Cabin Air Filters: Some Questions

[Drew Henderson]

I’ve been going down a maintenance checklist for my 2009 Hyundai Sonata – and saw that its way past time for the cabin air filter to be changed. I see also that Eric has shot a series of “How To” videos for an aftermarket maker of same.

True Confession: I was only dimly aware that Cabin Air Filters existed.

From a purely engineering/scientific/logical standpoint – I certainly understand the rationale behind why carmakers would put such a feature in their vehicles. But I question a) how effective they really are at removing contaminants and b) what – if any – consequences are likely to ensure if the maintenance schedule is skipped, or if the filter itself is completely removed.

I’m guessing here – but no one has ever found themselves stranded because they didn’t change their cabin air filter. No one ever ended up looking at a huge repair bill because they skimped on changing them.

The filter for my Hyundai costs less than $10. Replacing it looks like a tool-free five minute job. But even so – like any operation, there is a risk that I might break or damage the trim in the process.

So I’m trying to run the risk/reward calculus on Cabin Air Filter replacement. Any info – and especially links to tests showing the effectiveness of such filters – would be much appreciated.

Topic

[James O’Hara]

If ya wanna save money take a shop vac and vacuum the dirty side. Tap the filter out vacuum again. Repeat that like 3x unless it is really really bad it should restore flow. Not a guarantee though I would say go with Fram or Purolator aka pep boys brand for cabin air filters. It is what I use in my cars and no problem as of yet.

[Daniel Weith]

[quote=”vrDrew” post=151560][quote=”BigDanIL279″ post=151540][
I have run K&N filters in the stock air box in my last three vehicles and it is difficult to determine if a 5HP gain is true, but on average maybe a 1 or 2 MPG increase over the stock filter depending upon the driving style..[/quote]

That may very well be true about the filter that cleans the air going into the engine. But I question whether its possible to justify paying five times as much money for a filter that cleans the air going into the passenger compartment.

K&N is a trusted, high-quality brand of filters. But even the best companies sometimes test our credulity- and our pocketbooks.[/quote]

I did purchase a K&N cabin filter for my wife’s Corolla on the first filter change, and it has been about six months. I will check it out on Sun 8 Nov to determine if it is time for a cleaning. She would normally have the dealership change the filter before we were married and that does cost about the same price as a K&N filter ($40) with the recharge kit ($10-15). The OEM filter MSRP is $20 double the price when sold at the dealership plus labor; filter paid for after first cleaning. A mid grade filter say a Purolator for $20 with a DIY change take about 2-1/2 changes for the filter to pay for itself. I do save the OEM filter from the first change to install during the cleaning process, so other than the purchase of the K&N filter and cleaning kit no other expense related to the cleaning process.

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