MaximusN8

Hi
I been researching air filters and cabin filters and want some in put from fellow 7th generation owners here in the forum, I have been using the Nissan Value Advantage air filter for both mine and my wife's Maximas, But i also want to know what others are using with success besides OEM? I've heard OEM is the best way to go for these cars and to stick with it but have also heard from some people that aftermarket filters such as WIX, STP, Fram etc are good equivalent options. The Nissan Value Advantage is an OEM certified and approved filter from Nissan that is their equivalent to the OEM filter that came with the car. Just looking to see what others are having luck with.

Thank you

VeeQue35DE

I've been using a WIX cabin air and engine air filter for mine and it seems fine. I just make sure to do oil changes every 3 months or 3000 miles, whichever comes first.

MaximusN8

That's good to know, I come across Wix brand filters all the time. I know OEM for some parts is superior but not always when it comes to certain applications due to the fact that on some of the manufacturering they go to the lowest bidder to manufactur their OEM parts and are built cheap. I have full synthetic oil in my car so I change my oil every 6 months or 6000 miles whichever comes first which is usually the 6000 miles because I drive 60 miles per day round trip for work.

VeeQue35DE

I use full synthetic oil too but the stop and go traffic here is HORRIBLE, which wreaks havoc on engines, so I do mine every 3k or 3 months. Takes anywhere from 40mins to over 1 hour to move about 5 miles....

MaximusN8

Wow! I can't blame you for that, That's a smart move!

User1

FSM states 5k miles or 6 months. You're wasting money.

Edit: I responded before reading the entire thread. "Excessive idling" is a circumstance warranting more frequent oil changes according to the FSM, so you may be spot on. Are you really at idle for that long every day???

VeeQue35DE

Yup, Oahu has some of the worst bumper to bumper traffic in the nation, along with some of the worst street conditions....pot holes literally everywhere.

User1

Interesting. Who knew.

MaximusN8

Wow I didn't think it was like that out there, I learn something new everyday..lol

MaximusN8

So I went with a Wix air filter this time around and out of the box the filter looked to be well built, What I did notice upon installation is that it takes some strength to latch the filter box closed with the Wix air filter, seems the fit isn't as precise as the Nissan Value Advantage OEM line. I've been using the OEM air filters in our Maximas since We've owned the cars but opted to try out some aftermarket brands that fellow members on the forum have used with success. Besides the little bit of effort to close the air box the filter seems to be working fine and everything is sealed I haven't got a CEL triggered and the car is running flawlessly! Fingers crossed!

Martinez1031

You could throw a coffee filter in there and it wouldn’t trigger the CEL

MaximusN8

Lol.. I'll remember that next time I need an air filter it'll be a lot cheaper.. lol What brand are you using on yours?

Martinez1031

I put k&n in mine.

MaximusN8

Is that the one that needs to be oiled?

Bificus99

OEM air filter and Rock Auto's finest cabin filter.

Martinez1031

Nope. Drop in and washable

MaximusN8

Nice!

Vinar

I replaced the factory air filter with this Spectre one. Also washable and comes pre oiled.

mahanddeem

I can't see a $10 difference every 15k miles or 2 years that big problem.
OEM always, $25 to $30 at most.

MaximusN8

I was doing OEM up until yesterday and then I came across the STP premium air filter which when I inspected was solid and looked much better built than the OEM so during yesterday's oil change I replaced the OEM air filter with the STP premium. I put a WIX air filter in my wife's 2012 Maxima recently and upon checking it it's doing its job and no problems I'm aware of. I think a lot of the major OEM parts is good and I'm all for going with it whenever possible on the major components, but for the filters there are a lot of after market ones better built than the OEM just my opinion upon experience and research. I guess more of a preference where people are more comfortable with OEM for the peace of mind. I'm not a fan of the air filters that need oiling due to the fact that there have been issues with them being over oiled and causing MAF sensor problems.