Just replaced my air filter at 11,300 miles. Boy did it need it! I could feel the power difference right away.

K&N aside, there's no after market replacement yet for the 3G TL that I could find. I've discovered that the listngs in a lot of auto parts stores and some on-line parts suppliers like partsamerica.com and many others list the same filter for 2002-2004 TL and will sell you a filter based on those listings while they have nothing listed for 2005. Needless to say, I had to return 2, one that I ordered on line and one from a local auto parts store. A local NAPA store got mine from an area Acura dealer for $24 and change (they paid about $20), less than what you'd pay at a dealer's parts dept. yourself. I'm sure that it's only a matter of time before replacements from companies like Beck-Arnley, Fram, etc. hit the market.

So this is an alert to those of you looking for an OEM type replacement. You're better off asking for a filter for a 2005 even if yours is an '04. Or, ask them if it's the same part# they have listed for the '03, then you'll know and can save yourself a bunch of time.
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Thanks DMZ. I will do so next time!

 

Thanks for sharing. And also points out the fact that you have to consider where you live and what the air is like when figuring how many miles you need to check your air filter.

I have 18,000+ on mine and it is still very clean, but the air is much cleaner down here, so people in more polluted environments really need to check their air filter sooner than recommended.

 

You're welcome, and absolutely right. I've noticed others here from areas like NYC complaining lately about their mileage. Checking the air filter is something everyone needs do.

Mine was virtually jet black ......

 

AutoZone has the STP air filter for 05 TL model SA9600 ( http://autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker...%7ENONE%7C%7EW ) for only $11.99. Only available online.

I hope it is the right one for 3GTL.

 

so the Fram one is not actuallty available yet? I just saw part # at store

 

What's interesting is that when you do a search on autozone.com for air filters, a 2004 search will list the Fram I returned, CA8475 and a Beck-Arnley 042-1590, both of which are for 2002-2003 and do not come up when you search for 2005. These 2 filter #'s are mis-listed all over the place on the net and in many auto parts stores, so beware when shopping. Ask for the filters for 2005.

The STP must have come out recently.
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Furtermore, an oil filter search on autozone reveals 2 different K&N filters between 2004 and 2005. HP-1004 for 2002,3,& 4, and an HP-1010 for 2005. Having seen the pictures of these 2 elsewhere, the shape of the 1010 looks like the Honda OEM.

Whatever 3G TL you have, specify 2005 when filter shopping.

 

Sounds to me like AutoZone has the 2004 TL listed as a 2G instead of 3G. So your suggestion to use 2005 when 3G filter shopping is a good one.

 

It ain't just Autozone. It's all over the place ... BEWARE when filter shopping!

 

Dude imagine your lungs.... , I grew up in the ghetto of Hartford, CT and lived a few blocks from the bus terminal, my mother could never have plants in the house, they would die and I was diagnosed with asthma...when I moved outside the city, my asthma is gone ...

 

My TL filter took a year and a half to get way that despite only 11,300 miles. Everyone who drives in urban areas needs to check their air filter more frequently anyway.

As for asthma, I had it throughout my child & teenagehood years not knowing what from, that is, until I moved out from my parents home starring my father the chimney. That's when all the symptoms magically disappeared. And they don't exist today despite my living in New York City.

 

I went to my local Autozone and picked up a FRAM air filter part #CA8475 because thats what it was listed under...I tried installing it yesterday and it did not fit!!! Good thing I found this thread. Now I gotta go return the air filter.

 

Is it hard to change the air filter? It was easy on my old cars but the TL engine looks a little more complicated to work with.....

 

Exactly I thought. I can only buy Honda(@dealer) or Fram. I haven't seen any other kind at local stoers. I guess I might be stuck with Honda one for higher price.

 

Yeah, I'm gonna go back to autozone and check out the part# for the 05 TL and see if its different or not

 

I think it's time for me to get a new filter.

Has anyone gone to autozone to look up a 2005 air filter?

Was it a successful search? I don't want to have to go to the dealer and pay like 30 bucks for a filter that should only cost like 15 bucks.

 

Both those oil filters will work fine. Old and new style, same threads and all the important stuff. When the 04's came out they were using the regular honda oil filter, that was changed in 05 when acura decided to use the smaller honda one.

 

I just got one from autozone. They carry 3 brands. The Duralast DA741, the Fram CA8475, and STP SA9600. I had to go with the Duralast, which was $11.15 including tax. The quality looks no where as good as the oem one, but I could get 4 of them for what the dealer wanted.

 

This thread came up in my search -- let me tell you all my story. Last summer, in June 2005, I ordered online a replacement air filter for my 2004 5AT. I knew already from looking at it that it needed the sloped edge to fit the cannister properly -- and that all the listed aftermarket filters like Fram or STP or Purolator etc would not fit because their edge was parallel to the filter element casing. The one I ordered online from Delray Acura (Florida), at AcuraOEMParts.com, was the correct filter and it fit perfectly. I wrote down the part number.

Now it's time to do it again. So last week, I ordered the same thing from the same site/same dealer. Other than the price going up by $5 or so, all seemed normal. Today, I got the part and it's a 2G replacement!!! I gotta call them tomorrow to work out the return, and since they're a dealer I gotta give 'em a little hell about the difference. They should know better but hey it's just a part number on an order form to them. I know if it was me I wouldn't even think of comparing. Just can't figure out why I get the right part one year and the wrong part the next. ARRGHHH

But I'm gonna try the STP part at AutoZone, even call the local store to make sure they don't stock it! Hope that works, and thanks Parker75!!!

