Passenger Compartment Air Filter Changing Schedule

[Charlievibe]

I did a search on the passenger comparment air filters to see if anyone has given a time frame as to how often they change the filters, and I didn't see anything. So here is my question...I hit 6K a month back and when I took my car into the dealer to have the filter changed, I was told that I could go until 12K before changing it. I drive mainly in the city, but I live in new contruction and drive through an area where they are bring an interstate in. Should I be changing the filter prior to 12K? I know that the owners manual says 6K, but the dealer is saying something else.What do you all think? Something is telling me I need to be changing the filter.Thanks.

[ragingfish]

Well, first thing you should know is that passenger cabin air filter replacement is OPTIONAL, not mandatory. The manual states you can operate the system with no filter installed if you choose.That aside, there is no real set schedule on when to change it. Your best bet is to just take a look at the filter yourself and gauge if it needs to be replaced.To do that, just open the glovebox. Pull gently on it until the bottom of it releases from the hinge. Slide the entire box upward until the box slides out of the notches. Now if you look behind the box, you'll see two tabs you have to push down on. See here: If you read the manual, it says push UP those clips, when in fact, you have to push them down. Anyway, fold down the door, and you'll see your filter. Note how it's installed, and pull it out. Take a look at it. If it looks filthy, get a new one. Be ready to shell out some bucks. Cost most people around $31 to replace that.If not, just slide it back in and close the door. To reinstall the glove box, slide the stoppers in through the notches on the side of the opening. Then just snap the door back onto it's hinge, and you're good to go.If you opt not to change the filter, but it's still clogged, just remove it and close the filter door, without anything in it.

[Charlievibe]

This is very helpful, thank you. And, $31 is the price my dealer quoted to me for the part, so I am glad to see they weren't lying.Thanks again!!

[joatmon]

The 2004 owners manual lists the task as every 15,000 miles.I have 33K on mine, and the original filter. I check it periodically, but it is not dirty enough to warrant spending the money to replace it, since it is still serviceable. The cabin air filter filters out dust and such from the outside air, so that the air coming out of your air vents inside the car. It has nothing to do with the engine, and the owners manual even says that you can run with the filter removed.Quote, originally posted by "2004 Vibe owners manual page 3-24" »If you choose not to replace the air filter after removingit, using your vehicle without a filter won't causedamageSo, not sure where the 6,000 or 12,000 mile numbers came from, but the good news is that the dealer you took it to was honest and saved you some $$$. They get a couple credibility points for that. The service schedule calls for engine air filter inspection at 6K and 12K, and that is much more critical than the cabin air filter. If you have the stock intake, remember that the air flow is up from the bottom, so if you open up the engine air filter compartment to check the filter, the dirty side will be the bottom, so you have to pull the filter out to check it.

[Charlievibe]

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »The service schedule calls for engine air filter inspection at 6K and 12K, and that is much more critical than the cabin air filter. If you have the stock intake, remember that the air flow is up from the bottom, so if you open up the engine air filter compartment to check the filter, the dirty side will be the bottom, so you have to pull the filter out to check it.You know, I wonder if I confused the engine air filter inspection with the cabin filter inspection, I bet I did. Thanks for pointing that out.The dealership I go to is great. They have never stiffed me for anything and have given me dealer costs on after market installations. And, what makes this so cool to me is this ins't the dealership I bought the car from. The dealer I bought the car from has a bunch of a-holes in their service department. When I owned my Grand Am, the other dealer tried to tell me my fuel system needed to be flushed and it would cost me $400. I took it to another group, who was recommended by my current dealer, who said the system didn't need to be flushed, but they would do it anyway, for free. I have warm fuzzies for my current service dealership

[drunkenmaxx]

i'm sure the mileage reccomendation is a ploy to get you to shell some cheddar to the dealer. what if you don't use the vent system for that entire 12k miles? obviously, you don't need to change it then. i doubt i will ever change mine, no other car i've had even had one, so what do i care? if i was going to change it, i would go by visual inspection for a guide as to when...

[Raven]

If you are never going to change it, it would be wise to remove it. They usually get plugged to the point of restricting air flow in 2-3 years. I have a double filter on my '99 GMC and I find it pretty dirty after a year; butterflies, bees, leaves, you name it.

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by Sunny »If you are never going to change it, it would be wise to remove it. They usually get plugged to the point of restricting air flow in 2-3 years. I have a double filter on my '99 GMC and I find it pretty dirty after a year; butterflies, bees, leaves, you name it.I did so much dusty driving this summer (thank you Indiana) that mine ended up getting replaced just after the 1 year mark.

[Caretaker]

Charlievibe: please don't waste your money. Go to Lowe's or Home Depot and buy a 3 pack of Dirt Demon high performance pleated furnace air filters. I got the 20x20x1 size. Simply take out your filter and cut yourself a new one. For well under $10, you have a couple of year's worth of air filters. I recommend replacing them every 4 months. This is what I have done, and it is amazing how much dirt, grime, and leaves are in the filter after 4 months. Please be careful on removing the 2 plastic clips. I have already broken one of them, lifting them in the wrong direction. If both clips break, you can always use duct tape to fasten the door closed. No big deal really. Please don't waste your money on the dealer's filter, nor the time and expense to replace it. Best wishes.

[Charlievibe]

Maxx,This is great information, thank you. I will be stopping by Lowe's Saturday for some home air filters and will get some of the filters you have recommended. Then I will go home and give it a shot.Thanks again.

[sylvainber]

do you re-frame the furnace filter panels you cut out? usually the frame helps the filter fit snug in the opeining so that air won't simply bypass the filter around the perimeter of the opening.i like your idea. if it works for the furnace, why not in the car.does anyone know if the strength of the blower may have an effect on the suitability of this substitute? (my furnace has a bigger blower than my car )thanks sylvain

[Caretaker]

Nope, I just place the old one over the new one, and snip with scissors. Therefore, two sides are not framed. At the size of the filter (20x20x1), you get 4 Vibe filters per funace filter. Factor in that there are 3 in a pack at Lowe's/Home Depot, that's 12 Vibe filters in all for under $10. Again, I replace my Vibe filter 3 times a year. That means I have enough filters for 4 years. While I'm sure some particles get around the areas where there are no cardboard frames, I figure at the frequency that I am changing the filter, I'm probably no better/worse off than the OEM in terms of performance; but I am puting a lot of savings towards my annual red wine consumption