Cabin air filtration filters

[cc0113830]

Has anybody actually replaced the cabin air filter? Seems like a bunch
of money and a pretty aggressive replacement schedule, and mostly lots
of profit for Subaru. Do these things really clog up? Can they be
cleaned with compressed air?

 

[null]

I haven't replaced mine yet but from what I've heard its pretty labor
instensive to get it out. I don't believe
they can be cleaned as they're a paper filter and its meant to trap fine
dust. I wonder if K&N or someone similar
makes a aftermarket though?

 

[brentlz]

Yep, and I was amazed at the amount of crud, leaves, dirt, etc the thing
caught.

The replacement filter was a cheap paper/fiber filter...hardly looked
worth the $30 cost. The original filter (in my case) was a plastic
edged/plastic mesh & fiber design. Much more sturdy looking. I rinsed
it under light water flow (against air flow direction) & it looks fine
for re-use...it will go back in the next time filter "replacement" is
due.

Brent.

 

[David & Caroline]

Has anybody actually replaced the cabin air filter? Seems like a bunch
of money and a pretty aggressive replacement schedule, and mostly lots
of profit for Subaru. Do these things really clog up? Can they be
cleaned with compressed air?

For the change interval, don't forget that it's not just miles like the
manual states - it's how often you use the fan in the car - if you rarely
use it, then it will last much longer. I am taking the once a year approach
to replacement (I always use the fan, rather than open windows, to keep
dust/pollen down in the car (but I am in the desert, so there is quite a bit
of crap in the air) - when I changed mine at one year, it was pretty gross
looking - some leaves, etc., but mostly black dirt - ideally, you want to
change it when the output side is starting to get dark in color (once you
get past that, you are blowing crud through the filter, which defeats it's
purpose) - $30, once a year, doesn't bug me too much - even so, I kept my
last filter and will try to fabricate something using a furnace filter
(maybe a 3M filtrete filter) next time...

depending on the car, changing them is pretty easy - in the Impreza, you
remove the glovebox (7 or 8 screws) and it's right there - might take 10
minutes if you take your time and go slow.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Someone on the net was working on a kit or instructions for making your own.

Purolater makes filters for some vehicles - they may not have caught up
with recent Subarus though.

Carl
1 Lucky Texan

 

[Y2KRedMustang]

I bought a '04 Forester XT without the cabin filter. Can the filter be
added from a dealer as a option or does it have to come with the car from
the factory?

Thanks
'04 Java Black Forester XT

 

[Brian McCloskey]

The filter can be added at any time, by the dealer or by you. When you
remove the glovebox, the heater duct has a removable section that clips on.
Removing this allows the filters to be installed. The filters cost ~$30, so
find out what your dealer charges to install...and let us know!
Brian

 

[Shamus in CO]

Any idea if there is one on a MY97 Impreza?

The filter can be added at any time, by the dealer or by you. When you
remove the glovebox, the heater duct has a removable section that clips on.
Removing this allows the filters to be installed. The filters cost ~$30, so
find out what your dealer charges to install...and let us know!
Brian

 

[Tony Hwang]

Hi,
Also some one reported about renewing the element using the old filter
frame. Buy a 3M electrostatic furnace filter at hardware store. And cut
the element to size and hot glue it onto the frame after removing old
dirty element.
Tony