Reasons to change your air filter

It is important to change the cabin air filter of your 2017 Subaru Forester for a few reasons:

• Improving the air quality outside the car: A clean air filter can also help improve the air quality outside the car by reducing the emissions of pollutants.
• Extending the life of the HVAC system: The cabin air filter also helps to keep the heating and air conditioning system running smoothly, which helps prolong the life of the system.
• Enhancing the air quality inside the car: The cabin air filter helps to remove pollutants, dust, and other allergens from the air inside the car, which improves the air quality for everyone on board.
• Protecting the engine: A dirty or clogged air filter can restrict the airflow to the engine, which can damage the engine over time.
• Better engine performance: A clean air filter allows for a greater amount of air to reach the engine, which can improve overall performance and fuel efficiency.

By changing the air filter on a regular basis, you can ensure that your Subaru Forester engine and HVAC system are running efficiently, and that the air inside and outside the car is clean and healthy.

The correct cabin air filter for a 2017 Subaru Forester

For any 2017 Subaru Forester, you can use ACDELCO CF3304 cabin air filters. These will be an exact fit and will match the required specifications of your Forester. We always try to recommend the best possible air filters for the money, and these air filters are either a factory recommendation or an equivalent replacement available in today’s market at a reasonable price.

How often should I change my cabin air filter?

In general, it is advised that you replace the cabin air filter once per year, or every 12,500 miles, whichever comes first. If you drive in a highly polluted area, or in an area with high levels of dust, pollen, or other allergens, it may be necessary to change the filter more frequently. Similarly, if you frequently drive on dirt or gravel roads, or if you use your 2017 Subaru Forester for off-roading, change your air filter more often.

It’s also important to pay attention to the signs that the filter needs to be changed, including:

• Increased dust and debris in your car
• Odd smells coming from the vents
• Reduced airflow from the vents

Changing the cabin air filter on a 2017 Subaru Forester

This is a process you can do on your own with some standard tools. Of course, consult your owner’s manual, as well as a factory service manual. The video shown below does a good job of outlining the process.

Tips for changing the cabin air filter on a 2017 Subaru Forester

Be sure to reference the video above before you attempt to replace the air filter on your 2017 Subaru Forester, as well as review your factory service manual. Also, see the tips included below here to help you as you do this repair.

• Follow manufacturer’s recommendations: Follow any specific instructions provided by the manufacturer, such as replacing any clips or fasteners, to ensure the proper fit of the new filter.
• Clean the area around the filter: Before installing the new filter, use a vacuum cleaner or compressed air to clean the area around the filter. This will help prevent debris from getting inside the new filter.
• Orient the filter correctly: Make sure the new filter is installed securely, with the arrows on the filter pointing in the direction of the airflow. Improper installation can lead to reduced filter performance and potentially damage to your car’s ventilation system.

Helpful Tools

You should be able to accomplish a cabin air filter change with some normal tools you likely already have. However, there are a few tools that are specific to this job that you may not have, and we also want to recommend some general tools that you should definitely have in your toolbox if you do not already.

• A can of Compressed Air – use this to clean the area around the filter. This will help ensure that the new filter doesn’t immediately get clogged.
• A Vacuum Cleaner / Shop Vac – You can use a handheld vacuum cleaner or shop vac instead of compressed air, but it won’t displace the the debris quite as effectively.
• A Mask – If you have allergies or sensitivities to dust or other allergens, you should wear a mask to protect yourself when removing and replacing the cabin air filter.
• Screwdriver – In some cases, you will need a screwdriver to remove the cover that houses the cabin air filter.