DIY Cabin Air Filter Inspection/Replacement
 

While wiring up @post_break's subwoofer in his FR-S, I took the liberty of showing him how to inspect his cabin air filter. What we found was alarming, so I wanted to check mine. Mine was absolutely filthy at 7500 mi. Pictures are below. Update: The OEM filter may be carbon activated. More info below.



Here is a quick and dirty guide on how to inspect your cabin air filter and replace it. Click images for large

Purpose

Inspecting and replacing the cabin air filter is important as the air we breath while motoring passes through this. A clean filter reduces the contaminants we breath and puts less stress on the A/C system


Tools
Pliers
Cabin Air Filter (Toyota Part SU003-02112 or Subaru Part 72880AJ010)


DIY

The air filter is behind the glove box on the passenger side of the car. Make room for yourself by opening the door wide and clearing the footwell.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8350/8...60913f12_c.jpg
20121211-CabinAirFilter7500mi-01 by VictorN07, on Flickr


Empty the glove box.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8500/8...14401d3f_c.jpg
20121211-CabinAirFilter7500mi-02 by VictorN07, on Flickr


There is a single spring/gas hook that gives the glovebox that smooth opening action.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8339/8...77d6778e_c.jpg
20121211-CabinAirFilter7500mi-03 by VictorN07, on Flickr


Take some pliers and squeeze the pin while pulling the hook off.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8495/8...3bb379c7_c.jpg
20121211-CabinAirFilter7500mi-04 by VictorN07, on Flickr


This is a picture of the stopper that prevents the glovebox from just falling to the floor. Note that I already removed it from the car. There is a stopper on each side of the glovebox. Squeeze the glovebox in and push down to get the glovebox out. You can remove the box or let it hang upside down. I propped mine on my manual books.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8205/8...aa3591f2_c.jpg
20121211-CabinAirFilter7500mi-05 by VictorN07, on Flickr



The white part is where the cabin air filter sits. Remove the cover by releasing the clip on the left and right side of the cover.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8211/8...be488317_c.jpg
20121211-CabinAirFilter7500mi-06 by VictorN07, on Flickr


Another picture of the inside of the cover
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8350/8...660f2f04_c.jpg
20121211-CabinAirFilter7500mi-07 by VictorN07, on Flickr


Here is a picture of the air filter in place. Place your finger in the trapezoidal open space below the center of the filter and pull the filter out.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8486/8...d4380105_c.jpg
20121211-CabinAirFilter7500mi-08 by VictorN07, on Flickr



Take the new filter and insert it into the slot. Keep in mind these filters are directional and ensure the up arrow is pointing up. Reassemble everything and you are good to go. Finished!



More Information

The following are pictures of my filter after only 7500 mi. I did not expect it to be this dark already. I believe these should be replaced every 15000 mi. You may find leaves/bugs in yours. Replacing these are important because the air you breath while you drive passes through this!

I didn't have another filter on hand so I just banged this against the fence to shake out the dust. I will just say, dust, dust everywhere!

Update: as @Draco-REX pointed out in a later post, the OEM filter may be carbon activated. It could be gray from the factory. If anyone has purchased a new filter and its gray from the factory then let us know.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8073/8...33ddf8ce_c.jpg
20121211-CabinAirFilter7500mi-09 by VictorN07, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8202/8...7f4b6307_c.jpg
20121211-CabinAirFilter7500mi-10 by VictorN07, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8353/8...0fb0c87a_c.jpg
20121211-CabinAirFilter7500mi-11 by VictorN07, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8343/8...4741f851_c.jpg
20121211-CabinAirFilter7500mi-12 by VictorN07, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8210/8...1412ebe6_c.jpg
20121211-CabinAirFilter7500mi-13 by VictorN07, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8204/8...527460a4_c.jpg
20121211-CabinAirFilter7500mi-14 by VictorN07, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8223/8...6197eb8b_c.jpg
20121211-CabinAirFilter7500mi-15 by VictorN07, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8345/8...b0b309ea_c.jpg
20121211-CabinAirFilter7500mi-16 by VictorN07, on Flickr

I am not surprised. Houston has been incredibly dusty recently. PITA trying to keep my car clean.

I like all your DIY's, keep them up!

Looks like a carbon activated filter. The one in my BRZ isn't, but that doesn't mean yours isn't. More and more cabin filters are coming with charcoal embedded in them for better filtration. Since yours isnt full of twigs and sand, I think the grey is just a carbon filter, especially since it is so evenly grey.

Duly noted. Thanks for pointing it out. I think the next step is to secure a new filter and figure out if its gray that way from the factory

That is a charcoal filter. See them all the time at work. Looks pretty clean to me!

This is what a new carbon-activated filter looks like:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8480/8...d486d475_c.jpg

Notice the even grey.

I just used my friend's carbon-filtered breather mask while he was painting a car in his shop, it felt like breathing the purest air, ever. Good stuff.

Does it feel pretty heavy? The carbon filter ones Toyota has are pretty heavy like its heavier than u think it really should be the non carbon ones are really light, I'll check mine later this weekend and see if its carbon one or not...

I figured I'd add this here to keep info all in one place (I hope the OP doesn't mind). Anyway, I replaced the orginal OEM cabin filter with a FRAM Fresh Breeze Cabin Air Filter. Of course they don't make one that fits the twins yet so I found one that was a close fit and trimmed it to size. Turns out that model CF10370 that fits recent Ford Mustangs is pretty close in size.
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/CF10370-Fresh-Breeze-Cabin-Filter/dp/B001CEJGYO"]FRAM CF10370 Fresh Breeze Cabin Air Filter : Amazon.com : Automotive[/ame]

Pic with OEM filter on top of Fram filter
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/h...ps92dffbe9.png

Sideview
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/h...ps7b568224.png

After trimming the excess material with a pair of scissors I glued a piece of cardboard to the cut end.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/h...psc0857c68.png

I haven't tried it out yet but I'll let you know when I do. There is a lot of rock salt on the roads now so I hope the new filter will cut down on the amount of salt dust entering the cabin. BTW, after 11000mi the original filter was very dirty just like OP's filter.

Update: It seems like the filter is working nicely. Hopefully Fram will come out with a model for the twins.

I just cleaning for spring... theres leafs in it and dust and everything!!!!! I am at 6000 miles and it's so dirty. I live in NYC guess it is the dirtiest place in USA LOL!@!@!@!

I just received a new cabin air filter from Toyota as part of the 15,000 mile service, and it was NOT charcoal activated. I pulled my original out and it was as dirty & gray as the OP's was.

Attachment 32979

25,000 miles

The factory BRZ cabin filter (part# 72880AJ010) is available on Amazon for those who don't live near a dealership: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-2013-Subaru-Cabin-Microfilter/dp/B00939JDEI/ref=sr_1_4"]Genuine 2013 Subaru BRZ Cabin Air Microfilter : Amazon.com : Automotive[/ame]