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]

i bought one from the toyota dealership for about $20. the dealer told me it would be a lot cheaper than subaru. i checked online when i got home, sur enough, subaru is selling it for over $30. note: my new one is all white, i havent take out my old one to see if its grey or white.

yes it is....i clean it once every month..... :happy0180::happy0180::happy0180::happy0180::happy 0180:

Can you post the measurement of the filter thanks

Does anyone make aftermarket cabin filters yet? OEM is pricey.

I checked at the beginning of the month and searched on google with no find. If you own a BRZ get your filter for the FRS from Toyota. A lot cheaper.

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

I don't use a pair of pliers when I do this. You can just pinch it with your fingers or press gently on one side and it will come off easily. Less chance of damaging it as well.

After buying the OEM Subaru cabin filter only to find out it is no longer activated charcoal for $27 bucks, I went and looked online and found from WIX that our filter cross references with the Honda Fit filter 07-08 models.

Updated with confirmed activated charcoal cabin filter that fits.
FRAM CF10549 Fresh Breeze filter for 2007-2008 Honda Fit at 7.5 x7.5x1.3
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/CF10549-Fresh-Breeze-Cabin-Filter/dp/B002NEWUGI"]FRAM CF10549 Fresh Breeze Cabin Air Filter : Amazon.com : Automotive[/ame]

It was ~$32 + tax at my local Toyota dealer.. guess different dealers are charging different prices, that's actually MORE expensive than the Subaru dealer's price.

Yea, don't use pliers when doing this.. the plastic is super soft and it'll deform like butter if you use pliers.

Thanks! I just hit 26k miles and have road tripped about 10k from Alaska and back, so I'm kinda scared to see what mine will look like... I've had the filter for a few weeks now. I should switch it out when I get home.

Found this thread when searching for activated carbon filters for the BRZ as that's the route I want to go.

I think Subaru has activated carbon filters for some of the Legacy models, but your OEM filter was just dirty. That's pretty much how all of them look after some miles. As far as the even coloring, attribute that to well designed HVAC airflow. :D

No my original filter was indeed an activated charcoal filter - as the dirt was not embedded inside the media. The old filter and new had two completely different part numbers.

Either way I have a cleaner smelling HVAC now so no problem for me.

23k miles - non-smoker

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...130831_005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...130831_004.jpg

soo... is the frs one carbon activated or not? A lot of back and forth going on here.

No. The FR-S cabin air filter is not. The part number for the cabin air filter is #88568-37020. It is NOT carbon activated. I'm staring at a new one still in the package right now. It is a plain white filter. Here is a picture of it.
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/album...pictureid=6030
Quick comparison of the old vs. the new.
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/album...pictureid=6066
You could always buy this:
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Cut-to-fit-Carbon-for-Air-Purifiers/dp/B000U204W2"]Cut-to-fit Carbon for Air Purifiers - Amazon.com[/ame]
and wedge it in there with the regular filter. Looks like enough to make a bunch of carbon filters.

Has there really not been a 3rd party air filter that has been released yet for the FRS?

Fram CF10549 will fit

$21 on amazon, ew. and it says it doesn't fit the FRS. :iono:

I'm still waiting on an aftermarket filter too.. prefereable one that's charcoaled. The white OEM filter just looks & feels cheap.

I miss the tray that came with my Celica...
You could fashion your own filter using 3M Filtrete Filter elements ($10 at Home Depot) and each filtrete pack could be carved into at least 4 (if not 6) filters...

Try [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Wix-46834-Air-Filter-Pack/dp/B000C9Y0W8/ref=sr_1_3?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1387300840&sr= 1-3&keywords=cabin+air+filter+frs"]Wix 46834 Air Filter, Pack of 1 : Amazon.com : Automotive[/ame] -- $15

In Canada, [ame="http://www.amazon.ca/Wix-46834-Air-Filter-Pack/dp/B000C9Y0W8/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1387301509&sr= 1-1&keywords=Wix+46834"]Wix 46834 Air Filter, Pack of 1: Amazon.ca: Automotive[/ame] -- $20 (when it's in stock), or you could try at NAPA: parts SFL 36834, NSF 26834, NGF 6834, and ALT 3602446 (I don't have prices).

It sounds like he meant "cabin filter" (that's what this thread is about) when he said "air filter". There are tons of air intake filters, which appear to be what you've linked to...

Thanks for pointing this out.

I got the Wix part from this thread: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...t=Cabin+filter

To be honest, I didn't double check, but assumed it was correct since oil change and cabin filter are the 15k maintenance items. I assumed the NAPA parts were right because of the common numbers.

Is there still no third party air filter for this car yet? =(

Just got replies from my local Scion and Subaru dealerships to my e-mailed requests on cabin filter costs.

Scion is $39.95 and the parts manager claims "cabin filter part # SU003-02112 has been replaced by another part number", which he didn't give me. :(

Subaru is $40.74.

I just changed it with the Fram 10549 it's a near perfect fit about 1/8mm longer which is better in terms of a tighter fit
and the filter door still shuts properly after inserting it in

Also do not use pliers it is definitely unneccesary. I damaged the pin but no biggy. The trick is to put more pressure on the arm and push it to right side (while applying a slight upward pressure on the pin)

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk

Thanks for the fitment review. That being the case, according to C.G. Enterprises Automotive Inc., of Gravenhurst, Ontario, the Wix 24524 and Hastings AFC1388 cabin filters also fit.