Replacing my air filter at 22k miles. Came out looking much dirtier than I expected. I only occasional tow 8k lb, and don't meet any of the criteria for above normal usage, and mostly highway. Does this look normal?

 

Did the vacuum minder tell you to replace it? They typically last much longer then that.

 

Restriction gauge did not say to replace it... didn't seem to have moved at all... just visually looked very dirty

 

 

changed the one on my 2015 at 15,000 miles. It looked extremely bad and plugged. The minder had not moved but they are cheap and I felt a lot better.

 

 

Anyone try a rewashable one? Something like an K&N but with tighter filtration?

 

MAF/MAP sensors don't care for oil. I'm not a fan of oiled filters on modern vehicles. JMHO, no flaming.

 

Ditto ... seen too many vacuum lines turning to mush on the inside when K&N filters were used.

I'm one of those who changes oil more frequently than specified. Besides, I average 6K miles/year and doesn't the OM say to change the oil every 12 months? So when I do, I'll also change the air filter, fuel filters, and rotate the tires ... a once-a-year preventive maintenance day for me.

 

I have to say that at 25,000 miles mine looked quite a bit worse. I was shocked because the minder didn't indicate there was any kind of problem yet the filter was completely black and covered with bugs. The last oil change (55,000 miles) they didn't check and I forgot to ask them to check. I looked at it a few days later and it looked awful. I was going to simply buy a new one at the auto parts store but the filter there was $125.00!
I drive a lot of highway miles, many of which are in the rain, so I figured my truck was picking up nasty stuff thrown up off the road by 18 wheelers.

 

$125 for the Air Filter? Yikes! Anyone know what the Dealers are getting? Need one now myself. Thanks.

 

Yea I wasnt talking about oiled filters, most of them are dry filters now....

https://afepower.com/afe-power-71-10...d-7-air-filter

 

Filters are less expensive at https://www.dieselfiltersonline.com/ and they're Motorcraft filters. Order $250-worth to get free shipping. I'll be placing my order this weekend for a 3-year supply of oil/air/fuel filters.

 

$79.95 at Ford dealer in OR.

 

I have always relied on the restriction gauge,.... have done so for decades. What most people see is the contaminants and debris on the outside of the pleats of the filter media, but if you look deep inside, there is plenty of surface area of clean media to be consumed. Cut one of these filters open and spread open the pleats, you'll see a lot of paper.