I have a Steeda CAI installed on my car. The part came with a guarentee that you don't need to change it for 1 million miles. No mention of how to clean it though, which I'm assuming you have to do.

Two questions, how often do you need to clean your CAI filter, and what do you use?

I see K&N has a cleaning kit, but (as stupid as this sounds) my filter is blue and I want to keep it that way. I'm assuming the K&N will turn it red like all of their products.

 

Scratch that, I just found the Steeda air filter cleaner kit on their website. It was just tucked away in there. Still, how often should it be cleaned?

 

First off you should clean it at least every 50k miles, more if you live in a dustbowl.
As far as K&N's kit, as well as other's out there, it's just detergent and oil, it will not change your filter from blue to red.
You do have to be careful with over-oiling, as you don't want to foul your maf sensor, a common mistake.
You also don't want to be impatient on the drying time before oiling.

Two good options:

1. Buy an extra filter, and replace the old with the new while you wash and re-oil the old for next time.
2. (My choice) Buy a new filter every 50k and screw that whole wash and oil mess.

A new filter is just pennies per mile.

 

Can't help you with how often but yes, it will turn the filter red. (or purple, or some combo)

EDIT: To futher clarify, the oil in the K&N filter cleaning kit is dyed red so you can see it spread over the cotton easier. It will discolor your Steeda one. (My jeep has a K&N cold air intake kit on it)

 

It will?
Well, I stand corrected.

 

S'ok I edited my post above to provide more info.

 

+1

 

Alright, this may sound dumb but where do you get JUST the Steeda filter? I don't see it on it's own.

 

Correct on both your assumptions.
The one million mile statement is simply how long the replacement interval is. You will need to clean it.
Using K&N cleaner kit will cause a red tint or kill the blue color of your filter since the oil is red in the K&N Kit. The nice thing is the cleaner can be bought seperatly and does not have a color.

How often you clean your filter depends on driving conditions. Check it every time the oil is changed (3,000 miles or 3 months) and clean as necessary.

See if steeda's website has a kit for their product that is 'blue'.