What is it!!

[suntzuaow]

I have a 2012 R-Spec and was looking around my engine compartment. In the very front there is a box with a small air filter. Anyone know what it's for. Looks like it needs to be change and I can't find anything on it.

 

[DRS]

Yes... For the over the radiator air intake... Some of that air from above the radiator goes through that. The rest goes into the big air filter. There is a bridge in the middle of the air slot above the radiator. Left goes to the big air box behind headlights, the right goes to this filter. I replace this one at 15k miles. Although it is pretty clean she doing to.

They have a very interesting air intake system. Complex. Also, the big air draw down behind headlights you will see has a flapper valve held closed by strong magnets. It only open under certain air draw conditions to allow more air in. I would live to interview the actual engineer who came up with complex design. And hear his/her take on the specific parts of the design and its benefits to him.

Seems to me this is designed to keep the engine very quiet intake, yet keep up the power. And rapid air velocity, cooler air, for better mileage under part throttle (and to be dead silent under normal driving conditions).

Some folks have taken out the flapper all together. Or modified the magnets to open sooner. Reports are mixed. Some say works great, others have put it back to stock.

 

[FastDEW1]

Interesting.... So if I go to the dealer and ask for a new air filter - will they give me a choice or just hand me both filters?

 

[DRS]

Well.... At the dealer I purchased mine.. They requested to change the large one at every 15k miles. Never did bring up the small one. I had been keeping an eye out anyway, at 30k it was just starting to turn dark. I reminded them. If I remember correctly, the service writer did not know it was there. Ask for both.