 

I didn't see the Duralast, but picked up the Fram CA8475. Is anyone sure it fits? It looks awfully thick compared to what I remember...

p.s. I passed on the STP because it looked flimsy...

 

Haven't you read through this thread? Hellloooo.............

 

lol, I was too sleepy at the time and with a couple of beers in me as well just missed it...

 

My '04 and '04 TL (built in July '04 and Mark'05 respectively) both use the same Honda/Acura filter which is oil wetted on the "bottom" and dry element on the "top".

 

^-I was responding to someone who briefly brought up oil filters in this thread.

 

I've been using the STP Air Filter. for 6 months now, no difference in performance or oil color (oil getting dirtier faster). I switched because I think $25.00 for an air filter is crazy. I also change my filter every 7000 miles, which also is a little crazy.

 

Is anyone using the Air Filter WIX Part # 49063 from RockAuto. It says it works with the 2005 Acura TL but all this non-compliance stuff has gotten me questioning it. If not, perhaps someone could post some links to some air firlters that do actually work (btw, the autozone link didn't work for me).

 

Did you click on the [More Info] button and display a picture of the filter?

Looks like the right one to me!

In fact, Rockauto seems to have the right part #'s now for everything on 3G TL's.
I purchased a cabin air filter from them, fits perfectly.

 

I've been meaning to re-post but I was really embarrassed I went to the trouble of calling Delray Acura parts who sent me what I had described here as the *wrong* air filter -- due to the straight/parallel edge. They were nice about it all, and agreed to send me another one, along with a return slip for the first one, after I tried to explain that the edge needed to be sloped. They did that....

But they were a little bit suspicious of my claim that what they sent originally wouldn't fit -- and rightly so. Had I taken the trouble to actually look again at the filter still in my car from last year -- bought from the same place -- I'd have noticed that I'm an idiot. The filter in there was the same part # and had a straight/parallel edge -- not sloped in any way and the new one fit just fine. So now I have a filter for next year!!

I also looked at an STP filter and it probably would fit but it was definitely very flimsy compared to the OEM filter, though 1/2 the price. I'll stick with the OEM part.

I cannot say which after-market filters really do fit. But I've learned to clear my mind of any thoughts about sloping edges and whatnot. Delray will get you an OEM filter for about $28 shipped (Canada might be more!), Rock Auto will do the same, I'm sure -- I get the cabin filter from them. Beats a dealership price, for sure.

 

The one you want is the ATP, #HA5. Unlike the OEM, it's impregnated with charcoal to reduce odors coming in from the outside. I have it. Works great.

 

Thanks DMZ! I was wondering if the Bosch version with the activated charcoal #C3600 was worth the $24 difference.

For anyone interested, here is the URL to the cabin air filter from RockAuto. Also here is the page for the engine air filter

It's just my luck that I ordered the engine air filter from AutoZone yesterday.

 

Even if a fram one is available, I wouldn't touch a fram filter with a 10 ft pole.

 

Why not ?

 

Most studies I've seen showed fram filters to be among the worst. Especially their oil filters.

Air filters are probably different, because they don't have things like anti-drainback valves or endcaps and such. But regardless, when I compared a Fram airfilter with a Puralator or Wix or something, the fram filter media almost reminded me of a coffee filter. The fram air filter media appeared to be a thinner/cheaper material, and had a lot less pleats.

I figure if their oil filters are garbage, why would their air filters be any better?

 

mine is pretty dirty with 54k miles on it. I was thinking about getting a 3.5 inch (at least thats what I think it is) cone filter. Take out the entire OEM box/assy. and just slip the cone on. Also I would bypass the T/B coolant lines. Anyone have any suggestions on this?

 

I haven't seen such studies. Right now, I have a Fram Extended-Guard filter installed, their 7500 mile rated filter.


From the car care Q&A on ConmsumerReports.org :

Q. Who makes the best oil filters?
A. It has been some time since our last oil-filter test, but if you stick with a major brand, like WIX or Fram, which meets or exceeds original equipment specs, you will be just fine. Most important is changing your oil on time and using the proper viscosity of oil.



Also, my best buddy from high school owned an auto parts store for 25 years. He wouldn't put a Purolator filter in his car if his life depended on it.
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To my knowledge the only 2 aftermarket air filters for the TL are K&N and Napa Gold. The stock Acura filter is the best of the three. I say this because I purchased one of each and did some comparisons. The K&N obviously lets more dirt into the engine - this is beyond dispute. When the effect of this shows up is unknown. The Napa Gold filter is a paper filter of the single stage type. This means it's a dry type with only one paper density. OK but nothing to write home about. The stock Acura filter is a two-stage pre-oiled filter. One side is oiled to catch the initial small debris, and the second stage catches the small micron particles. When you consider the price/performance, in my opinion it's the one to go with. Unless you plan to modify your stock airbox, going with a higher flow filter doesn't get you much extra performance. There have been some exhaustive tests posted on the web proving this. An aside, you can extend the life of your filter somewhat by rotating it so more of the filter area "clogs" equally.

 

I believe you guys are both right. Fram makes very good filters. They also make some of the shittiest. Bottom line: Avoid any fram in an orange box. If you go with the cheapeast, you get what you pay for.