Fram cabin filter looks A+

[Johnny248]

I'm not one to purchase Fram products, but I opened up a box at Walmart and actually bought one of the cabin filters for my car.
The filter looks better than both my OEM and Wix filters. The OEM and Wix are just white, thin material where as the Fram is thicker, heavier, has what appears to be charcoal embedded in it, and advertises to have Arm & Hammer baking soda. Even though it is made in China, it still looks really good. In fact my Wix filter is made in China also

 

[daves87rs]

Interesting...I'm to try a fram air filter fpr my cobalt...

 

[mikered30]

Others, including myself, noted that it reduced air flow and the charcoal does squat for odors.

 

[Johnny248]

are you saying your blower is being choked out from the filter? Can't say that I've noticed any difference in flow or blower power between the two filters.

 

[sunfire]

I'm not too thrilled about the charcoal in the filter and the +$15 price tag. It comes off too easy. Its like buying a dirty air filter.

 

[finalyzd]

Would a charcoal cabin trapped finer particales then a plain white cabin filter?

 

[mikered30]

Originally Posted By: Johnny248
are you saying your blower is being choked out from the filter? Can't say that I've noticed any difference in flow or blower power between the two filters.


Yes, I noticed the Fram is too restrictive. I noticed with the fram a different sound from the air coming out the vents on high.

 

[Johnny248]

I wish I had some sort of flow meter to judge, but I have noticed no differnce. I have also noticed that some of the OEM Nissan cabins are similar in appearance with charcoalish looking material, where some of the other Nissan cabins are simply white.

I guess every car is different, but it seems to work well in my application.

 

[Johnny248]

Originally Posted By: sunfire
I'm not too thrilled about the charcoal in the filter and the +$15 price tag. It comes off too easy. Its like buying a dirty air filter.


The $15+ price tag is not too far off on many of the competitors. I know that the wix version of my cabin cost more than $15.00

 

[Nick R]

Glad to hear it, but where are the pics???

 

[Sayjac]

Actually have read in a few places that these Fram filters cut down on the air flow in the system.

I've used the OE design, now using Puro BreatheEasy's, and have been satisfied.

 

[sunfire]

Originally Posted By: Johnny248
Originally Posted By: sunfire
I'm not too thrilled about the charcoal in the filter and the +$15 price tag. It comes off too easy. Its like buying a dirty air filter.


The $15+ price tag is not too far off on many of the competitors. I know that the wix version of my cabin cost more than $15.00


What turned me away was the little charcoal bits coming off, I guess that's why they wrapped in plastic. I've found rockauto cab air filters at 1/3 the price. Fits snug as good as the OEM. And made in Taiwan (not China).

Someone needs to come out with washable cabin air filters!!!

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: sunfire
Someone needs to come out with washable cabin air filters!!!

It isn't exactly washable cabin filter but it's close. I wrap the cabin filter with discarded pantyhose (after washed), I replace the dirtied pantyhose with a clean one every year. The cabin filter still clean looking after 3 years, I think it can lasted to 5-6 years instead of 2-3 years.

 

[901Memphis]

I have been using the FRAM cabin air filters, they might reduce flow a little but they work fine. Gets pretty dirty in 1 years use.

 

[buickman50401]

I usually buy the Fram or OEM cabin air filters depending on what is on hand. For my wife's VW the filter is just like the OEM in terms of construction and having charcoal in it.

For other applications, such as my Buick, the Fram is the only commonly available aftermarket filter that fits properly (i.e. seals) in the airbox. Other aftermarkets from the house brand autopart store to purolators do not fit worth a darn. Sloppy, cheap construction often for as much or more than the Frams.

For ~$15 for a properly fitting filter is fine with me.

I picked up one for my wife's VW last night. $16 regular price and Fleet Farm was knocking $3 more off on special. Compare this to the house brands at Advance and ORielly which were running $18+ for something not constructed nearly as well.

The fact the filters contain charcoal seems to force Fram to build these better versus their competitors that don't use charcoal and can seem to get away with much cheaper (and shoddy) construction.