Cabin Air Filter (F150, vehicles, 2013, brake)

[greg42]

Eventually it might get dirty enough to restrict the airflow through the climate control system, but it'll take a heckuva lot longer than 5k miles or 6 months or certainly 11 weeks!

Other than that it won't hurt anything. I dunno. I don't have one of these, but I'd probably replace it every couple years. The 30k figure sounds good to me, that would be about 2 years. Maybe if you drive in a lot of dust as mentioned it might be worth doing it sooner, but that's about it.

[evilnewbie]

I got a different car and it cost $9 to do it myself versus $40 they wanted... from what I understand, it lasts for about a year but most people go on for 2-3 years before replacing it without harm...

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by NARFALICIOUS

Glad my cars don't have cabin filters.

Cars that don't are horribly designed. The stuff from outside like leaves pollen get into the evaporator and corrode it.

[jazzcat22]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

For the OP - this is a clue about the integrity of your dealer's service department. More than likely they will soon recommend a transmission flush for $125. Honda does not require nor recommend that. Go by the maintenance minder on the dash and the owners manual, not what your dealer says.

Bingo! That was in February, at 35,000 miles. Yup, I fell for it. I'm done with the dealer. I'll go to a regular service shop like Goodyear which doesn't have as nice a waiting room, but which will be cheaper and more ethical.

Another thought: if the technician has to remove the cabin air filter to look at it to see if it needs to be replaced, then why a charge to install a new one? Wouldn't it be virtually the same procedure and time/effort to put back the old one/install the new one?

Thanks, everyone, for weighing in on this. Ironically, I thought a dealer would be more trustworthy than a stand-alone auto service place since they would want to do well by the customer so they would come back and buy a car from them. But I've read that if auto dealers aren't selling cars, then they expect the "service advisors" to increase the repairs since it's all under the same corporate umbrella.

[Pretzelogik]

Car Stealer?....Seriously many filters are now impregnated with charcoal and it makes it difficult to tell how dirty they are...Part of a sinister plot?

[OmegaSupreme]

I replaced my 2002 thunderbird cabin filter fairly easily following a car-specific guide on youtube, the old one was really dirty... from memory it was suggested they be replaced at 12,000-15,000 miles... it cost me around $15 I think

I also bought a lifetime engine filter from k&n, which was a lot more expensive.... it's probably due for a wash... that thing was a ***** to install compared to the cabin air filter

[DJDeadParrot]

Originally Posted by jazzcat22

Another thought: if the technician has to remove the cabin air filter to look at it to see if it needs to be replaced, then why a charge to install a new one? Wouldn't it be virtually the same procedure and time/effort to put back the old one/install the new one?

I actually had a garage try to sell me on a cabin filter change...2 months after I put a new one in. God bless him, he stuck to his sales line; "They can get pretty dirty in that time..."

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by jazzcat22

Another thought: if the technician has to remove the cabin air filter to look at it to see if it needs to be replaced, then why a charge to install a new one? Wouldn't it be virtually the same procedure and time/effort to put back the old one/install the new one?

Exactly! The labor required to inspect the filter is the same as the labor to replace it. (I suppose it takes 1 minute to open the package for the new filter).

BTW - I think Honda dealers are particularly aggressive at times selling service that people don't need. Most Hondas just don't need much service so the service department tries to get money from you somehow.

[LS Jaun]

Easy money maker for the dealer. Just say no. I actually had a Jiffy lube ask me is I wanted to change mine recently...My vehicle doesn't even have them. I'm not sure if they were trying to rip me off or were just making an assumption

[delta5ply10]

i have a toyota camry how do i change my filter or clean the incoming vents