[Cabin] air filter alert...

[KarenS]

Jwight,

cute!

[runner33]

A member from another site suggested to turn off the A/C for a few miles before parking the car. He said this should prevent the mold from forming.

[SmartMadness]

I posted this same info on another thread, but just in case you did not see it.....


We have these filters in stock in case you do not have a dealer next to you or don't feel like making the drive. Here is the direct product link:

Genuine Smart Cabin Filter

Thanks....

PS. Please note! Some dealers may have this filter for less since our volumes and purchasing power on Genuine Smart items vary.

[SuperGeek]

I checked mine... about 3300 miles on the odometer. Lots of bug guts on the intake side, with some dust, but no mold that I can see. Now, the filter does look like the carbon/charcoal is embedded, so it has streaks of grey... as though the charcoal wears out over time. I hit it with some compressed air (can) and didn't see any dust flying. But I'm glad the filter caught the bugs.


Maybe I shoulda Lysol'ed the filter, but I'm not sure what effect all those chemicals have on activated charcoal. I'll be replacing my own filter if the dealer labor cost is > $10. It was really easy once I found a knee pad and followed Evilution's guide.

[edit:] SmartMadness has a great picture of a new filter - mine looked lighter than that on the middle areas of the pleats, and kind of confirms my suspicion that over time the filter lightens up as the charcoal disappears. I'll upload pics later today if anyone wants.

[Fredvon4]

SuperGeek

I am 53 and this is the very first car with activated charcoal filter

I live in Central Texas with the highest Cedar Pollen and ragweed pollen counts in the USA

I am severely allergic to grasses, weed, and tree pollen

The carbon filter in this car does not give me any more, or less, relief... I am still on the antihistamines when ever something is "in season"

The filter in this car does not make the smell of the cabin air any more, or less, "smelly" during A/C season than my other "non filtered" cars and trucks

Even if the filter was $10 or less, I would not waste the cash to replace it very often

I M O it is a placebo device

There, that ought to spark some discussion about my parentage

[fpage77]

I read the subject of this thread at first as "[Cuban] air filter alert". I was wondering what in the world is a Cuban air filter. I thought this was funny and thought I'd share.

[SuperGeek]

Originally Posted by Fredvon4

There, that ought to spark some discussion about my parentage

Fred, you're from Texas - that's sin enough on its own

*ducks*

Seriously, about the filter... If it's not effective, maybe taking it out is better, as long as there's no mechanical reason. If a filter traps mold or causes airflow restriction (for this filter/AC system, it would take 10 years of neglect), then sure, replace or eliminate it. Otherwise, it may just be a $20 enhancement they used as a line item on a sales sheet to get everyone interested. All they had to do was design in a flap and add the filter in, and bingo there's the filter. I have my doubts as to its effectiveness on small particles because it doesn't have an airtight seal on the outer edges.

[Neonspinnazz]

This happened on my mom's old 98 Windstar, but the air coming out smelled like burnt popcorn

[jediknight36]

Originally Posted by mendo

I had one car that smelled, I put the heat on full blast bringing in outside air and sprayed Lysol into the air intake at the base of the windshield.
It went all through the air system and fixed the smell.

I actually did this about 2 weeks or so ago and it has worked so well. At one point we thought it was coming back, but the next day it was fine. Still get a whiff of the lysol too. Whats really funny is that we took our toyota in for its free oil change and as we were waiting, a tech was passing out sheets that had info about a spray they sell and will use in your HVAC system for $99! I asked how they did it, and they say they just sprayed into the vents, and sprayed in the intake where the filter is. I laughed and said I just did that with lysol. He explained that his spray was much better. After he left, quite a few people in the room, threw their sheets away and and smiled at me.

On a side note, this dealership did not like my smart jacket, nor key chain. They all gave me dirty looks!

[jediknight36]

Originally Posted by Fredvon4

SuperGeek

I am 53 and this is the very first car with activated charcoal filter

I live in Central Texas with the highest Cedar Pollen and ragweed pollen counts in the USA

I am severely allergic to grasses, weed, and tree pollen

The carbon filter in this car does not give me any more, or less, relief... I am still on the antihistamines when ever something is "in season"

The filter in this car does not make the smell of the cabin air any more, or less, "smelly" during A/C season than my other "non filtered" cars and trucks

Even if the filter was $10 or less, I would not waste the cash to replace it very often

I M O it is a placebo device

There, that ought to spark some discussion about my parentage

The air filter in our toyota works wonders. Try replacing it, and make sure its on recirculate. I have bad algeries and asthma and in the summer, need the filter.