Cabin air filter?

[Jack Countryman]

I've seen mention of a 'cabin air filter' for some models of Subaru.
Evidently this (if present) is up behind the glove box. On my 02 LLBeam
Outback Wagon, I can see a piece of open cell foam up there, but nothing
like the paper filter elements I see for sale on eBay and elsewhere for that
location. How do I tell if my vehicle has one, or how do I get to it to
check/replace it, if there is one? Is that the open cell foam I'm seeing
over the top of the open glove box? Or is that something else? Thanks.

 

[Blair Baucom]

Normally there will be a sticker telling there has been a cabin air filter
installed near the door strike of the drivers door. The other way is remove
the glove box, 9 screws on my 2005 Forester, and the filter will be right
above the fan. If not there it can be added on your 2002. You won't see it
unless you remove the glove box, it will be behind it. The plate is marked.

Blair

 

[AS]

The filter is in the space between the blower fan and the evaporator
housing.

You have to remove the glove compartment so you can remove the lid that
allows the filter to be pulled out.

There is normally a sticker telling that the filter was installed or
replaced. A few months I replaced the one in the 2003 wife's Outback
and there was barely any dirt on it. We are in south FL and we normally
keep the windows closed with the recirculation on.

Good luck!

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I've seen mention of a 'cabin air filter' for some models of Subaru.
Evidently this (if present) is up behind the glove box. On my 02 LLBeam
Outback Wagon, I can see a piece of open cell foam up there, but nothing
like the paper filter elements I see for sale on eBay and elsewhere for that
location. How do I tell if my vehicle has one, or how do I get to it to
check/replace it, if there is one? Is that the open cell foam I'm seeing
over the top of the open glove box? Or is that something else? Thanks.

There may be installation info at www.cars101.com for this. The OEM
replacement is pricey - either order form a discount dealer (got my
first ones from www.subarugenuineparts.com) or make your own
replacements from home HVAC filters.

Carl

 

[isquat]

Normally there will be a sticker telling there has been a cabin air filter
installed near the door strike of the drivers door. The other way is remove

I've installed the air filter on my OBS a month or so ago and it
came without a sticker. The previous filter however DID come
with a sticker. Needless to say, the only way to tell is to remove the
countless screws and pull the glovebox out to tell if there is one or
not especially if the OP has no clue how much time the old
filter spent in there. For $54 I have to ponder if I should follow
Carl's advice and make my own next time

 

[Frank]

There may be installation info atwww.cars101.comfor this. The OEM
replacement is pricey - either order form a discount dealer (got my
first ones fromwww.subarugenuineparts.com) or make your own
replacements from home HVAC filters.

Carl

I took mine ('03 Forester) out and washed it. $50 or so price is
outreageous. You will need diagram to access filter as it takes 9-12
screws removed. My '98 had easier access to filter which was under
glove compartment. Do not know what year swithc was made.

Frank

 

[Jack Countryman]

I didn't find anything on this at the web sites you mention... Does anyone
know where I can find pictures or clear descriptions of how to find this
filter once the glove box is out (I didn't see any filter in there other
than some soft open cell foam up under the dash)?

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I didn't find anything on this at the web sites you mention... Does anyone
know where I can find pictures or clear descriptions of how to find this
filter once the glove box is out (I didn't see any filter in there other
than some soft open cell foam up under the dash)?

http://www.cars101.com/subaru/airfiltration.html