Any opinions on whether cabin air filters are worth having? I drive with the windows open much of the time so I was thinking of chucking the cabin air filter. They appear to be an innovation designed to add to the service dept's profits.
Cabin air filters, just a profit center?
- Thread starter Pluto5
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IMO, people seem to spend more time indoors or with the windows up nowadays, and want they're delicate pink lungs to be as dust free as possible. I think they are addressing that consumer demand. They do seem to keep the car interior a bit cleaner though.
Next we'll probably see thought controlled turn signal levers for the weak computer geek fingers. I'd be for that since most people aren't using their signals anymore.
Next we'll probably see thought controlled turn signal levers for the weak computer geek fingers. I'd be for that since most people aren't using their signals anymore.
I have one in my Santa Fe and it comes out looking really nasty. As someone who drives their car as a mobil office I think it's a good thing to have, especially because I suffer from Asthma.
For the average user, I'm sure you could just leave it out and it would be fine. My dad is driving his Windstar without it.
My aunt hasn't had it in her car from 15K KM, and now the car is approaching 300K KM.
Profit center to me, but for those who benefit from it (like me), I think it's a good thing...
For the average user, I'm sure you could just leave it out and it would be fine. My dad is driving his Windstar without it.
My aunt hasn't had it in her car from 15K KM, and now the car is approaching 300K KM.
Profit center to me, but for those who benefit from it (like me), I think it's a good thing...
Considering how much c_r_a_p accumulates on my cabin filters (my car has two), I'd rather have them in place so that I don't need to live/breathe this mess and clean it off my interior. The time spent cleaning has its price, too.
But if one drives with their windows down all then time, then I agree that the cabin air filter's purpose is defeated.
EDIT: However, there's a risk that without the filter in place, leaves and other debris may enter your ventilation system and clog it up.
But if one drives with their windows down all then time, then I agree that the cabin air filter's purpose is defeated.
EDIT: However, there's a risk that without the filter in place, leaves and other debris may enter your ventilation system and clog it up.
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How often do you change them?
Originally Posted By: Pluto5
They appear to be an innovation designed to add to the service dept's profits.
Not if you buy it online and change it in your driveway. Most cars are very easy to change (not Mazda 3's). And yes I think they are worth having. The one from my Mazda came out extremely dirty.
If you ask me dealer service departments are run by crooks. I wouldn't trust them to check my tire pressure, much less give them any of my money.
They appear to be an innovation designed to add to the service dept's profits.
Not if you buy it online and change it in your driveway. Most cars are very easy to change (not Mazda 3's). And yes I think they are worth having. The one from my Mazda came out extremely dirty.
If you ask me dealer service departments are run by crooks. I wouldn't trust them to check my tire pressure, much less give them any of my money.
Originally Posted By: BuickGN
$10 and 5 minutes of my time every 6 months is fine. The interior stays clean longer and all the leaves and stuff that the filter would catch would end up in the fan.
ha, try $40 in Canada for mine... Even the aftermarket ones! (I have 2) Plus I gotta empty out the glove box and I got stuff in there from the 80's
$10 and 5 minutes of my time every 6 months is fine. The interior stays clean longer and all the leaves and stuff that the filter would catch would end up in the fan.
ha, try $40 in Canada for mine... Even the aftermarket ones! (I have 2) Plus I gotta empty out the glove box and I got stuff in there from the 80's
Originally Posted By: MarkC
How often do you change them?
Once every 2 years.
I think BMW recommends replacement every 15k miles, but I don't do that many miles in 2 years.
The charcoal-activated ones are $20 and change each, on line.
How often do you change them?
Once every 2 years.
I think BMW recommends replacement every 15k miles, but I don't do that many miles in 2 years.
The charcoal-activated ones are $20 and change each, on line.
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If you have ever seen a older cars{without cabin filters} evaporator and how clogged with junk it gets, you would never even consider removing a cabin filter. The clogged evaporator not only reduces A/C efficiency, but the wet environment allows all the organic dirt/debris/leaves/etc stuck in/on the evaporator to create mold/mildew/rotton odors.
