Air Filter change

[whatugot]

Questions about Air Filter change.

I have 20,000 on my 05' Pilot, is it time to change the air filter?

Is it easy to change?

What kind of brand is good?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thanks all.

[whizmo]

Probably due for a change. Depends on driving conditions. I'd swap it out.

I'd go with the Honda filter. The cost savings of other brands aren't significant for something that goes 20K miles and I've had problems with the fit of aftermarket brands, particularly Frams.

I haven't done it yet, but I've heard it isn't hard to change, although I recall there are some clips/fasteners that are a bit of a bear to get undone. No big deal if you have any experience in this sort of thing.

- Mark

[Bill Balmer]

Just did mine yesterday. I don't know why anyone would say it's difficult. 4 philips head screws and that's it. The cover pulls right out of the intake, and there's one clip for a cable passing by, but you don't really need to undo it - you can simply rotate the cover around it and out of the way.

The one problem I had was only due to age and the fact that's it's been too long since I changed it - one of the screws didn't want to budge - it broke the tip of my long philips screwdriver! No biggy - I squirted it with some lubricant, drove to Sears for my free new Craftsman screwdriver, and when I got home, it came out with only minor grunting on my part.

[NJGuy]

The one problem I had was only due to age and the fact that's it's been too long since I changed it - one of the screws didn't want to budge - it broke the tip of my long philips screwdriver!

Either you're a professional strongman or the screwdriver must have been low quality. wow.

Sometimes the bolts that secure the air filter cover can get pretty tight and a phillips screwdriver won't let you generate enough torque to break them loose. I've seen this happen in all of my Hondas. If it happens to you, a socket wrench with a long extension should make loosening the bolt much easier. I can't remember the size, probably between 8-12 mm. Also, once the bolts are fully disengaged, they are free to rotate but do not come out of the holes in the top half of the cover (which is a good thing because if they fall out they're good as gone). Just a few things to keep in mind. Otherwise, it's an easy 5 min job.

Since I plan on changing my air filters soon, I searched for threads on the topic to find out the best brands. However, I couldn't find much information. The retail price of the Honda filter can reach $10 more than some other store bought brands. Ten bucks difference can be alot if you're buying filters for multiple cars. However, I'm still going to stick with the Honda brand filter since I'm still under warranty and am thinking about the long term reliabilty of my cars. Also, the site sponsor sells the filters for a good price (which should include shipping), so that helps offset the cost difference.

[kerpal]

Originally posted by whatugot
Questions about Air Filter change.

I have 20,000 on my 05' Pilot, is it time to change the air filter?

Is it easy to change?

What kind of brand is good?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thanks all.

Ofcourse its easy... The best brand for your car is an OEM part... Don't use an aftermarket air filter...

[whatugot]

Originally posted by kerpal


Ofcourse its easy... The best brand for your car is an OEM part... Don't use an aftermarket air filter...

Thanks, any specific brand you like or just Honda OEM parts.

[normkol]

I've found Purolator to be equal to OEM. Sometimes, they look so much alike I think Purolator makes the Honda part here in the USA.

Living in NYC, as I do, changing every year is about right. There is alot of dirt in our air.

Have you had the cabin filter changed? You'd be amazed at how dirty it will get in just a year.

[whatugot]

Originally posted by normkol
I've found Purolator to be equal to OEM. Sometimes, they look so much alike I think Purolator makes the Honda part here in the USA.

Living in NYC, as I do, changing every year is about right. There is alot of dirt in our air.

Have you had the cabin filter changed? You'd be amazed at how dirty it will get in just a year.

Hi, I live in nyc, I recently change the cabin filter through the dealer, they charge me an arm and leg. Next time I will do it myself. The old cabin filter was dirty as hell for two years. I plan to change the air filter myself this time.

Questions:

How much difference is the Purolator one verus the OEM honda ones?

Appreciate all your responds.

[normkol]

At regular price, I don't think it's much different.

If you catch Strauss or Pep Boys when they run sales, you could save $7-10.

I've never found the cabin filter in stock in the stores. They stock the older 1998-2002 Accord cabin filters, but I've never found the Pilot or newer Accords on the shelf.

[NJGuy]

Originally posted by whatugot


Hi, I live in nyc, I recently change the cabin filter through the dealer, they charge me an arm and leg. Next time I will do it myself. The old cabin filter was dirty as hell for two years. I plan to change the air filter myself this time.

Questions:

How much difference is the Purolator one verus the OEM honda ones?

Appreciate all your responds.

The Purolator engine air filter is around $13 at Advance Auto Parts, and the cabin air filter is around $23. I don't know if they have a store near where you live, but I bet you could find them for close to the same price at any local auto parts store. If you buy the OEM Honda filters from the dealer, you'd probably end up paying 6-10 dollars more for each. I recently ordered my engine air filter from Hondaacuraworld (along with a few other parts) which was under $18. They charge a $3.95 handling fee per order but offer free shipping. When I change my cabin air filter, I plan on picking up a Purolator cabin air filter at my local Advance Auto Parts store to save a few bucks. Like I mentioned before, I couldn't find any information regarding the peformance of the different brands so I stuck with the OEM engine air filter to ensure the best quality. I'm not as concerned with the cabin filter though since I like to drive with my windows & moonroof partially open.

[rsgawlik]

I just replaced the engine air filter on my 2006 Pilot with 12,000 miles. Yes, those four screws are tight! But you don't have to do much beyond getting them out (not all the way --- they are held captive!). The upper cover lifts up just enough so that you can wiggle the old filter out and wiggle the new one in. The Purelator filter looks like an identical copy of the Honda OEM part. Spray some WD-40 on the screws when they are retracted so you'll have an easier go of it next time.

[mmmmark]

Originally posted by NJGuy
When I change my cabin air filter, I plan on picking up a Purolator cabin air filter at my local Advance Auto Parts store to save a few bucks.

They are cheaper at Advance, and I've purchased ones there for other vehicles I own. What I've noticed about the Purolator cabin filters, however, is that they have about half as many folds in the filter material.

That means you'll have to change it out sooner or it will start restricting air flow. So...they aren't just less expensive--they are cheaper.

[mattchalmers]

Changed out the Air Filter and the Cabin Filter this week end. First time for both, just over 1 year and 29k miles. Used OEM Aif Filter, eBay cabin filter.

Fontside Photo

[mattchalmers]

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