Cabin Air Filter
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 1,221
From: Southern Crescent
Since I've got a pavement queen and an inferior filter won't likely hurt anything in this application I'll probably go with whatever is on sale. Not too particular about this filter, either.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,308
Likes: 250
From: Hartford, WI
IF it doesn't filter well, doesn't that mean more crap is getting past? IOW you are breathing in more crap and your car is getting dirtier. For some, that might mean more cleaning. For others, more frequent visits to the detailer. I run the HVAC every minute the car is running so if I took out the filter, I am getting more dust to breathe in.
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 10,162
Likes: 1,373
From: Chaz
The high micron ones blow less air and clog earlier. Depends on your climate, but can’t use those around here.
Definitely agree with above about less interior dust with the higher micron filter, I have an Sclass Mercedes and it has a huge filtration system on it and black interior and I haven’t cleaned the interior in 18 months and it looks good as new.
I run the cheapie EPAuto charcoal one off Amazon or the Motorcraft one on my trucks. Work fine.
Definitely agree with above about less interior dust with the higher micron filter, I have an Sclass Mercedes and it has a huge filtration system on it and black interior and I haven’t cleaned the interior in 18 months and it looks good as new.
I run the cheapie EPAuto charcoal one off Amazon or the Motorcraft one on my trucks. Work fine.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 1,357
From: NY/Canada border
That's the direction I'm taking. Buy 'em cheap, throw an air freshener in with it at change time and do it once a year or so. No dusty conditions for me either.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 1,221
From: Southern Crescent
Even with no filter at all, like every other vehicle I have ever owned and most I have ridden in, you are breathing outside air. Just like you do when you are outside. I learned to drive in trucks with no a/c at all, Owned several myself with no a/c.
I would notice poor flow rate long before I noticed poor filtration from whatever filter was on sale.
I would notice poor flow rate long before I noticed poor filtration from whatever filter was on sale.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,308
Likes: 250
From: Hartford, WI
Even with no filter at all, like every other vehicle I have ever owned and most I have ridden in, you are breathing outside air. Just like you do when you are outside. I learned to drive in trucks with no a/c at all, Owned several myself with no a/c.
I would notice poor flow rate long before I noticed poor filtration from whatever filter was on sale.
I would notice poor flow rate long before I noticed poor filtration from whatever filter was on sale.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 1,221
From: Southern Crescent
Oh I think having a filter is nice. But when it comes time to replace it, it's going to be with what ever is on sale. Not too picky about it as I am oil, tires, spark plugs.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,428
Likes: 728
From: Wisconsin
I took mine out years ago. Some vehicle have them and some don't. I've seen plenty of filters with odd looking crud on them and no way do I want to inhale that stuff (mouse nest/droppings, bugs, etc. Sure it might be in my plenum already, so what, I grew up with out a cabin filter and will do with out. Its a silly debate IMO. I have maximum cfm blowing through and all is good, one less thing to worry about, lol
Temporarily Deactivated
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 279
Likes: 125
Wix would be my first choice but they have really bumped their prices up as of late so like every company that has went crazy with the pricing, I look elsewhere. Fram cabin filters seem to be half a wix price now. I’d go that route.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 472
Likes: 153
From: Southeast Wisconsin
In the past, I have been a huge fan of Wix filters, but as you said, their pricing is forcing me to look at more economical options. Particularly in the case of cabin filters. One day when I get really bored, I just may try building a little wood box and using household furnace filter media to make a cost effective cabin filter that would cost me about $3.00 for enough filter media to last me years.