I use a sheet of Bounce, the one for cloth dryer, on top of the filter and change it every oil change. My cabin filters in all cars lasted more than 30k miles.
Originally Posted By: MarkC
How often do you change them?
Once a year works for me.
How often do you change them?
Once a year works for me.
I changed mine out at the 25K/2year recommendation(Mazda) and was amazed how dirty it was. I drive with windows open about 7 months of the year. I observed it also kept a few small leaves & stuff out of the blower motor. Well worth the $18 for a two year replacement IMO.
Originally Posted By: qship1996
If you have ever seen a older cars{without cabin filters} evaporator and how clogged with junk it gets, you would never even consider removing a cabin filter. The clogged evaporator not only reduces A/C efficiency, but the wet environment allows all the organic dirt/debris/leaves/etc stuck in/on the evaporator to create mold/mildew/rotton odors.
EXACTLY!
(although this doesn't mean you can't stretch their life out to the max)
If you have ever seen a older cars{without cabin filters} evaporator and how clogged with junk it gets, you would never even consider removing a cabin filter. The clogged evaporator not only reduces A/C efficiency, but the wet environment allows all the organic dirt/debris/leaves/etc stuck in/on the evaporator to create mold/mildew/rotton odors.
EXACTLY!
(although this doesn't mean you can't stretch their life out to the max)
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DIY is the way to go with these. The aftermarket ones are sometimes even the same as OEM.
Below is pic of a new Purolator replacement (top) next to the used Honda OEM (bottom); both are made by micronAir.
If you're really creative (read:cheap) you can probably even cut up a decent furnace filter to fit your application.
Below is pic of a new Purolator replacement (top) next to the used Honda OEM (bottom); both are made by micronAir.
If you're really creative (read:cheap) you can probably even cut up a decent furnace filter to fit your application.
I think they are a great idea.
The price should be $1, though.
Maybe you could implement a piece from a quality home furnace air filter. Cut up, it could yield many cabin filters.
Worth a try.
The price should be $1, though.
Maybe you could implement a piece from a quality home furnace air filter. Cut up, it could yield many cabin filters.
Worth a try.
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Maybe you could implement a piece from a quality home furnace air filter. Cut up, it could yield many cabin filters.
Worth a try.
There are places that will make custom-size furnace air filters.
A Wix cabin air filter for my Saab 93 is about $12.
Maybe you could implement a piece from a quality home furnace air filter. Cut up, it could yield many cabin filters.
Worth a try.
There are places that will make custom-size furnace air filters.
A Wix cabin air filter for my Saab 93 is about $12.
Bosch ones are also made by MicronAir. It's a much better one than Toyota OEM.
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
I think they are a great idea.
The price should be $1, though.
Maybe you could implement a piece from a quality home furnace air filter. Cut up, it could yield many cabin filters.
Worth a try.
Take it to China and watch them show up in a Dollar Store near you!
I think they are a great idea.
The price should be $1, though.
Maybe you could implement a piece from a quality home furnace air filter. Cut up, it could yield many cabin filters.
Worth a try.
Take it to China and watch them show up in a Dollar Store near you!
Originally Posted By: StevieC
I have one in my Santa Fe and it comes out looking really nasty. As someone who drives their car as a mobil office I think it's a good thing to have, especially because I suffer from Asthma.
Ya. I know you spend a lot of time behind the windshield, and with Asthma, for sure get the best one you can, you gotta take care of that stuff. Asthma killed my grandma before I was born.
Mostly I've driven maybe 500 miles/week average for work (in company vans) but I'm an open window guy.
I should prolly take a look at mine actually, it's two years old. I got a spare but never got around to putting it in.
I have one in my Santa Fe and it comes out looking really nasty. As someone who drives their car as a mobil office I think it's a good thing to have, especially because I suffer from Asthma.
Ya. I know you spend a lot of time behind the windshield, and with Asthma, for sure get the best one you can, you gotta take care of that stuff. Asthma killed my grandma before I was born.
Mostly I've driven maybe 500 miles/week average for work (in company vans) but I'm an open window guy.
I should prolly take a look at mine actually, it's two years old. I got a spare but never got around to putting it in.
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