Changed my cabin air filter

[nerp]

Woah. I had no idea it would get this bad this fast. I am just at about 20,000 miles and it already got pretty bad.

Replaced the OEM Mopar filter with a Wix branded one. Wasn't too expensive from Rock Auto. It has this "bioshield 75" coating on it. We'll see if it does a good job trapping odors. I do love the idea of fresher air.

When was the last time you changed your cabin air filter?

 

[phucheneh]

That's not going to trap odors. You need an activated charcoal filter.

 

[nerp]

Wix claims it traps particles that "cause odors" so it's pretty deceptive marketing. I plan on throwing a bag of some activated charcoal under the passenger seat at some point, but I don't smoke in the car and keep it nice and clean so odor isn't really an issue.

 

[chin311]

I just replaced mine a month or so ago, its been about 2 1/2 years and 20k.

this was the old one:

I replaced it with a FRAM Fresh Breeze with charcoal
http://www.amazon.com/CF10140-Fresh-...a+cabin+filter

Smells clean now!

 

[Jimzz]

Hahaha.. that's not even close to the worst I have seen. Just last month I did some AC work on a Toyota and replaced the cabin filter at the same time. It was so clogged I had to use a shop vac as I was pulling it out. Car has over 160k on it and I don't think it was ever replaced.

But I usually change them out every 3 years or 25k, give or take.

 

[Ferzerp]

A filter most certainly can block odors if it is a fine enough filter. It's going to restrict airflow, though. What do you think an odor is? It is particles that you get in your nose that activate olfactory receptors. Certain smells are bigger than other smells. I'm not saying this filter is effective at it, but flat out dismissing the possibility is just not understanding what a smell is to begin with.

Hint: when you smell poop, that's because you literally have little pieces of poop in your nose. If you smell a fart, that means that particles that were in someone's ass moments ago are now in your nose too.

 

[phucheneh]

A filter most certainly can block odors if it is a fine enough filter. It's going to restrict airflow, though. What do you think an odor is? It is particles that you get in your nose that activate olfactory receptors. Certain smells are bigger than other smells. I'm not saying this filter is effective at it, but flat out dismissing the possibility is just not understanding what a smell is to begin with.

Hint: when you smell poop, that's because you literally have little pieces of poop in your nose.

I love it when people explain concepts to others as if they were fucking retarded, while demonstrating that they themselves do not properly grasp the concept of what they are trying to 'educate' people about.

When you fart, does your ass spit out a big visible dust cloud? No? Really? Hmm, I wonder why that is...there must be...some...difference...why are most 'smells' not visible...something about...size of particles...oh woe is me, my puny brain cannot understand.

 

[mmntech]

Meh, I just shake the leaves out every now and then. Saw some pretty bad ones in the rental cars though. Those things never got changed.

 

[kitatech]

Replacement CAF when I bought my 05 Camry @ 97k miles last Oct. '12

 

[thedarkwolf]

The pontiac vibe I had for awhile with 200k miles on it barely moved any air when I bought it. The filter for it was caked with dirt and bugs. What I don't get is how expensive a stupid cabin filter is. Think it was $30 when I can buy and engine air filter for $6.

 

[nitrous9200]

This was one of the first things I did when I bought my car last year. Looks like the thing hadn't been changed in years - engine air filter was six years old, so I wouldn't be surprised if this thing was about the same age.

 

[SparkyJJO]

I should get under the dash of my Trailblazer and swap that filter out. It has been a while, probably needs it.

My engine air filter could use changed soon also.

 

[tweakmonkey]

Replacement CAF when I bought my 05 Camry @ 97k miles last Oct. '12

:thumbsup: winner!

 

[fr]

Guess I do mine often enough to never have thought of taking a photo of it.

 

[Jimzz]

The pontiac vibe I had for awhile with 200k miles on it barely moved any air when I bought it. The filter for it was caked with dirt and bugs. What I don't get is how expensive a stupid cabin filter is. Think it was $30 when I can buy and engine air filter for $6.

