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Subaru Forester Engine Air Filter Replacement Guide
How to check or change the FB25 2.5L engine air filter element in a 4th generation 2014 to 2018 Subaru Forester.

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2017 Forester FB25 Engine
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Engine Air Filter Box
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Two Metal Latches
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the fourth generation (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018) Subaru Forester SUV in cleaning or changing the engine air filter element for the FB25 2.5 liter four cylinder motor.

Owners of other Subaru vehicles such as the Outback, 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: Fram CA9997, EPAuto GP997, K&N 33-2304, ACDelco A3109C, Wix 49012, Purolator A35592, Mahle LX 2672 and Bosch 5358WS.

No tools are needed to access and replace the engine air filter.



 
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Release Metal Latches
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Pull Off Second Fastener
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Two Latches 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 and air intake assembly are located just behind the passenger side headlight assembly.

There are two silver metal latches that secure the two halves of the air box together.

Pull up on the front edge of the latches to release them.

Swing up the hinged latches and move them towards the rear of the engine bay.

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Push Back Rear of Air Box
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Lift Out Old Air Filter
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Old Air Filter Removed
An optional step is to loosen the metal hose clamp on the air intake by turning it counterclockwise with a flathead screwdriver or a socket and a ratchet.

Loosening the hose clamp will make it easier to separate the two halves of the air filter box.

Push back the rear half of the air box to access the old filter.

Pull the old air filter up and out of the air box.



 

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Inspect Both Sides
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Clean With Vacuum
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Lower In New Air Filter
Inspect both sides of the old air filter.

If the old filter is dark grey or black and clogged with dirt, dust, hair, soot, pollen, insects, leaves, twigs, sand and other debris, it should be replaced with a new element.

I recommend buying the Fram CA9997 engine air filter since it has excellent reviews on Amazon.

If you prefer to buy the genuine OEM filter, the part number is Subaru 16546AA120.

If the old filter is relatively clean, just tap out the large debris and remove any fine dust with a vacuum cleaner.

Lower the new filter into the air box with the protruding pleats facing towards the front of the car and the square black plastic frame facing towards the rear of the vehicle.

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Line Up Tabs & Slots
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Lower Tabs Into Slots
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Close Air Box
Line up the plastic tabs on the bottom edge of the rear half of the air box with the slots on the front half.

Re-insert the tabs into the slots and close the air box.

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Snap On Metal Latches
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Air Intake Hose Clamp
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Engine Air Filter Replaced
Swing the metal latches up and towards the front of the SUV.

Pop the metal latches back into place over the front part of the air box to secure the two halves together.

If you loosened the metal hose clamp, be sure to tighten it by turning the fastener clockwise with a flathead screwdriver.

For more, please check out all of my 2014-2018 Subaru Forester DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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