in-cabin filter and drop-in filters
01-23-2016, 11:42 PM
#1
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 253
in-cabin filter and drop-in filters
So I've had my car just over 20 months and have been noticing a funny smell the past couple months every once in awhile. At first I thought it was just because the carpet got a little damp occasionally so I bought an air freshener clip. Then I thought it may be a heater core leak, but that checked out okay. On the way home tonight, I noticed it was getting worse, especially when using the heat. Then it hit me, I haven't changed the in-cabin filter since I've had my car!
So my question is which kind do you guys use? I found a cheap paper one for about $11 online, but there is also a Fram fresh breeze which is supposed to deodorize airflow for $18. Then there is the K&N which is a little pricey at $40, but still not that bad since you don't have to replace it. Do you think there would be any other benefits to the K&N like performance or air flow gains? I'm doubting it since the K&N engine drop-in reportedly doesn't offer any real gains unless you get a tune. But then again, I've used them on almost all my cars in the past and swear it at least made better engine sound and slight mileage increase.
So my question is which kind do you guys use? I found a cheap paper one for about $11 online, but there is also a Fram fresh breeze which is supposed to deodorize airflow for $18. Then there is the K&N which is a little pricey at $40, but still not that bad since you don't have to replace it. Do you think there would be any other benefits to the K&N like performance or air flow gains? I'm doubting it since the K&N engine drop-in reportedly doesn't offer any real gains unless you get a tune. But then again, I've used them on almost all my cars in the past and swear it at least made better engine sound and slight mileage increase.
Last edited by Mrbobcat; 01-23-2016 at 11:44 PM.
01-24-2016, 12:07 AM
#2
I tried one of those scented cabin air filers and didn't notice much of a difference...maybe the filter was old or something but I would just get a regular air filter. You could douse it with several sprays of Febreeze or something and probably get a similar result.
01-26-2016, 06:38 PM
#4
So I've had my car just over 20 months and have been noticing a funny smell the past couple months every once in awhile. At first I thought it was just because the carpet got a little damp occasionally so I bought an air freshener clip. Then I thought it may be a heater core leak, but that checked out okay. On the way home tonight, I noticed it was getting worse, especially when using the heat. Then it hit me, I haven't changed the in-cabin filter since I've had my car!
So my question is which kind do you guys use? I found a cheap paper one for about $11 online, but there is also a Fram fresh breeze which is supposed to deodorize airflow for $18. Then there is the K&N which is a little pricey at $40, but still not that bad since you don't have to replace it. Do you think there would be any other benefits to the K&N like performance or air flow gains? I'm doubting it since the K&N engine drop-in reportedly doesn't offer any real gains unless you get a tune. But then again, I've used them on almost all my cars in the past and swear it at least made better engine sound and slight mileage increase.
So my question is which kind do you guys use? I found a cheap paper one for about $11 online, but there is also a Fram fresh breeze which is supposed to deodorize airflow for $18. Then there is the K&N which is a little pricey at $40, but still not that bad since you don't have to replace it. Do you think there would be any other benefits to the K&N like performance or air flow gains? I'm doubting it since the K&N engine drop-in reportedly doesn't offer any real gains unless you get a tune. But then again, I've used them on almost all my cars in the past and swear it at least made better engine sound and slight mileage increase.
I found this one but not sure -
01-27-2016, 05:12 PM
#8
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 62
I just bought a used '08 and it looked like the cabin air filter had never been changed, but the engine air filter looked brand new. I'll bet cabin air filters are the least changed items on a car.
Don
Don
01-29-2016, 05:40 AM
#10
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 253
Yeah, I ended up getting the Fram. I can't really smell the deodorizer, but no more bad smell in the car and that's the main thing. The old filter was loaded with gunk and looks like it got wet a few times.