Check www.rockauto.com Most cabin filters can be had for less than $10.

 

[nerp]

Guess I do mine often enough to never have thought of taking a photo of it.

My wife was working and I wanted to show her the old vs. new.

I can't imagine what hers looks like. Time to head back to Rock Auto. I hope it's as easy to replace on the Forester as it is in the Charger. The Charger's is under a little panel under the hood near the firewall, making the task a 20-second job as complicated as putting a padded envelope in mail slot.

 

[jaedaliu]

Replacement CAF when I bought my 05 Camry @ 97k miles last Oct. '12

I just did my 05 camry earlier this year. Then I was getting noise from the fan. Blew an alternator, then blew a couple fuses. Pulled it apart to look. Apparently when I replaced my filter, snail shells fell into the fan causing an imbalance that got pronounced at high speeds, and caused back current from the inductor in the motor.

Well, I think that's the problem. Anyways, now that the fan and vent duct are cleaned out, the fan works a lot better. So much for being a super easy maintenance item.

 

[disappoint]

That's not going to trap odors. You need an activated charcoal filter.

That's why I love GM. Came with a charcoal filter out of the box. AC Delco branded but made in Germany. I replace mine every year because I can. I don't know how people go 20,000 miles before replacing simple stuff like filters and oil.

http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-CF176-...1&s=automotive

 

[nerp]

That's why I love GM. Came with a charcoal filter out of the box. AC Delco branded but made in Germany. I replace mine every year because I can. I don't know how people go 20,000 miles before replacing simple stuff like filters and oil.

http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-CF176-...1&s=automotive

There's a difference between not changing oil and not changing a cabin air filter. And some people drive 20,000 miles in about a year, so . . .

 

[SearchMaster]

Heh - thanks to this thread I just ordered a set for my old Accord. They had been changed shortly before I bought the car but after 3 years and 70K miles, it's definitely overdue.

For whatever reason I didn't think it used them (it's the first gen of Accord that does) so after reading this thread I had to check the service records to see when it was last done. If it's nasty enough I'll post pics when I change it (and the rear O2 sensor) this weekend.

 

[Ferzerp]

I love it when people explain concepts to others as if they were fucking retarded, while demonstrating that they themselves do not properly grasp the concept of what they are trying to 'educate' people about.

When you fart, does your ass spit out a big visible dust cloud? No? Really? Hmm, I wonder why that is...there must be...some...difference...why are most 'smells' not visible...something about...size of particles...oh woe is me, my puny brain cannot understand.

You can filter any particle larger than the pieces you want to get through. It's just a matter of changing it often enough (as it will clog fast), and having the pressure to get decent airflow. I know exactly what I'm talking about, and whether or not automotive cabin filter are available that are a high enough merv rating is inconsequential. The simple fact is that "activated charcoal" is not necessary to filter out the bulk of odors that exist, and only really tiny things like H2S can't be purely with a particulate filter. However, your claim was that the only way possible to filter odors is with charcoal. This is patently false.

However, keep thinking that small particles are some magical substance like the aether that permeates reality. O2? Particle.

 

[Vetterin]

I learned years ago to just go and buy a cut-to-fit carbon sheet for air purifiers for $7. They are usually 16" X 48" and you can just cut it to the size you need and place it in front of your panel filter. You can then just replace the charcoal sheet whenever you like and your regular filter will last a real long time.

 

[nerp]

I learned years ago to just go and buy a cut-to-fit carbon sheet for air purifiers for $7. They are usually 16" X 48" and you can just cut it to the size you need and place it in front of your panel filter. You can then just replace the charcoal sheet whenever you like and your regular filter will last a real long time.

How does it affect airflow? And where do you get them?

 

[stag3]

i change mine every 20k or so, which reminds me it's time to change it

 

[Pantoot]

The Charger's is under a little panel under the hood near the firewall, making the task a 20-second job as complicated as putting a padded envelope in mail slot.

One the MDX it is in the glove box, and just as easy. Acura charges $99 as a "special" to replace it. Criminal.