Check your Cabin Air Filter Today!

[la cucaracha]

I checked mine today at less than 2500 miles and was surprised at:

1. How dirty it was.
2. What a crapy filter it is.
3. How easy it is to check/change. Less than 5 minutes.

I am now looking for an alternative to the OEM. Does anyone have a lead on a good one that fits a 2008 and can be obtained on line?

[Rae Vynn]

See my post above yours. I got mine at RockAuto online.

[snijd]

I got a couple of Frams from Amazon.com, and shipping was free. That trumped everyone else's prices! The Bosch might use denser material (not sure about that), but the Fram includes activated charcoal, which should reduce odor ingestion. Still waiting for an especially smelly diesel bus or truck to verify this, but so far, so good.

[brad_rules_man]

Originally Posted by snijd

I got a couple of Frams from Amazon.com, and shipping was free. That trumped everyone else's prices! The Bosch might use denser material (not sure about that), but the Fram includes activated charcoal, which should reduce odor ingestion. Still waiting for an especially smelly diesel bus or truck to verify this, but so far, so good.

I did exactly the same thing. I also tend to keep the a/c on "recirculate mode." At least, right now while I can get away with it. I have noticed a huge difference in the filtering capability of the FRAM vs the Toyota filter. I imagine the Bosch is just as good too, but I will try that next.

[snijd]

I think I'm prepared to state that the Fram doesn't completely eliminate noxious odors, but it seems to help. When following a particularly nasty gross polluter, I can still smell the fumes, but with the windows rolled down, it's even worse. Of course, it can do nothing about high levels of CO.

BTW, the Fram filter weighs in at 3.7 ounces, vs. the Toyota filter's .7 ounces. Priced by the pound, that makes the Fram a bargain, assuming the additional content makes a difference. I think it's mostly the charcoal.

One other issue it's not going to help with is any mold which might have been created around the evaporator--evidently a common occurrence. I've tried to develop the habit of turning off the A/C a few minutes before arriving at my destination. Some Volvos evidently have a firmware rule which runs the cabin fan for a few minutes after engine shutdown if the A/C was in operation, simply to help prevent mold.

I think for healthy cabin air we need to manage both internal and external sources of pollution.

[a priori]

Changed both filters today at 15,795 miles. Both were necessary changes.

[bruceha_2000]

Originally Posted by DaveinOlyWA

what i do, bite the bullet, buy one. then wash the dirty one. swap them back and forth.

Thanks to all who suggested this. I hadn't thought whether or not the filter was washable! They are $19+ (10% discount on parts since we bought a car at the dealer) plus tax and as many have said, not exactly a real high end product. I tried to find the Fram and Bosch, but no one stocks them locally and I wanted to look before I lept. I really want something that will filter pollen and diesel (and skunk if possible !!)

I bought two new ones this week, put them in the cars and washed the old ones. As Dave said, you can hardly tell the washed from the new. You all just saved me a bunch of money since it looks like they should be washable at least several times. If I can wash them 5 times, I've saved $100/car. Plus, I'm more likely to change them quicker if I know it isn't going to cost $20+.

[Ghostrider]

I changed mine in less than two minutes with the instructions on page 1. However you do not need to lower the glove box all the way and stress the hinges. I pushed in both side and removed the damper. I then supported the drawer on my knee and pulled the filter. No need to worry about lining up the hinges.

[AOV]

Unbelievable! Changing the cabin air filter was as easy as wiping a baby's behind! (which I do for a living!). The engine air filter was even easier. Both showed evidence that I had unwanted visitors there, so they needed to be changed as oppose to being just washed. It was time, the car has almost 30K miles on it. I bought both (cabin and engine air filters) at the dealer, paid top dollar, of course, yet I saved a lot of money, time and travel by doing it myself. Next time, I will shop around for parts. Anyone can changed these filters, its so easy! And I agree....no need to lower the glove box all the way.

[snowbird]

OK dumb question - I've downloaded the instruction for the cabin filter and I'll do that. Where is the engine filter - or will that be obvious and easy to change without special instuctions? (Its dark out so I won't just run out and look.)