Replacement of Cabin Air Filters?

The ventiliation fan output on our 2000 van seems weak, so I am considering replacing the filters to see if output improves.

Anyone know how often these should be replaced?

Thanks,
berto

Try pulling the filters, and running the fans without them to see if it makes a big difference in air flow?

Walter

Try pulling the filters, and running the fans without them to see if it makes a big difference in air flow?

Walter

good idea, but...

i took the panel off for a quick look this morning before leaving for work and dried leaves and dust bunnies fell out into the glove compartment, so i think i'll just go ahead and replace the filters :-)

i'm betting replacement will REALLY improve air flow to the heater, which will make the wife happy since it's -10F and -25F with windchill where we live at this very moment!

thanks!

IIRC, the owner's manual recommends changing them every 30,000 miles.

BTW, these are a HEPA filter, and you'll spend about $40 - $50 for a new pair! But you're buying the filter material, not just the dealership's mark-up.

This will vastly improve your airflow. Worked on my wife's.

I asked the dealer to replace mine and they REFUSED,
saying that at 100.00$cdn,even they find it expensive....so I cleaned it myself and soon I'll change the dealer I deal with.
P.S. I have an Olds Silhouette.

Well,

i bought the new set of filters from the local dealer for $40 and installed them myself (takes longer to empty the glove box than it does to replace the filters...replacing the filters is a 30 second job).

air flow through the heater is about 30% better, so it was worth it, although i think next time i'll just remove the filters and call it good!

berto

I just bought a pair of filters at Carquest for $21.15. The filters are made by Wix. I figure even if they aren't as good as the dealers $60 filters, I can afford to change them out every year.

tmorris - what are the part numbers? Also since we are taking about the blower motor. On my Montana fan speeds 1 and 2 no longer work but 3-5 still do. Is that the blower motor resistor gone bad? And where is that located?

I will try and get the part number on the filters, but they should be able to look them up at Carquest. The Wix part number is 24811, so I think the carquest one has different first numbers, but the last 3 are 811. I might still have the box in the garbage, so I will check and get back to you. Check your email, I have some stuff that might interest you on the blower motor.

I replaced the cabin filters in my '99 for $15 US from Autozone. The pair came packaged together from Bosch. Once in the glove box, the first filter pulls straight out. The 2nd filter is on the left in the same opening. Pull it right and then straight out. Both are oriented in the same direction against each other.

I reolaced mine with some from the local auto parts store. Not the fancy dealer ones, but they seem to do the job. Air flow was better. Mine had lots of leafs and debris in them. Seems like they cost around $20 for the pair.

Keith

I went to replace mine for the first time about a year after I bought my van, and discovered mice had somehow gotten into the area on the other side of the filter. They chewed through the filter and made a nest in my glove box. They did it again about 2 years ( and 2 more filter changes ,) later. I wonder if anybody else has experienced this problem?

I wash the cabin filters with a good soap cleaner spray (like 409) and water letting them soak. Agitating them in the soapy water helps to remove almost all of the dust, pollen and particles like leaves, twigs and other unrecognizable stuff. Rinse them and let them dry in the sun or over an air register or outside on top of your home central air conditioner.

They are sturdy with fiber filter material and activated charcoal imbedded. The water and soap do not appear to harm them. Of course, they won't last forever though.

Having a pair to switch to reduces the cost significantly over simply chucking them and buying new ones once a year. I'm on year 7 now. The replacement pair cost me about $40 at the dealership.

To add a hint of freshness, spray them with Febreze Fabric Refresher before reinstalling them.
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