---
title: "2012-2013 Subaru Forester Cabin & Engine Air Filters"
description: "Cabin air filter and engine air filter part numbers for the 2012-2013 Subaru Forester, with aftermarket equivalents and replacement intervals. Behind the glovebox; drop the glovebox door, 5-minute DIY."
url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/filters"
updated: "2026-08-21"
---

# 2012-2013 Subaru Forester Cabin Air Filter and Engine Air Filter

Cabin air filter and engine air filter part numbers for the 2012-2013 Subaru Forester, with aftermarket equivalents and replacement intervals. Behind the glovebox; drop the glovebox door, 5-minute DIY.

## Cabin air filter (Check your manual)

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Location | Behind the glovebox; drop the glovebox door, 5-minute DIY |
| Replace every | Every 15,000-30,000 mi (more often in dusty conditions) |

## Engine air filter (Check your manual)

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Aftermarket | Fram CA10467, Wix 46496 |
| Location | Airbox on driver side of engine bay; clip-on lid, no tools |
| Replace every | Every 30,000 mi (more often in dusty conditions) |

## Which Subaru Forester model years does this cover?

These air filters specifications apply to every Subaru Forester built from 2012 through 2013, the SH (3rd generation), compact crossover suv. Nothing in this specification changes between those model years.

- [2012 Forester](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012)
- [2013 Forester](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2013)

## What changed during the 2012-2013 Subaru Forester

| Years | What changed |
| --- | --- |
| 2012 | 2.5X Touring trim added above 2.5X Limited with HID headlights, a rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, and silver roof rails; 2.5XT models gain a larger rear spoiler |
| 2012-2013 | Facelift years of the SH generation; non-turbo trims run the newer FB25 while the 2.5XT retains the EJ25 turbo through the end of production in 2013 |
| 2013 | Minor changes only: Sky Blue dropped from the exterior color palette, replaced by Marine Blue and Deep Cherry Pearl |

## 2012-2013 Subaru Forester air filters: common questions

### Where is the cabin air filter on a 2012-2013 Subaru Forester?

Behind the glovebox; drop the glovebox door, 5-minute DIY.

### How often should the cabin air filter be replaced on a 2012-2013 Subaru Forester?

Every 15,000-30,000 mi (more often in dusty conditions). Sooner if you drive in heavy traffic, on dirt roads, or through wildfire smoke, a clogged filter shows up first as weak airflow and a foggy windshield that will not clear.

## Sources

- [Wikipedia, Subaru Forester generations (SH)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Forester)
- [AMSOIL lookup, 2013 Forester 2.5L FB25BC oil spec/capacity](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2013/subaru/forester/2-5l-4-cyl-engine-code-fb25bc-2/)
- [AMSOIL lookup, 2010 Forester 2.5L EJ255 turbo oil spec/capacity](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2010/subaru/forester/2-5l-4-cyl-engine-code-ej255-e-turbo/)
- [Subaru Forester Owners Forum, oil type & filter for 2013 2.5XT (5W-30, 4.4 qt per owner's manual)](https://www.subaruforester.org/threads/oil-type-filter-for-2013-2-5xt.133018/)
- [sportsubarusouth.com, Subaru Forester oil type by model year (2011-2013 SH)](https://www.sportsubarusouth.com/subaru-research/subaru-forester-oil-type/)
- [KBB, 2010 Subaru Forester specs (2.5XT: 224 hp / 226 lb-ft)](https://www.kbb.com/subaru/forester/2010/)
- [Edmunds, 2013 Subaru Forester review (2.5XT specs, 4-speed automatic)](https://www.edmunds.com/subaru/forester/2013/review/)
- [tirecalculatorhub.com, Subaru Forester OEM tire size guide by year](https://tirecalculatorhub.com/guides/subaru-tire-calculator)
- [Conley Subaru, Forester lug nut torque by model year](https://www.conleysubaru.com/subaru-research/subaru-forester-lug-nut-torque/)
- [Class Law Group, Subaru oil consumption class action settlement summary](https://www.classlawgroup.com/subaru-oil-consumption-class-action-lawsuit)
- [subaruforester.org, 2011-14 Forester oil consumption class action lawsuit thread](https://www.subaruforester.org/threads/2011-14-forester-oil-consumption-class-action-lawsuit-merged-thread.360817/)
- [subaruofdayton.com, Subaru EJ25 head gasket history explainer](https://www.subaruofdayton.com/blog/head-gaskets-horizons-and-hope-the-truth-about-older-subaru-models)

## Other Subaru Forester generations

- [2025-2026 Subaru Forester air filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2025-2026/filters)
- [2019-2024 Subaru Forester air filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2019-2024/filters)
- [2014-2018 Subaru Forester air filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/filters)

Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/filters).

## More for the 2012-2013 Subaru Forester

- [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/oil)
- [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/battery)
- [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/tires)
- [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/wipers)
- [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/bulbs)
- [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/brakes)
- [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/fluids)
- [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/service-schedule)
- [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/common-problems)
- [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/oil-reset)
- [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/key-fob-battery)
- [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/specs)

Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.