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jca's avatar

At what point do new vehicles usually need new air and fuel filters?

Asked by jca (36062points) March 26th, 2016

I have a Honda CRV, oone year old. 30k miles on it -I drive 100 miles a day round trip to work. Anyway, I’m at the ddealer for oil change. They tell me it’s recommended that at 30,000 miles the filters are replaced.

I told them to take a look and let me know. The guy tells me that the service man will tell me the filters are dirty and should be replaced.

I’m just curious if it’s typical that 30,000 will be the time to get new filters.

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8 Answers

SecondHandStoke's avatar

The air filter? Yes, no question.

Instead of the factory disposable filter I would strongly suggest a modern high tech reusable filter. They provide more efficient airflow that results in improved economy and increased engine output that you can feel immediately. The initial cost is greater but the filter will last for the CR-V’s lifetime (with occasional washing and re-oiling). It will eventually pay for itself in fuel saved.

It also filters the air more effectively. This means less funk enters your engine.

Here is the very model designed for your car http://www.knfilters.com/search/appsearch.aspx?type=auto&year=2015&make=HONDA&model=CR-V&engine=2.4L

Honda has made it simple to install yourself with no tools. The airbox (most likely) clips open and closed). When it’s time to service simply remove the filter, wash it in your sink, allow it to dry, re oil and pop it back in. (Using the kit made specifically for your filter) http://www.knfilters.com/clningacc.htm.

The fuel filters typically can go many thousands of miles without needing replacement. At 30K you do not need fuel filter replacement unless the system has been significantly contaminated.

Use a fuel system conditioner that cleans the fuel system, especially the fuel injectors. Make sure it’s a kind that dehydrates the fuel system. Water inevitably gets in and can freeze. Simply pour the product in a near empty tank then fill up. I do this about three times a year.

JLeslie's avatar

My husband says the air filter when it’s dirty and the fuel filter lasts a long time. Lol. That’s my husband’s official response.

CWOTUS's avatar

Are you sure that they weren’t talking to you about the oil and air filters? It’s typical to change both at least annually – though I’ll be looking into @SecondHandStoke‘s advice regarding a ‘permanent’ air filter for the Camry. I only put on about 10,000 miles per year, and use synthetic oil, so I change the oil once a year, and have probably changed air filters each time, too. I’ve got over 100,000 miles on the car, more than 80,000 of them my own, and I don’t think that I’ve changed the fuel filter yet.

jca's avatar

Oil filter is with the oil change.

The dealer also recommended micron air filter which, he said, is to filter dirt from vehicle interior. I said no to that. He said if you have allergies it’s something that you’d want to replace often. I have no allergies.

SecondHandStoke's avatar

^ Smart to have the oil change performed by the dealer, or at least a shop that understands Hondas and will use genuine Honda parts.

Honda oil filters are designed to function optimally at the oil pressure of the given engine.

The oil drain plug is sealed with a soft aluminum crush washer that must be replaced with every change.

If the crush washer is not replaced the oil hole will not seal at the proper (low) tightening torque. The plug will strip the threads in the hole, eventually requiring replacement of the oil pan (somewhat costly).

Jiffy Lube is not allowed to even look at my car.

kritiper's avatar

Fuel is usually filtered at the pump so yours may last in excess of 100,000 miles.
I replaced my air filter this morning after 160,000 highway miles and it was still pretty good. (Air filters should only be replaced when you can’t see sunlight through them. Replacing them too often just lets in more dirt allowing more rapid engine wear.)
As to fuel system driers, like HEET, they don’t remove the water, only keep it from freezing. Ethanol fuels already have alcohol (which is what HEET is) so don’t require anything as a drier. Keep your tank on the full side in spring, winter, and fall to reduce water condensation in the fuel tank.

CWOTUS's avatar

To @jca‘s comment: The cabin air filter is another animal entirely. It’s not at all related to the engine air filter. Separate systems. I wasn’t even aware of its existence, frankly, until mine was plugged by rodent activity in the cabin air ducts. And when it was replaced, and I had a look at the old one, I was glad to have done it.

jerv's avatar

If you live somewhere dusty, your air filter will clog far faster than the owners manual says. I used to go through a filter about every 9 months when I lived on a dirt road in NH, but went 4 years (~70k miles) on the same filter here in the city. A K&N drop-in filter can do with a mere cleaning about every 10–50k miles depending on how much dust you drive through. Basically, you’re fine so long as you can see light if you take it out and hold it up to the sun, but there is no set time/mileage. Any numbers you see are estimates based on average driving conditions, and you may well not be “an average driver” for those purposes.

As for the fuel filter, OBDII cars (in other words, anything ‘96 or newer) tend to let you know when that goes. If you run the tank much below ¼, you’ll clog it faster than it you keep it full though. Near-empty tanks tend to make the fuel pump suck more sediment than fuller ones.

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