How dirty is dirty? Cabin and Air filter

I was recommended to change my cabin and air filter b/c "it's pretty dirty". Since this is something I can do myself and I don't believe everything anyone says...

How do I know when I really need to replace them?
How dirty is dirty?
Basic is every 12,000-15,000 miles?

 

It is a good idea to change out cabin filters, but 12-15k miles seems to short to me.

I've only changed mine in my Maxima once since I got it, and I have 76k miles on it.

They do help filter out allergens, etc.

It's really up to you if you want to change it out or not.

 

Oh good. Thanks Guess I'll change mine when I start sneezin' in the car. AND check when the last time I've had it changed. I've got 100,000 miles on my car so if it hasn't been changed...I probably will change it. I'm sure it has been changed already though b/c it sure doesn't look 100,000 miles dirty!

 

And it's not out of the realm of possibility that your vehicle doesn't even have one. Is the advisor someone you trust?

 

Nope. Not someone I trust. Just one that I go to for an oil change. He actually pulled it out and showed me so I'm assuming he wasn't showing me something that wasn't a cabin filter... I hope!

 

a floor mat perhaps?

 

Rotflm*o!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I bought a car with 20k miles on it, and the cabin filter was plugged already..
All depends on the environment..

 

And sometimes the owner/driver.

Hmmm, yeah better change it, Vicki.

[tow guy running for cover]

Reason I asked if you trust them was that cabin air filters can be used as up-selling sales items even on cars that don't have them.

 

Everybodies driving habits are different. That being said,i would suggest you buy a cabin and air filter new,then compare the news one condition to the ones in your vehicle. If the look gungy,replace them.

 

(Vicki throwing her dirty cabin filter at tow guy...or is it the floor mat?)

I didn't have the guy change it b/c 1st I KNEW I could do it myself. 2nd, b/c I didn't believe him. 3rd, b/c I KNEW the history about this company and how they typically will always find "something else" which is actually good b/c it helps me learn more about my car as I check them myself and do the repair or replacement.

My driving habit is driving 40 miles a day in traffic. That's about it. I would assume the air quality here in CA is pretty bad with all that smog.

I'm pretty sure the cabin and air filter is "dirty" compared to any new ones. New ones I assume are white. Mine are currently gray. However if you split the filter open a bit, it's still white.

daswade: What's "gungy"?

Whoops. Forgot to check how often I had them replaced by my old mechanic!

Anyway, how much do these things run? (2003 Nissan Altima). If I remember correctly the guy said something like $50! Oh...part of it MUST be labor charges. Ok...ok...I'll do my own research but if you guys just happen to know... Do they have these @ AutoZone?

***Found the cabin filter $24.99***

Uh...hey guys....sorry... but the air filter and cabin filter are 2 different things right?

 

Cabin filter for my '04 Toyota is $ 57 installed "on a special" at the dealer.
Bought one at Pep Boys for about $ 20 (Purolator) and installed it in a couple of minutes.

My engine air filter - same brand - was about $ 12 and took five minutes max to install. Not sure of dealer price but I'd bet they want $ 30 - 35 minimum.

 

Cool

Are there different brands or "kinds" or when I go into any of the stores and tell them year, make and model of my car...there's only 1 type for it? Sounds like to me there will be different brands to choose from. Does it make a difference?

I just want to make sure I don't go in and have to make any decisions and if I do, I'll know which one I should buy.

 

I found cabin air filters somewhat expensive most anyplace you buy them.
Ah! yes...Gungy...if your filters are dark grey/black,smell bad,strange little particles in them, they are "gungy".

 

In my little part of the world, it's grungy. That may be my mid west nasal twang coming out.

 

I was going to say that - "grungy".

As you've discovered, some quicky lube places make it a habit of up-selling customers on the basis of how something "looks" and not how dirty it actually is. The place my mechanically-challenged sister goes to habitually tries to sell her an air filter (engine air filter) because they pull it out and, surprise surprise, it's not nice and white it's, GASP, grey. I don't know how long it actually takes an air filter to go from bright white to gray/off-white, but it ain't very long and the air filter still has LOTS of life left in it.

Different stores will carry different brands (plus their own house brand often), but they aren't rocket technology so find the cheapest.

 

In my part of the world, and perhaps in female terms I would call it "gross".

"Grungy" in my part of the world makes me think of cool lookin' jeans

So daswade, I have to *smell* it too? lol. I'm picturing me, taking out the filter and literally putting my nose to it and sniffin' it while getting the particles in my nostrils.

Thanks for the tip tow guy. I'll buy the cheaper brand. (I forgot again to check my records for the last time I had them changed!!!! ARgh!)

Thanks ya all.