How often are you guys changing these? I have seen two different numbers, 10k and 15k.

TIA

 

Cabin air filter? You mean the one above the glovebox? I change mine monthly because it gets dirty fast.

As far as the engine filter, I change that every other oil change.

Hopefully I got the terminology right.

 

Wow, you have to change the cabin every month?

Where are you 4 wheelin at

 

It all depends on what area you live in. If you live in a dry, dusty area or if you smoke in your car chances are that your cabin air filter will get dirty quick. I would probably check it once a month, But I change mine every 6 months or so, I smoke and I live in So. Cal.

 

Ok, just seems pretty frequent. We have a Hyundai Sonata too, and if you dont change it every 10k, it starts smelling moldy. I just realized my car is past 10k now, but the air still smells fresh. Must be a diff design. I'll order one and compare the condition.

 

There is really no set interval to change it even though most places recommend every 15k. Just check it periodically and see if it needs to be replaced. I've got 40k on my car and I've replaced mine once. I'm coming up on due again.

 

Yeah basically I try to change it every single month because it gets black fast. It's the craziest stuff. But I figure it'd be healthier for me to drive around with a clean filter, so I pretty much base the intervals off the air vent that you would use in a conventional air hvac system in a house. Because I change it frequently, I don't bother to buy the Scion filter and instead modded my own using a conventional a/c filter, and I simply cut it to fit into the cabin filter slot. Because I use one that is better for filtering, I feel comfortable knowing that the air coming into the cabin is a lot cleaner.

 

If you want it to last longer you can close the vents when you don't need it (ie. driving with windows down, might as well close your vents.)

I've seen alot of people using house air filters, looks really sweet with the HEPA and all that other terminology. I plan on doing that pretty soon, last I saw you can cut out four filters from one house filter.

 

i do it every 15k and vacuum it every time i give the box a wash.

 

i was going to make a separate post on this issue i am having, but it may be related. does anyone else's XB smell? I get into my wife's 2008 and it just smells. And it seems to be coming out of the AC vents. Maybe I should replace this filter because there is some fungus or mold growing on it.

 

Yeah, when you cut the ac on and it initially smells funky, its time for the filter to go.

 

Ya think?

That's definitely your problem, replace that filter IMMEDIATELY... the next issue becomes "have the spores passed the filter, into the vent piping of your xB's climate control system?"

I honestly hope that solves it for you, because mold can also cause some serious health problems.

 

And don't forget to check the drain pan at the bottom of your box!

 

Mine was pretty dirty at 10k miles (just changed), and I do mostly hwy drivin. I'd say the dusty area people may look at 5k.

 

Im still on the stock one at 25k miles...Ordering one off ebay today since the dealership was trying to charge me $39 for it lol.

 

ok i just ordered an air filter for about 10.00 on ebay. hope it works.

 

I change mine once a year...I've thought about buying some special furnace filters that remove allergenic particles, cutting them to shape, and using that instead.

But just for the record, walmart carries cabin filters now...definitely cheaper than the dealership.

 

You could get a better deal with a DIY filter. Just get a normal house filter from a home project store and cut out the right size square, you can usually get four filters out of one.

 

I buy OEM off ebay for $13.

 

where is the drain pan you speak of?