DIY Cabin Filter Replacement

[john802]

Nice going Wilson!!! I think you better think twice and change the filter every 15,000 miles instead of 30,000. I remembered that when I replaced my cabin filter just after I came back from Alaska, the filter was as dirty as yours.

[krygny]

Originally posted by wwong
I just changed the cabin filter following hondaman2's instructions. Within the white box I outlined is the plastic piece that must be cut and removed.

Something doesn't make sense. You have to cut a piece of plastic out of the dash to replace the filter?!! How do you replace it? Does the filter come with instructions and a replacement plastic piece. Do you replace it at all? if not, what's it doing there in the first place?

[wwong]

krygny,

I think the plastic piece that gets cut out is a support when the dash is molded and assembled. The metal bracket behind it replaces it. So, once you cut out the plastic, just toss it out.

john802,

I was surprised how black the filter was. Must be the LA smog!

[sungchang]

Sorry if I missed it, but what's the recommend mileage (time frame) to replace Cabin Filter.

Btw thanks hondaman2 and wwong for detailed information.

One another question, do you guys have specific recommended brand of Cabin filter and where can I get hold of one for the cheapest price?

[sungchang]

Admin:

I have compiled hondaman2's instructions and step by step photos onto one word doc (1mb). Is there a way I can post so that people can dl? I can pm someone the word file. Let me know.

[Bill Balmer]

I just now came inside from doing this job, and let me tell you, it's a piece of CAKE. Thanks for the clear and concise instructions, Hondaman.

Don't let anyone tell you it's difficult. I didn't have any of the problems so many people have talked about - no difficulty getting that right hand screw out, I didn't even have to pull back the dash to get to the one on the left, as in the instructions.

I've been putting this off for a while because I didn't know how long the car would be tied up if I ran into trouble like others did, but I'm back inside sipping a cool one just 30 minutes after I decided to tackle it. And it will be even easier next time because there will be no plastic strip to cut out.

Speaking of that strip, I was planning on using my Dremel rotary tool to cut it, but when I opened it up I discovered there was no appropriate attachment, so I used an old pair of tin snips. It was a minor struggle, but the pre-cut grooves gave me a place to get a bite on the piece and it came out in less than 2 minutes.

As for a good place to get the filter, I got mine at my local Napa. They did have to order it, so it took a few days, but it cost me a whopping $22.29 US - less than half what the dealer wanted, and no Ebay hassles or shipping charges.

I hadn't noticed any deterioration in the air quality or amount of air flow, but my filter was dirty just like everyone else's - maybe they blacken them at the factory??

After a dusty, dirt road vacation out west, my cabin air now is sweet and clean once again.

[JeffU]

Hondaman,
Thanks for the step by step. It really is not hard at all. I purchased a NAPA filter, but am less than pleased with the quality compared to OEM. May check out the BOSCH next time or pay the extra$$$$ for the Honda filter.

[smurray]

Originally posted by wwong
krygny,

I think the plastic piece that gets cut out is a support when the dash is molded and assembled. The metal bracket behind it replaces it. So, once you cut out the plastic, just toss it out.

john802,

I was surprised how black the filter was. Must be the LA smog!

Wilson, I remember soon after the big fires last year the news recommended you change your car air filters because of all the particulates in the air. This is probably what made yours as dirty as it was.

[vellinga]

Just did the cabin filter replacement, with much appreciation for the instructions and pictures in this thread.

It took me about 45 minutes from the time that I removed the door sill to the time that I returned it to it's place. Could have been faster, but I deploy the 'measure twice and cut once' methodology for everything. It will be faster next time.

Here's a picture of how dirty our filter was, after 33000 miles.

[apexi350z]

wow, that is dirty.. maybe we should change them around 24,000miles?

[john802]

I just finished changing my a/c filter for the 2nd time, since I bought my pilot, this morning. This time around, it took me almost 20 minutes from start to finish since there was no plastic to cut anymore. The old filter was dirty for less than 9 months of serviced. I was just planning to clean the cabin filter box from debris but when I saw how dirty the filter was, I decided to changed it.

[Sunday Rider]

I changed the Cabin Filter today. It was as dirty as Vellinga's. It took around 30 minutes.

Big thanks to Hondaman 2 and the others who have posted on the subject.

Cutting the plastic bar was as tough as it got, which wasn't too bad. I used tin snips.

When I removed the plastic entry piece, I noticed salt stains under, so I had to steam that out, which added more time.

For the Canadian guys, I bought the cabin filter at Canadian Tire, which was less than half price at dealers. (32$ vs. 71$).

[john802]

Sunday Rider - When I replaced my cabin filter the first time last January after coming back from Alaska, I used a dremel tool w/ cut-off wheel to cut the plastic brace. It took me ~ 40 minutes total from start to finish. The second time around, it took me ~20 minutes total.

[Sunday Rider]

Hey john802,
Nice job. Great pictures. My plastic cut off is not as neat as yours. One thing I also found, were the spot welds on the threshold had burrs that sliced up 3 of my fingers. Very hard to see and very sharp.

I replaced mine at almost 36,000 miles (59,758 km). Probably should have been done 2x by now.

Noticed the air smelled better when the it was put on recirculate mode.
Thanks.

[David Ming]

Hondaman2,

Do you have step by step instructions to replace the cabin filter in an Accord (2001). I found instructions in other places but none are nearly as good as these. I plan on changing out both cabin filters in my Pilot and wife's Accord as soon as I receive them from Handa.

Hopefully next week

Thanks,

David