who replaces cabin air filter
 

hello I am just curious about cabin air filters. I have never changed one in my life. never even thought about it really. I read that you are supposed to change them about 15000-20000 miles. But honestly who out there does this on a routine basis.

I do this on my Pilot and Saab twice a year. Yes maybe over kill but I have my "reasons".

Spring is a B%*%$ where I live, green pollen like you've never seen before. So you don't dare have a window down or fresh air coming into the car or it will get in. About the time it goes away, I change it.

Then in the fall, most all of the leaves have come off the trees and that I change it again.

Like I said, I'm on the "over kill" side and most likly could do it once a year. I just think of the impacts to the HVAC unit and feel better doing it twice a year.

Bottom line, just like any maitenance item, change it when due. Would you not change the air filter for the engine when due.....would you not change the oil and filter when due?

Don't take my comments wrong, you asked who does this on a regular basis and I replied.

I also do this twice a year. My sinuses thank me. The pollen in New Jersey this time of year is no joke.

I definitely didn't take them wrong. yes I asked a question and I was looking for opinions. like I said I never really thought about it and never checked them. I pulled the 2 out of my wives van and there was so much leaves and crap on them I couldn't believe it. Then I pulled the one out of my Honda and it wasn't as bad but it was dirty. Going to stop and get some new ones tomorrow and change them out. That is now on my routine maintenance list as it should of always been. Thanks

I change the air cabin filter every 15,000 miles and also use 1Z Einszett Klima air conditioning cleaner in the A/C evaporator at the same time.

Change them on my 2 cars yearly also..

WheelBrokerAng :)

Yes, I've always changed the cabin air filter on a regular basis and never waiting for the full 15K miles.

The cabin air filter is changed for the same reason filters in your engine air and home heating/air conditioning need to be changed. Eventually they've trapped so much material resulting in restricted air flow and placing a strain on the blower-fan. A clogged filter can also begin to add an unpleasant odor as air passes through all the dirt, pollen, bugs, etc that's been collected.

Studies have shown that a restricted cabin air filter can lead to driver fatigue.

Cabin air filters help keep pollen, dust, soot, odors and exhaust gases out of your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, including the duct-work and the car's interior. A dirty cabin air filter impedes airflow and can produce interior heating and cooling problems. It can also create health issues for any occupants, especially children, seniors and those with respiratory and allergy problems.

Bottom line: The cabin air filter is inexpensive, easy to replace and serves a purpose

To get the leaves and that out of there, I use my shop vac. I have a piece of heater hose tapped into the end of one of the "tubes" that came with the vac.

That allows me to get the hose into the "slot" where the cabin filter fits into. I know, the redneck in me comes out :) ......a piece of heater hose duct tapped to the end of my shop vac. But again I can get the hose into the "case" and get most if not all of the leaves and junk out. Just be gentle so you don't "jam" the hose into the fins of the evap/heater core and bend the fins of them. I have to got look but I'm pretty sure I'm using 1/2 inch heater hose ~ 2 foot long.

Again, as I stated. I'm sure I'm on the "over kill" side of this topic :). We each have our little "things".

And I should add. Many places might offer two types of cabin filters......I can't spell but I think you'll get the idea.

There are "particulate" and carbon filters. The "particulate" ones filter out just that.....particles in the air. The carbon, they do the same but also help with odors. The carbon does cost more but if odors bother you then they might help. I use the "particulate" ones in mine.

Yep, I like the granulated carbon best myself

Poorman, isn't there a plastic grate at the intake to prevent leaves and larger objects from getting into the system?

Hmmm, never changed a cabin filter; don't really see the point.

The point is cleaner, fresher air, reducing dust in the cabin and less strain on the heating/AC system

As with any other sieve type filter, the air coming through an old filter is cleaner than the air coming through a new filter. Said another way, a clean filter means less clean air in the car.

"As with any other sieve type filter, the air coming through an old filter is cleaner than the air coming through a new filter. Said another way, a clean filter means less clean air in the car."

Excuse me, Shipo... but that makes no sense. Please enlighten

Try this:

• Take a colander and line it with cheese cloth
• Squeeze the juice and pulp and seeds from say 10 lemons
• Now pour the juice, seeds, and pulp through the colander lined with the cheese cloth.

Initially you'll see reasonably pure lemon juice flowing through at a good rate.
As the sieve gradually clogs two things happen:

1. The lemon juice becomes much more clear
2. The rate of flow through the sieve is measurably reduced

The above example illustrates exactly will happen to any other sieve type filter, be it an oil filter, an air filter, a fuel filter, or even cheese cloth in a colander.

Interesting comparison... sorta' like oranges and baseballs.
Air and liquid are two different elements with obviously different functional properties
However, no need to continue the debate... once again, 'to each their own'. For me, I'll change my car's cabin filter per manufacturer's recommendation

When you study "fluid dynamics", there is no distinction made between gasses and liquids (at least not within the context of filtration). The same thing applies here regarding sieve type filters, regardless of whether the flow being filtered is a gas or a liquid, the analogy stated above applies exactly.

• Fluid dynamics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You said it - it's the balance between the better filtration vs. the reduced flow rate.

The other thing you didn't mention is whether the filter picks up anything like mildew that stinks up the cabin.

Not just personal preference, but it depends on where you live. Humidity, mold, mildew, dust, etc...

To be sure if my cabin filter started to smell, I'd change that sucker in a heart beat. :)

So be it, indeed you may have a valid argument concerning flow dynamics. Regardless, my personal preference is to change the filter and I use the granulated charcoal type

Wishing you, Shipo, and all members a happy and productive day