Cabin air filter

[wallyuwl]

Just replaced the cabin air filter on the Equinox. Normally they have an arrow showing the air flow. This was an AC Delco one and did not have any such arrow. I found a video online and they had what looked to be the same one (could make out some of the numbers) and put it in writing upside down because the one that was in there from the factory was also writing upside down. So that is what I did.

How would I know for sure though I put it in correctly?

 

[RamFan]

Honestly, when it comes to most cabin air filters, I don't really think you can put it in upside down. Arrow or not.

Edit* Meaning regardless of which way they are installed they'll filter the air.

 

[01rangerxl]

If there is no arrow, odds are it doesn't matter. If it did matter, AC Delco would probably print an arrow since even no-name/generic filters usually have an arrow if it matters.

Does the material feel the same on both sides?

Even if you put it in "wrong," I doubt it will make a difference. A lot of people have totally clogged cabin filters and don't care until it trashes the blower motor. Some people just toss the clogged filter and run without one.

 

[dishdude]

It only matter if you take a used filter out, and reinstall it, for obvious reasons.

 

[toneydoc]

Does not make any difference with a new one

 

[The Critic]

It matters if it is a charcoal filter.

Otherwise, it does not make a difference.

 

[hsd]

Some better filters have a support grid on the downstream side to prevent the filter from collapsing when it gets plugged.

 

[KitaCam]

Look VERY CLOSELY at the paper....one side is likely rougher than the other and THAT side goes toward the outside, opposite the air flow...i.e. smooth side in the direction of the air...

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: KitaCam
Look VERY CLOSELY at the paper....one side is likely rougher than the other and THAT side goes toward the outside, opposite the air flow...i.e. smooth side in the direction of the air...


I have never seen what you mentioned.

While I do not recommend going against the arrow (if there is one), it usually does not make a difference.

As previously mentioned, on charcoal filters, only one side has charcoal so you need to get those right.

 

[gaijinnv]

Originally Posted By: The Critic

As previously mentioned, on charcoal filters, only one side has charcoal so you need to get those right.


I don't see how it could matter which side is up on a charcoal filter. It doesn't matter whether the air flow goes through the dirt filter or the carbon filter first, either way, the filter will do its job.

Can you explain your assertion further?

 

[spackard]

Activated carbon has a lot of surface area.
If clogged up with dirt, that reduces the surface exposed to the air.
http://www.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/question209.htm

 

[wallyuwl]

I called the 800 number at acdelco.com to find out which way to orient the cabin air filter. I found out that Amazon isn't an authorized dealer for AC Delco and buys their parts from third party vendors. They asked if the filters (I got an engine air filter too) came in boxes, since all genuine parts of theirs now come in boxes. The engine filter didn't come in any packaging, and the cabin filter was in a plastic bag. They also said all their genuine cabin filters come with an arrow on them. So I am returning both and ordered both genuine parts from Rockauto.

 

[KitaCam]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: KitaCam
Look VERY CLOSELY at the paper....one side is likely rougher than the other and THAT side goes toward the outside, opposite the air flow...i.e. smooth side in the direction of the air...


I have never seen what you mentioned.


Wix is one such filter...at least on those I bought for Camry, that did have a rougher side upon close inspection (as told to do by Wix when I called for advice)...

 

[Mr_Incredible]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
It matters if it is a charcoal filter.

Otherwise, it does not make a difference.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: gaijinnv
Originally Posted By: The Critic

As previously mentioned, on charcoal filters, only one side has charcoal so you need to get those right.


I don't see how it could matter which side is up on a charcoal filter. It doesn't matter whether the air flow goes through the dirt filter or the carbon filter first, either way, the filter will do its job.

Can you explain your assertion further?

On most charcoal filters, one side of the filter is impregenated with the charcoal material. The airflow is supposed to go through that side first.

The opposite side of the filter does not have the charcoal material.

If I had a spare one on the shelf, I'd take a picture for you. On your next trip to Walmart, take one of the Fram fresh breeze filters out of the box and you'll see what I mean.

 

[gaijinnv]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: gaijinnv
Originally Posted By: The Critic

As previously mentioned, on charcoal filters, only one side has charcoal so you need to get those right.


I don't see how it could matter which side is up on a charcoal filter. It doesn't matter whether the air flow goes through the dirt filter or the carbon filter first, either way, the filter will do its job.

Can you explain your assertion further?

On most charcoal filters, one side of the filter is impregenated with the charcoal material. The airflow is supposed to go through that side first.

The opposite side of the filter does not have the charcoal material.

If I had a spare one on the shelf, I'd take a picture for you. On your next trip to Walmart, take one of the Fram fresh breeze filters out of the box and you'll see what I mean.


I am very familiar with what they look like

My suggestion was that even if the air flow is "supposed" to go through the carbon side first, how could it possibly diminish performance of either the carbon or dirt filters if the air went through the dirt filter side first?

The air is not magically changed when it goes through the dirt filter so as to reduce the efficiency of the carbon filter.

In fact, one could argue that by going through the dirt side of the filter first, the effective life of the carbon filter would be extended because it would not be clogging up with dirt, thus reducing the effective carbon filtering surface area.

Carbon filter up, dirt filter up, I cannot think of a rational reason why either one would not be perfectly acceptable - ASSUMING THE PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS OF THE FILTER ALLOW INSTALLATION EITHER WAY. If the cabin air filter is designed to be installed in one specific orientation, then, obviously, that is the way it should be installed.