Cabin air filters

[Donald]

I see the economy cabin air filters on RA for $6 and some of the better ones for $15, maybe $20.

And some vehicles like my truck do not have a cabin air filter.

So why spend more than $6.00.

 

[KrisZ]

Cabin air filters filer out dust and pollen, so the air inside can be of better quality. Since vehicle cabin is a fairly small, closed in space, anything that helps the air quality is a plus IMO.

Also, they have a nice side effect of keeping the heater and evaporator cores clean.

 

[Nick1994]

I like the cheap ones. They're there to protect the evaporator, not to be a HEPA filter for your car.

 

[LoneRanger]

Bought this generic $9.73 POTAUTO activated charcoal cabin air filter for the Forester this summer, and it's a remarkably well constructed filter with decent media.

https://www.amazon.com/MAP-1036W-Replacement-compatible-Crosstrek/dp/B017I5EDLQ

At the time I ordered it, was Prime eligible and had free shipping. Looks like they're charging for shipping now.

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted by Nick1994
I like the cheap ones. They're there to protect the evaporator, not to be a HEPA filter for your car.


My thoughts as well. There's no way that little filter is making one bit of difference to the air quality in the vehicle, but it does keep a bunch of junk out of the HVAC system. It's just like the air filter for your home furnace.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

cabin filters are awesome

 

[mclasser]

I run cheapo filters now since I don't notice any difference b/w them and the fancy charcoal ones, but then again, I don't have bad allergies.

 

[twouvakind]

I found the RA $6 filters to be quite adequate is filtering particulates as intended.

 

[philipp10]

Originally Posted by KrisZ
Cabin air filters filer out dust and pollen, so the air inside can be of better quality. Since vehicle cabin is a fairly small, closed in space, anything that helps the air quality is a plus IMO.

Also, they have a nice side effect of keeping the heater and evaporator cores clean.


Your comment brought up a question. Does anyone here know of any specifications on these "cabin filters". Because I see no spec....just one that said filters upo to 98% of pollens blah blah blah.... The point being, pollen particles are quite large. So just what are the rating on these? We know it for oil filters....

 

[xBa380]

Id go with quality filters, personally. With how small the cabins are, air recirculates many times. If you can filter out allergens and dust to help keep the car clean, why not?

Of course, if you ride with your windows down then its worthless. I have my AC or heat on all the time, so its rare my windows are down.

 

[Jimzz]

I have not seen that much, if any, difference between the cheaper cost ones and the more expensive ones. Thats excluding the carbon ones. I ma not a fan of them as they do not flow as well.

So use the cheaper filters and just replace every 2 years is what I do.

 

[xBa380]

I actually for a long time just made my own... I'd buy the large filtrate panels (a higher filtering efficiency one) and then cut to size. I would have maybe 4 to 6 air filters out of a single panel and last me three years or so for $20. Easy enough to do.

 

[cb450sc]

Originally Posted by xBa380
I actually for a long time just made my own... I'd buy the large filtrate panels (a higher filtering efficiency one) and then cut to size. I would have maybe 4 to 6 air filters out of a single panel and last me three years or so for $20. Easy enough to do.


I did the same with my 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid. I put 300 000 km on that car before selling it and never purchased a "real" cabin air filter.