It's pretty easy to visually check the filter.

 

After doing some research and watching videos that Donaldson has on YouTube a visual inspection is not an indicator if the the air filter truly needs replace measuring the air flow is the only accurate way to judge if the filter needs replaced. That is their take not mine but after watching the videos and reading on their website it was intrigued and wondered if anyone has played around with an indicator on a RZR or not.

 

I have Donaldson air filter indicators on both of my rigs. A 2018 XP1000 and a 2021 XP4 Highlifter. The air filters on these machines are HUGE for the size of the engines. I have never seen the indicators anywhere close to where it recommends an air filter service. I usually end up cleaning the filters just to ease my conscience but way before the indicator gets even half way.

 

How did you mount the indicators?
Are they specific for size of engine?

thx

 

I have one on my diesel truck, and the OEM manual clearly states not to replace the filter unless there is a restriction. It's a multi stage filter though, so I've removed several times to check and it's clean as a whistle inside. Still no pressure restriction from the indicator.

On the rzr though, the fine silt and dust packs the pleats so quickly that I can't image it's not restricted quite quickly. I just put an over filter sleeve on to help with that, it's made a huge difference.

That being said, I'd be curious to see what the actual differential pressure is across the filter new, vs clogged. Did they mention an actual number on their website? I'd have to believe it's different for every setup, due to velocity and volume differences.

 

I have one on my diesel truck, and the OEM manual clearly states not to replace the filter unless there is a restriction. It's a multi stage filter though, so I've removed several times to check and it's clean as a whistle inside. Still no pressure restriction from the indicator.

On the rzr though, the fine silt and dust packs the pleats so quickly that I can't image it's not restricted quite quickly. I just put an over filter sleeve on to help with that, it's made a huge difference.

That being said, I'd be curious to see what the actual differential pressure is across the filter new, vs clogged. Did they mention an actual number on their website? I'd have to believe it's different for every setup, due to velocity and volume differences.

Donaldson recommendation is to follow the engine manufactures specs and I have never seen anything from Polaris.

 

After a quick search I didn't find anything on if anyone has tried installing an air filter service indicator on a RZR. Looking at Donaldson's website they recommend only changing the filter based on that rather than "better safe than sorry" method.

From the Donaldson's website.

"Restriction measuring devices remove the guesswork from air cleaner servicing and allow you to safely benefit from the filter’s optimum performance.

A major cause of over-servicing can sometimes be ‘better to be safe than sorry’ where users consider time or odometer readings rather than airflow restriction measurement to be used to determine when to service. In the case of air cleaners, more servicing is not better.
Servicing too frequently prevents the air filter from ever reaching its peak efficiency. In addition, the risk of engine damage increases every time the air filter is removed from the air cleaner housing."


I would love to hear thoughts on this.

I don’t use any knd of “restriction indicator”; but use an old air filter as a “prefilter” with a filter sock over it. I blow that out after every ride. I check the main filter every time I service the machine, which is every 1000 miles. Tap the main filter on the concrete apron in front of the shop. All I ever get out of it is just a puff of dust. Change main filter annually, discard the prefilter, put old main in place for prefilter.
The filter fits into the intake horn perfectly. I made the bracket to hold the prefilter in place. Held in place with two wing nuts.

I only have 21000 miles on this machine now, no major issues.

 

You need to get out and ride more LOL. Cool setup

 

I installed a Donaldson indicator last year on my 2016 XPT , it's never moved the indicator since installed.

 

Back in the day we called these "idiot" lights
I don't need an indicator tell me I'm not doing preventative maintenance

 

Why would I message you? I said what I had to say.No keyboard warrior here.

 

I'm curious how much two filters in line effect air flow. Perhaps someone with a filter minder would experiment for the rest of us...

 

Doesn’t affect my RZR performance doesn’t change anything like gas mileage doesn’t overheat, etc..I just slow trail ride doesn’t matter what elevation 5000 to11,000 foot elevation.

 

Save your money visually check it . If you are riding in dusty conditions bow it out from the inside oit after every ride .

 

After a quick search I didn't find anything on if anyone has tried installing an air filter service indicator on a RZR. Looking at Donaldson's website they recommend only changing the filter based on that rather than "better safe than sorry" method.

From the Donaldson's website.

"Restriction measuring devices remove the guesswork from air cleaner servicing and allow you to safely benefit from the filter’s optimum performance.

A major cause of over-servicing can sometimes be ‘better to be safe than sorry’ where users consider time or odometer readings rather than airflow restriction measurement to be used to determine when to service. In the case of air cleaners, more servicing is not better.
Servicing too frequently prevents the air filter from ever reaching its peak efficiency. In addition, the risk of engine damage increases every time the air filter is removed from the air cleaner housing."


I would love to hear thoughts on this.

Air Cleaner restriction indicators I think go up to 20" or 25" of water. I put an indicator on my turbo R with an S&B prefilter and the first time I checked it was maxed out. I bought a water gage indicator that went up to 120" of water. The gage went as high as 30" on WOT runs. I removed the air filter cover, so the S&B was bypassed, and the peak restriction was 25". I was concerned about the S&B restriction, but it appears the factory air filter system is very restrictive. Obviously, the restriction indicator won't work at least on the turbos. BTW the pressure tap was located on a fitting just downstream of the air filter (clean side) and I used a new air filter element (HD Donaldson OEM). So, maybe the aftermarket folks would like to develop a low restriction air filter system?

 

You can always go with a K&N oiled filter!

 

After a quick search I didn't find anything on if anyone has tried installing an air filter service indicator on a RZR. Looking at Donaldson's website they recommend only changing the filter based on that rather than "better safe than sorry" method.

From the Donaldson's website.

"Restriction measuring devices remove the guesswork from air cleaner servicing and allow you to safely benefit from the filter’s optimum performance.

A major cause of over-servicing can sometimes be ‘better to be safe than sorry’ where users consider time or odometer readings rather than airflow restriction measurement to be used to determine when to service. In the case of air cleaners, more servicing is not better.
Servicing too frequently prevents the air filter from ever reaching its peak efficiency. In addition, the risk of engine damage increases every time the air filter is removed from the air cleaner housing."


I would love to hear thoughts on this.

One thing very few people or dealers address regarding, how to keep dirt out of your motor?. I have had both quads and SXS's and have spent a lot of money replacing filters every couple of trips in the dirt and sand. I have some friends and online dealers that swear by the S&B Filtration System, after the reports of the US military and people who have installed them on their own SXS's claimed that filters rarly have to be changed. I had changed out 4 airfilters on my XP 1000 before buying and installing I am a believer in the past 3000 miles runing the S&B system my air filter looks new I couldn't blow out any dirt nor tap on cement and get anything out. Buying from the dealer you bought you machine from they will give you 10% off your system the dealer will install or you can it is super easy to install.

 

I just checked back at my RMATV account. Evidently I forgot to buy a new filter last year!
Here is how it looks today, after two years of AZ dust!

That is how it came out of the air box. I am happy with “free” system!

 

I rarely change my air filter. Purchased a good filter to start, then after riding and get it home, I open the filter box, then get out the vacuum and vacuum the pleats and airbox. No need to even take the filter off, just loosen and rotate to clean. Looks like new afterwards. You change filters on truck and cars because they turn black with soot and other pollutants, where as most UTV's accumulate dust, which is easy to clean. Unless I have got it wet I hardly change it.

 

And how many miles do you put on?

 

5 years/4000 miles on my filter.
Still looks brand new
$10 in pre filters
20180925_081028 by 185 EZ, on Flickr
20180925_081439 by 185 EZ, on Flickr