Vehicle Cabin Filter

[Formerly Known as Bigfoot]

If your car is a few years old and you have never changed this filter you should.  My 07 Tundra had an odor when I used the defroster.  Changed the filter and was shocked at how filthy it was.  Made a difference.  I knew most cars had one now but never bothered worrying about this one.

[Kneescrubber]

I have an 05, never noticed an odor. Where is this filter located?

[Fourstring]

I have an 05, never noticed an odor. Where is this filter located?

Depends on the car, but it's typically behind the glove box.

[HipGnosis]

Speaking of rare auto maintenance...
You should also armor-all (et. all) your weather stripping once in a while. Doors & trunk.
I had a Chrysler (very nice car otherwise) where the weather stripping around the doors shrunk - to the point the 'wind' got loud going down the highway and then it interferred with the doors closing.
Because each piece is molded for ea specific door they are dealer-only items, so not cheap. I 'fixed' it by 'shifting' them around the door openings and leaving a gap at the bottom of the door.

[birdrunner]

If your car is a few years old and you have never changed this filter you should.  My 07 Tundra had an odor when I used the defroster.  Changed the filter and was shocked at how filthy it was.  Made a difference.  I knew most cars had one now but never bothered worrying about this one.

Was the odor only noticable when you were in the truck?    

[Formerly Known as Bigfoot]

I have an 05, never noticed an odor. Where is this filter located?

If it's a Tundra it should be behind the glovebox.  The glove box has a strap that holds the box in place when open.  Release this then depress the two sides to drop the box out of the way.  The filter should be behind this with a black cover that's pretty easy to remove.  Beware.  This cheap filter is expensive.  Mine was $20 but was told some go up to $80 or so.

[Formerly Known as Bigfoot]

Was the odor only noticable when you were in the truck?    

Now that you mention it.









 

[stevent]

Was the odor only noticable when you were in the truck?    

 

[tjhess74]

my wife has an 08 saturn vue.  ive changed the filter once since then and it was moderately dirty.  the listed price for our filters is over $60    i can buy them on ebay all day long for $10 or less w/shipping.  i would suggest that if the one for your vehicle is ungodly high.   ours is behind the glove box as well.

[Kneescrubber]

If it's a Tundra it should be behind the glovebox.  The glove box has a strap that holds the box in place when open.  Release this then depress the two sides to drop the box out of the way.  The filter should be behind this with a black cover that's pretty easy to remove.  Beware.  This cheap filter is expensive.  Mine was $20 but was told some go up to $80 or so.

Yes, I neglected to say it's a Tundra. Thanks for the info.  

[X1Glider]

If it's a Tundra it should be behind the glovebox.  The glove box has a strap that holds the box in place when open.  Release this then depress the two sides to drop the box out of the way.  The filter should be behind this with a black cover that's pretty easy to remove.  Beware.  This cheap filter is expensive.  Mine was $20 but was told some go up to $80 or so.

I've bought them at Walmart for my wife.  We live near the "piney woods" in Texas, so we get a lot of pollen no matter the time of year.  She takes takes shots every week for her allergies to tolerate the air here and the filter likely helps her.  I wish mine had one.  They sure do work.

[veefer800canuck]

My daughter was complaining of no heat in her car, it's a Taurus.

The thermostat was stuck wide open, so I changed that, which was the main culprit, BUT secondarily, her cabin air filter was pretty much level with crap from the outdoors, so I swapped that, and she has heat galore now.

[Jason F.]

Speaking of rare auto maintenance...
You should also armor-all (et. all) your weather stripping once in a while. Doors & trunk.
I had a Chrysler (very nice car otherwise) where the weather stripping around the doors shrunk - to the point the 'wind' got loud going down the highway and then it interferred with the doors closing.
Because each piece is molded for ea specific door they are dealer-only items, so not cheap. I 'fixed' it by 'shifting' them around the door openings and leaving a gap at the bottom of the door.

Really bad idea to use Armor All or any of the other similar sprays on any rubber part of your car. There are products designed for rubber seals and they are relatively inexpensive. I have a tube of a product from Honda, I think I paid 7 or 8 bucks for it years ago at the dealer, and it has lasted for years. Chemically I do not know what causes it but the protectant sprays like armor all seem to break down the rubber seals over time. In years past I saw some real damage from armor all including discoloration, surface cracking, and deterioration of the seal to the point just touching the seal would leave your hands black.

They got a bad reputation many years ago for causing damage to plastic, vinyl, and leather surfaces but switched to water based silicone based ingredients in later formulas. Nearly all the interior spray products contain water based silicone but armor all is still not a great product. There are many that are much better. Personally I prefer 303 Aerospace Protectant but also use Mequiar's Vinyl and Rubber Cleaner from time to time.

http://www.amazon.com/Honda-Genuine-Shin-Etsu-Grease/dp/B006Z9TZ9M
 
http://www.amazon.com/303-Products-Inc-Protectant-Spray/dp/B0004ELKC4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329318524&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-M4016-Vinyl-Rubber-Cleaner/dp/B0002SQYV4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329318539&sr=8-1

[googus]

Yeh- the Nissan dealer wanted 100 bucks to change mine in my maxima at 15K. I told them no thank you I will buy one and install it myself