Cabin Air Filters (the forgotten filter)

[ZZman]

I just changed the cabin air filter in my 2001 Taurus with 126,000 miles on it. Not sure if it was changed before I got it at around 82,000 miles. It was pretty dirty and had leaves and some packed dirt in the pleats. After I pulled it I turned the blower on high and sprayed some Lysol in the inlet to freshen the system up a little and maybe kill a little mold and bacteria.

How many people know if their vehicle even has one or has changed it?

I would think changing it at 15-30,000 miles depending on conditions would be fine.

 

[StevieC]

I change mine every 18,750 Miles (30K KM). I always spray them with Febreze air freshener first to make the car smell good.

 

[HTSS_TR]

You're right to call it the forgotten filter, because it is hidden in a secret location and hard to get to it. It is also fairly new, not many 80's and 90's cars have it, so that many owners forget there is one in their cars.

 

[The Critic]

I always try to change it on my customer's cars every 15k. A lot of people don't replace it because shops charge a lot for this service.

 

[oilboy123]

If they have the cars maintained in a decent shop they should be OK. If not be alert what your car has if someone DIY..........
I try to change it every 1-2 years at the most. 98 Taurus and it's always pretty dirty.

I know a gal that has an 2001 Saturn L300. She does not think she has changed the cabin filt since she bought it used about 2004. She said it smells bad.....I bet it's pretty dirty.

 

[Nyquist]

My '07 Malibu doesn't, but my fiance's '08 Cobalt does. I'm swapping it out this summer.

 

[RoGuE]

I put one in my 07 Malibu. It is the same filter as the Cobalt. Just drop down the glove box and there it is.

 

[TedSexington]

Do you spray the filter with Febreeze or do u spray the vents with it before you change the filter?

 

[ZZman]

I have done my Camry and my Taurus now. The Taurus is done from the engine compartment. The Camry was done from inside the glovebox. Both were not hard to do in my opinion. I got the Lysol idea from the Taurus website.

 

[StevieC]

Originally Posted By: TedSexington
Do you spray the filter with Febreeze or do u spray the vents with it before you change the filter?


Not sure if this was for me... But I spray the replacement filters and then put them in the car... I give them a generous spray.

 

[Kestas]

I take care of four cars with cabin filters, including a 2001 Sable. Generally I find that 15K intervals is about right. The interval will probably vary by model.

If neglected, a/c and heat output is markedly reduced and it may strain the blower motor.

 

[rszappa1]

What I do is spray some Febreeze on the filter and place it back in the bag or box and let it sit overnight...then install..

 

[nucleardawg]

Quick question here: Does a 96 Mustang GT have a cabin air filter?

 

[rszappa1]

I would guess no...

 

[StevieC]

You could always check the Amsoil product look-up guide it will tell you, usually Wix makes the replacement if you have one.

 

[rszappa1]

Well I looked it up on the Wix site and yes the 1996 Mustang does have one...Part number is 24771. I used to have a 1999 Ford Countour...a real pile of junk and it used the same filter...

 

[TheGreenPiston]

I just changed the cabin air filter in my wife's 2007 Sentra SE-R at about 16000 miles. It was dirty but it could have gone another 5 or 6K miles. The next time I change this filter will be between 15K and 20K miles because of the location of the filter. It appears the HVAC people and the Body people didn't talk to each other when they designed the interior of the car. You have to make q 90 degree turn with the filter to get it out and back in. Some how the filter managed to pop into place putting it back in. She wanted to spray it with an air freshener but forgot. I told her I was not taking it back out for another 15 to 20K miles! I was able to pull about 2" out and spray that for her.
My Altima gets changed every year because it is a 5 minute job behind the glove box.

 

[StevieC]

I must be spoiled... My Santa Fe is a breeze. You unhook the glove box on both sides and tilt it down and the filters are right there behind a Velcro cover.. About 5 minutes, if that, to replace...

 

[Colt45ws]

I just changed the filters not to long ago on my grandparents 2001 Pontiac Montana. Has 90k on it. They had no idea it had them, or how long it had been since they were changed, if ever. The pleats were filled with dirt.
When I worked for Clark county, Nevada, we would change the cabin filters on the Newer International/Tymco street sweepers everytime they came in for an oil change. Probably a really good place for one but it had to be changed every time or the driver would bring it back halfway through the OCI [censored] because the A/C didn't work.

 

[BuickGN]

I change mine every 20K with an activated charcoal filter.

The first change was at 30K and it was plugged up enough that there was a noticable output difference when I changed it. I tapped it on the ground and it was amazing how much dirt was in it.

I live in Bakersfield and the car takes occasional trips to our field office which is very dusty.

Surprisingly, at about the same size, the engine air filter outlasts the cabin airfilter.

One thing I've noticed on the TL is I only have to dust the interior off every couple months where the GN gets dusty weekly. I think these filters are a very good idea.