Subaru
Outback Engine Air Filter Replacement Guide
How to change the air filter element for
the FB25 2.5L Boxer engine in a 2015 to 2019 Subaru Outback wagon.
 2017 Outback FB25 Engine |
 Two Metal Clips |
| This automotive maintenance tutorial
was specifically written to assist owners of the fifth generation
(2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 model years) Subaru Outback station wagon in cleaning or changing
the engine air filter element for the FB25 2.5 liter four cylinder
Boxer motor. Owners of other Subaru vehicles such as the Forester, Impreza, Legacy, XV Crosstrek, WRX, BRZ, SVX, Tribeca, Exiga, Trezia, Levorg and Baja may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. A few compatible replacement engine air filters with their part numbers include the following: EPAuto GP997, Fram CA9997, Wix 49012, Subaru 16546AA12A, Bosch 5358WS, Purolator A35592, ACDelco A3109C and PotAuto MAP 6049. No tools are needed to access and replace the filter. |
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 Flip Up Second Metal Latch |
 Two Fasteners Released |
| The first two steps
are to open the hood and then move to the left (passenger) side of the
engine bay. The black plastic engine air filter box is located behind the passenger side headlight assembly and in front of the passenger side shock tower. Flip the two metal latches up and off the front half of the air box to release them. |
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 Pull Apart Air Box Halves |
 Lift Out Old Air Filter |
| Pull apart the two
halves of the air box to access the old filter. Carefully pull the old filter out of the front half of the air box. Leave the permanent filter in place in the rear half of the air box (closer to the engine). |
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 Old Air Filter Removed |
 Inspect Both Sides |
| Inspect both sides
of the old air filter. If the old filter is dark grey or black and clogged with soot, dirt, dust, sand, leaves, insects, hair and other debris, it should be replaced with a new element. I recommend buying the EPAuto GP997 engine air filter since it has excellent reviews on Amazon. If you would prefer to have the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) filter, the part number is Subaru 16546AA12A. If the old air filter is still relatively clean and you haven't driven 30,000 miles, just tap out the large debris and remove any fine dust with a vacuum cleaner. |
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 Clean With Vacuum |
 Install New Air Filter |
| Install the new air
filter into the front half of the air box with the pleats facing towards the
front of the car. (The air filter can only be installed facing in the correct direction.) |
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 Insert Tabs Into Slots |
 Snap On Metal Latch |
| Then line up the
black plastic tabs on the bottom of the rear half of the air box into the
slots at the bottom of the front half. Close the air box and flip down the two metal latches to secure the two halves of the air box together. |
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 Secure Second Clip |
 Engine Air Filter Replaced |
| Double check that
the two halves of the air box are flush together at every edge with no part
of the new filter visible. Be sure to record the filter change in your vehicle's service records. For more,
please check out all of my
2015-2018 Subaru Outback DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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