Air Filter

Jansen · December 16, 2005

I have 2004 GMC Sierra that in 13days will be 1yr old. I have 21000 miles on it and I put 20003 of those on it. The air filter indicator still says 100% on my truck. I think it is broke, however, I have not seen an degredation in MPG. Anyone have a similar experience?

Thanks,

Jansen

firstruck · December 17, 2005

No, but I did once see a picture of a bunny with a pancake on its head

Jasonsupafly · December 17, 2005

Open up the box and take a look at the filter....Ive never gone by that indicator...

MAGNUM · December 17, 2005

You'd be suprised how long these gm's go without a filter change. They have a good system for getting air from the right place. I drive about 40% off highway and my filter normally last 75000 or better. I would think an all highway rig would last alot longer than that. In any case I don't think the indicator is broken. Only my opinion.

redbugdave · December 17, 2005

I know the filters are overly expensive. I would not depend solely on that gadget, to tell me when to change it, either. On the older trucks, I always blew the dirty air filters out with an air compressor, when they got dirty. After a time or two of doing that, then I would get a new one. That's what I plan on doing with my 06 filter when it gets plugged up.

Dave

Mr. Smith · December 17, 2005

I know the filters are overly expensive. I would not depend solely on that gadget, to tell me when to change it, either. On the older trucks, I always blew the dirty air filters out with an air compressor, when they got dirty. After a time or two of doing that, then I would get a new one. That's what I plan on doing with my 06 filter when it gets plugged up.

Dave

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That "gadget" is used on thousands of industrial and heavy equipment engines. It is a quick visual indicator of air filter condition in the field. Donaldson make alot of Air Filtration systems.

http://www.donaldson.com/en/index.html

It is highly unlikely GM would have put that on there for decor.

TOTALRECALL · December 18, 2005

I have a 2002 Silverado with the same indicator. Also had a 95 Power Stroke, Ford put the same system on those trucks back then. All I can "assume" from years of over maintaining all my vehicles air filters, is after watching the PS and Chevy, that as others have said, good high capacity air filters hold a ton of dirt before they become ineffective.

If any of you science guys can point so some studies, like with the oil filters, jump on in. What I have decided is that a new filter every couple of years, for me 25,000 miles or so, is fine. I may shake out the old filter after winter, but that is it.

I do track my gas milage or with the PS, the fuel milage so if something was really plugged I would see it, I dont' see it. I guess just because an air filter is dirty, doesn't mean it can't do it's job. I would see some movement on the PS, but just a little - and never in one year.

Ok - poke holes at me!

Mike

BRZ71 · December 21, 2005

I had my truck for over a year too and put about that mileage on it, and mine always said 100 % too. I just went ahead and changed the filter anyway! The high capacity filter is a big filter, and I can see how it would take alot to clog it up!

CapitalTruck · December 26, 2005

I have put 31,000 on my 2004 Silverado 2wd EC 4.8. Indicator says nearly 100%. Opened up filter housing, still looks like new. Hey, maybe the thing actually does work.