Rep Power: 813

having a clean filter is mostly for better airflow out the vents. and clogged filter also puts more stress on the blower system. if you always drive with windows open, it may be better to just remove the filters completely like older cars.

 
Rep Power: 231

having a completely clean piece of foam would be even worse than having a totally clogged filter. the air will barely get through it since it would be about 20-30 times as thick. i cant even imagine how hard it would be to get air flowing through a piece of foam that was actually covered in dirt.

normal cabin filters are just one flat piece of filter thats folded into ridges like an accordian. the only good substitute to a cabin filter would be something like a chunk of furnace filter which catches a lot but still allows good air flow. i might try it on my next cabin filter change just to see the result.

 
Rep Power: 314

Not to mention cabin filters are freaking expensive. Here in Canada they charge about 30 bucks for a pair. Cheapest I've found them is 24 dollars.

 
Rep Power: 813

oiled foam is superior to paper in both airflow and dirt catching ability, but it needs to be cleaned more often. and there may not be as much pressure to push the air thru when too dirty. when i removed the paper filters, i was surprised how powerful the blower became, alot like the older cars i drove without filters. which makes me wonder if there is really any benefit at all to using a filter unless you have bad allergies and keep the windows closed all the time. without the filters, i did get some occassional leaves and dead bugs blowing at me, but really not a big deal. i think the extra airflow is worth it esp in the summer with the a/c. you also dont have to turn the fan speed up as much as before, which uses less power and still gives the same airflow.

 
Rep Power: 0

I have a 2009 Civic Dx and tried to install a new cabin filter yesterday. I removed the tray from behind the glove box and it was empty. There were plastic tabs sticking up from the bottom of the tray where the filter would sit so it took a bit of effort (could have cut off the plastic tabs) to reinsert the tray with a filter in it. This car does not have ac (do not really need it living in Eastern Canada). Is this why there was not a factory one in it? I purchased a used 2004 Element last week with 101000 miles on it. Changed that one yesterday as well. It was disgusting!! May have never been changed before.

 
Rep Power: 0

Wouldnt these filters be kind of easy to make on your own?

Maybe use some foam type of material and some metal wire mesh of some sort?

http://www.bwire.com/

I am going to call this place and ask what kind of price they charge for a good quality wire mesh this size and attach it to the right dimensioned foam to see what happens.

If I am going to be changing this filter so much, I don't feel like spending an arm and a leg doing it. Would rather make my own.

 
Rep Power: 813

yeah some sort of cell foam would work great and you can just clean it and reuse. the hard part would be fitting it properly so it doesnt get sucked in.

 
Rep Power: 314

It's too bad the entire old filter is paper. If you can find one with a plastic surround you could cut the paper part out and use the surround to build a real nice filter.

 
Rep Power: 0

...not cheap, smart and frugal.

 
Rep Power: 354

its only like 13 bucks on amazon with free shipping (well, i have prime)

 
Rep Power: 194

My dad hasn't changed the air cabin filter ever. It's a 91 civic with 490000 on it. Does it have one? I will post a picture.

 
Rep Power: 813

i think only 2001+ civic have cabin filters. but you can still do some stuff to it. pull out the blower motor and there is likely tons of dust and debris inside you can clean up

 
Rep Power: 194

Ahh yes that is the one behind the centre console there?

 
Rep Power: 813

im not sure on the older civics, new ones its under the glove box. you can listen for the sound tho when the fan is on.

 
Rep Power: 194

Ahh yes I have this diagram too Did you get that from the majestic honda site?

Thanks!

 
Rep Power: 813

yup i did! #1 is usually the one filled with dust and dirt you can just vacuum it clean

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks for the website, now i can get the parts i need for alot cheaper then the dealership. Do you know if there's one for Pontiac's?

 
Rep Power: 0

I better check mine, I bought my Civic off the original owner (my friend)and he has never changed them. i noticed on deforst it doesnt blow worth a sh*t. i wouldnt be surprised if its clogged up.

 
Rep Power: 813

i finally pulled both cabin filters off the car today permanently. dont know why i never did it sooner. i was thinking the blower would accumulate junk in it and ruin it, but those motors are cheap and there are plenty of old cars made before 2000 that dont have the filters and never had issues. all i can say is wow. the filters were already nearly new, but when i took em out there was a huge difference in airflow. i could turn to 1/2 on the fan dial and have almost the same flow as turning it to max. and its so much quieter. on the max setting, its like a hurricane blowing your face lol. and there is much less noise compared to max blowing thru the filters. im gonna be happy this summer cause thats usually the only time i need alot of fan is with the a/c running. should save quite a bit of power too (that fan uses a ton of amps to run) since i wont have to turn it to max and still be disappointed. i can always remove the blower and shoot some compressed air to clean out the fins every so often. its only a few bolts and it pops out the bottom. also, i mostly have my window down anyway and i dont have bad asthma so filtered air is of no importance to me.