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CrossTrek - Cabin Air Filter

Model Years 2024 and Newer
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#81 ·
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#83 ·
gle66208 said:
We purchased a 2024 CrossTrek in 01/2024, currently with 4,500 miles. It was taken in for our first mainstence inspection today, 06/17/2024, and while waiting in the serice area, we received an email that service was needed on the vehilce, which included a new cabin air filter. They had a video of the filter showing it had caught considerable dirt particles and a small leaf.

This is our first Subaru, having owned Toyotas only for over 40 years. In all of the years owning a Toyota I never have had a cabin air filter become dirty so quickly. Which makes me wonder what the differnce would be between how Toyota and Subaru process their cabin air through the filter.

I know this might seem trivial to some, but I just paid $30,000 for a CrossTrek, and then to have the dealer say I needed to pay $54, at 4,500 miles, seems like a joke. I live in the same area of where I owned Toyotas and never have I had to replace a filter that often, which I inspected and replaced on my own.

Is there a difference between how Toyota and Subara process cabin air?
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Usually a scam. They show you a photo of a dirty filter they keep on their workbench to upsell a $15 part for $100.
 
#85 ·
SleepyBear said:
Usually a scam. They show you a photo of a dirty filter they keep on their workbench to upsell a $15 part for $100.
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Not always true. The dealership I work at has no part in these shenanigans.
 
#87 ·
#92 ·
KJ_Aardvark said:
Is K&N the oily one, or am I thinking of another brand?
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Yes you oil the K&N filters.

I have taken my entire air box out now, cleaned everything up. The K&N filter was not at all bad, but I have some time right now so I'm cleaning it all up, it's all drying now.
Usually I will not go to this extreme, I usually will only clean the actual filter itself, but like I say, I have some time right now. I only have a little bit of the K&N filter oil left but I'm sure it will be enough, you really don't need much.
 
#94 · (Edited)
Secret237 said:
Yes you oil the K&N filters.

I have taken my entire air box out now, cleaned everything up. The K&N filter was not at all bad, but I have some time right now so I'm cleaning it all up, it's all drying now.
Usually I will not go to this extreme, I usually will only clean the actual filter itself, but like I say, I have some time right now. I only have a little bit of the K&N filter oil left but I'm sure it will be enough, you really don't need much.
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The oils in the K&N could catch on to the Mass Air Sensor/Mass Air Flow [MAF] and can/could throw a code or worse contaminate the hyper sensitive internals that are thin as hairs and control air fuel mixture. Been there, done that.
 
#98 · (Edited)
Agree. There is a place for the oil type K&N filters. Usually racing or older vehicles with no or not many emissions and sensors. As mentioned above, the MAF sensor is extremely sensitive and a light coating of oil on it could give you a headache.

Also, the in-cabin air filtration has many avenues for crap to go thru and air to escape. It is a not a completely sealed system and a filter, IMO, is only good to keep the larger leaves/dust particles out of the blower fan.
Those 'charcoal' filters do diddly squat IMO. You will still get the exhaust and smells coming into the cabin regardless of charcoal or extra fine filter. Marketing at it's finest. If anything you will muffle the forced air. Just like you do not want to put too dense of a filter in your home's ventilation system, so too in your vehicle. The cheapest and thinnest is fine. Heck, vehicles back in the day didn't even have any filters. I check both engine and cabin filters at least once a year. I usually beat them against a brick wall to get rid of any loose particle. If the filter looks relatively clean after, I re-use it. Otherwise a cheap alternative at wally world has worked with just the same results.

This of course is my opinion. Spend your money as you see fit. ;) (y)
 
#99 ·
Closed Case said:
The oils in the K&N could catch on to the Mass Air Sensor/Mass Air Flow [MAF] and can/could throw a code or worse contaminate the hyper sensitive internals that are thin as hairs and control air fuel mixture. Been there, done that.
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It could, but it doesn't Just use the correct amount of oil.
47,000 miles so far and I have had no problems, only better performance and better fuel mileage.
 
#100 ·
Secret237 said:
It could, but it doesn't Just use the correct amount of oil.
47,000 miles so far and I have had no problems, only better performance and better fuel mileage.
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I'm not that gifted as to what is soaking or a coating and the drying process. One direction rinsing. I like the concept but when you have bathroom and kitchen sinks gets messy.

But I hear you. (y)
 
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