New style of cheap cabin air filter

[wwillson]

I was at my friend's shop today and again he showed me something that made me shake my head. A car came in for an oil change and routine maintenance. This car belongs to a new customer at the shop. The car has been serviced at another shop a few miles away.

This is the cabin air filter that was removed when the new filter went in.

 

[Chris142]

If it fits

 

[Zee09]

I use river bank Claro Walnut.
I call it air filter wood

 

[NiwradND]

genius

 

[Revving2Redline]

LOL . I have seen it all.

 

[ctrcbob]

Filter doing it’s job.

 

[NormanBuntz]

Car maintenance fraud.

 

[wag123]

There were YouTube videos a few years ago that showed you how to do this and promoted their use.

 

[oldhp]

Even new that had to cut down air flow. Trying to save a buck. . . . . . .

 

[incognito_2u]

Just when you thought you saw it all…….Rube Goldberg would be proud!

 

[JeffKeryk]

Genius!

 

[AutoMechanic]

Wow. That’s the first time I’ve seen that haha. Some people are just unbelievably cheap these days.

 

[ctechbob]

A shop doing it and passing it off as a service, no.

Would I do it on my own car? Actually, yea, I might if I felt it fit good enough. Lets face it, CAF's are not rocket science, and a relatively recent invention all things considered.

 

[wings&wheels]

Looks like they sprung for the activated carbon one at least!

 

[92saturnsl2]

Cabin air filters cost $7-15+ on Rockauto, sometimes less. My time spent cutting a furnace filter into sections wouldn't pan out, I'd rather put in an extra hour at work. If I was desperate and had much more time than money, it might get you by for awhile.

 

[MaDMaXX]

 

[RaymondP]

Cabin air filters are multiplying....

Mercedes GLC300 has two. One accessed via the engine bay compartment, and the second below the dash on the passenger side inside the vehicle. Will take a significant amount of time to replace, but no doubt will contribute to the service center's profits at the dealership.

Interestingly, they don't specify the frequency of changes in the recommended service interval schedule. However, examining the actions taken at the dealerships for a "Service B", this includes the cabin air filter change. Got to justify the $800+ fee. Another reason to DIY.

 

[Malo83]

Don't park under trees.

 

[RamFan]

Not gonna lie, I bought the wrong size furnace filter once and had every intention of doing just this for the Mazda.

Charging a customer for this? Not a chance.

 

[jackz]

I using Lowes filter same as house filter green or white large size cut
to fit move more air and is washable