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Thought I would share my experience as I have seen this discussed in the past. Had some hot days on a couple of recent trips to Lake Havasu and I just felt like once the truck was cooled inside and I turned the HVAC fan down it was as if the air stopped flowing. Did some research and found others complaining about aftermarket cabin filters. Normally I believe the aftermarket products are just as good if not better than OEM and more feature rich, but in this case there was an airflow trade off. We can leave out the discussion of the value of better filtering, etc. I run recirculate when it's really hot and my previous, truck didn't even have a cabin filter...
in front of first vent to right of driver. Each fan setting was allowed to stabilize for 10 seconds before recording data. Truck was on, all vents were open (including rear). The equipment is clearly not lab level sensitive so the device didn't register under setting 5 with the Bosch filter and had some variable readings at time.
Questionable Filter: Bosch 6081c (I've had great luck with these other vehicles though)
Data Bosch filter
Fan Setting / Fresh Air Speed / Recirculate Speed
5 / 374-393 / 433
6 / 492-511 / 551-570
7 / 590-610 / 649
**measurement in ft/min
Motorcraft Filter
Fan Setting / Fresh Air Speed / Recirculate Speed
3 / no measurement / 236
4 / 374 / 374
5 / 492 / 511
6 / 590 / 629
7 / 689 / 748
**measurement in ft/min
Thanks for taking the time to post this. Good info, and I'll stick with OEM cabin filters. I already have a couple of replacements ready for when they're needed.
Is there a filtration quality difference? The Bosch is a HEPA level filter. I would sacrifice one fan speed worth of airflow for better filtration. I replaced the stock one at 20k miles, so 10k miles on the Bosch. Worked fine in south Florida last week.
Is there a filtration quality difference? The Bosch is a HEPA level filter. I would sacrifice one fan speed worth of airflow for better filtration. I replaced the stock one at 20k miles, so 10k miles on the Bosch. Worked fine in south Florida last week.
I'm normally with you on that. However the Bosch restricted enough airflow that I really had to keep the fan cranking to keep the truck cool. I really thought something was wrong with the truck then decided to try the filter test.
I'm normally with you on that. However the Bosch restricted enough airflow that I really had to keep the fan cranking to keep the truck cool. I really thought something was wrong with the truck then decided to try the filter test.
And you have to worry about the fan working harder to draw air thru the filter. It's easier to replace the cabin filter than it is to replace blower motor!
And you have to worry about the fan working harder to draw air thru the filter. It's easier to replace the cabin filter than it is to replace blower motor!
Sure is. I had a home HVAC blower go after the tech that serviced it put too high of a MERV rating filter in it. Air flow was severely restricted.
Funny because after owning over 100 vehicles over 30+ years I have yet to need to replace a blower motor in a vehicle... It just is not a common failure regardless of the filter but you go ahead and worry I guess...
Sure is. I had a home HVAC blower go after the tech that serviced it put too high of a MERV rating filter in it. Air flow was severely restricted.
This is exactly right. I know several HVAC guys who recommend only using the cheap blue filters on home HVAC units for this exact reason and replacing them once a month.
Funny because after owning over 100 vehicles over 30+ years I have yet to need to replace a blower motor in a vehicle... It just is not a common failure regardless of the filter but you go ahead and worry I guess...
Good for you, you do you. Didn't say I was worrying about it, just mentioned what I would follow with the info that was shared by the OP.
Good for you, you do you. Didn't say I was worrying about it, just mentioned what I would follow with the info that was shared by the OP.
Oh definitely, I see more dumb things that people worry about here than maybe anywhere. You actually did mention this as something to worry about... I just mentioned how I found it entertaining. Like so many things today somebody will read that and actually think it is a concern, which is unfortunate.
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