiled paper element (in yellow not red & the frame is plastic not metal) .Cheaper, too.... I do not know whether the red paper element works better than the yellow one of the Nissan. Anyone know? Chif

01-26-2005, 01:29 PM	#10
vvk Scooby Newbie Member#: 6436 Join Date: May 2001 Location: Holland, PA Vehicle: 1998 Impreza 2.5RS BDP	Different suppliers Subaru uses different suppliers in Japan and North America, that's all. US-made replacement filters are of outstanding quality, by the way. The "used" filter is still pristine. You do know the replacement interval is 60k miles?

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01-24-2005, 09:54 PM	#2
Scooby Blue Scooby Specialist Member#: 12112 Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: SoCal Vehicle: MY00 RS	my subaru filter has subaru written on the sides..

01-24-2005, 09:58 PM	#3
wrx05 Scooby Specialist Member#: 69032 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Maine Vehicle: 2005 Legacy GT Obsidian Black	jeez, i havent seen the filter yet in my car..I only have 7k miles. check out subaruparts.com for some pics to reference.

01-24-2005, 10:02 PM	#4
MF-DIF Scooby Specialist Member#: 62197 Join Date: May 2004 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: 'Murica	My 04 has the filter on the top. I can't speak for the 05.

01-24-2005, 10:12 PM	#5
00Maddog Scooby Specialist Member#: 62410 Join Date: May 2004 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: land of awd Vehicle: 2004 ra'd redrex in 8k w/ STI kit :) DASH	top filter is stock issue, bottom is oem replacement.I like the replacement filters a lot more, they are oiled. the stock is paper. My theory is it's to keep american parts content higher, kinda like the oem champion plugs, but the replacements are ngks. it's one way to tell if the customer ever changed the filter!

01-25-2005, 06:08 AM	#6
file_id Scooby Specialist Member#: 28197 Join Date: Oct 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC	I recently replaced my air filter and it was white also. But I don't rememeber if it had a grill. Same thing goes for the fuel filter. Replacement filters are silver instead of black.

01-25-2005, 07:29 AM	#7
DrD Scooby Guru Member#: 22412 Join Date: Aug 2002 Chapter/Region: SWIC Location: Albuquerque, NM Vehicle: 2012 Legacy 2.5GT Ice Silver Metallic	my car also came with one like the top one - the replacement filters have looked like the lower ones (white media) but didn't have the metal mesh.

01-25-2005, 12:58 PM	#8
z&cobb Scooby Specialist Member#: 12344 Join Date: Nov 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Mountains of Maryland Vehicle: 2002 2JC blue	I read (back in 02) that the one at the top was treated with a slow evaporating viscous liquid. Are these available anymore? Reference: Section 1 Subaru Service manual 2002 Model Year, pg. PM-16 "The filter paper of the element is wetted with a special non-inflammable slow-evaporating viscous liquid. Dirt adhering to this filter paper forms porous laminations with the viscous liquid, which function as a filtration layer to reduce dust penetration into the filter paper."

02-13-2005, 05:49 PM	#13
jonney_boy Scooby Specialist Member#: 28747 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: VIC Vehicle: 06 WRX	In canada the subaru "cheapo" replacement is a white paper filter that looks to be made by fram (my untrained eye side by side comparison). I belive that the original air filter to be of MUCH better quality but unfortunally have been unable to locate one locally (i'm in BC, vancouver area)

02-13-2005, 05:51 PM	#14
jonney_boy Scooby Specialist Member#: 28747 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: VIC Vehicle: 06 WRX	edit... another thing that i've noticed is the oil filters, while people in the states have oil filters made by purolator up in canada we have our subaru filters made by fram. IMHO they are junk compaired to what came on the car stock..... unfortunally $26 per jdm oil filter was a bit rich for my blood and hence i'm using the oem junk

02-14-2005, 09:32 AM	#16
Mike Wevrick RIP 1/19/64 - 7/23/11 Scooby Guru Member#: 24654 Join Date: Sep 2002 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: saraseager.com Vehicle: 1957 Taggart Comet atlasshruggedpart1.com	Yup; it's 30k. I like to check it every 15k and either replace it if needed or just turn it around (you'll notice in the top photo that the dirt concentrates in one area.)

02-14-2005, 11:17 AM	#17
Hayes Scooby Specialist Member#: 11808 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Cape Coral,FL	My Forester oem filter was oiled as I think all OEM and replacement filters are oiled. One must inspect these filters carefully as by oiled it appears to be a very light oil sprayed on. My Purolator from AutoZone? was red and oiled as well.