Do I need the cabin filter?

"GreenN_Gold" (GreenN_Gold)
07/13/2015 at 14:09 • Filed to: None

I removed my cabin filter over the weekend and the vents blow so much stronger now that it makes me not want to put a new cabin filter in. Why not just go without the filter? Is there any reason I need a cabin filter? I understand I will be breathing “unfiltered air” now ( Oh the horror!! ), but will it actually hurt anything by leaving the filter out?

DISCUSSION (36)

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > GreenN_Gold
07/13/2015 at 14:12

Doubt it. My truck never had one. That said, I want to fab one into the system somehow because all kinds of crap gets inside.

GTI Sprinks > GreenN_Gold
07/13/2015 at 14:12

hurt anything? Not likely.

Can you get unpleasant smells from your surrounding and/or a fine pollen coating in your car on a spring day: sure.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > GreenN_Gold
07/13/2015 at 14:12

nothing short term if you’re in clear air, if you’re on dirt roads a lot, then it might blow the dust through.

Textured Soy Protein > GreenN_Gold
07/13/2015 at 14:13

What if the reason the air blows stronger through your vents now is because the old filter was all clogged up, and not because all filters restrict the air flow? Then you could put in a fresh filter and still have good air flow.

thebigbossyboss > GreenN_Gold
07/13/2015 at 14:13

My car didn’t come with a “cabin air filter” so I’ve been without one since 2010. But i just recommend changing the filter, it’s probably just all gummed up.

Funktheduck > GreenN_Gold
07/13/2015 at 14:14

Not needed as far as I know.

GreenN_Gold > GTI Sprinks
07/13/2015 at 14:15

Smells still come in even with the filter. I haven’t had any pollen issues over the years (this is my first vehicle with a cabin filter).

GreenN_Gold > Textured Soy Protein
07/13/2015 at 14:16

That crossed my mind, but I don’t really want to spend $20 on a new filter to find out. Obviously no filter provided the greatest airflow.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > GreenN_Gold
07/13/2015 at 14:17

Do you want all of that dust and shit going into your blower? I have no idea, but I can totally see it being not very good for the longevity of your HVAC system.

GreenN_Gold > thebigbossyboss
07/13/2015 at 14:18

But is your car supposed to have a cabin air filter? This is my first vehicle with one, so I’m wondering what’s the harm in ditching it, if any.

Takuro Spirit > GreenN_Gold
07/13/2015 at 14:20

You could be allowing debris to enter the blower motor and case that wouldn’t be there typically.

spanfucker retire bitch > GreenN_Gold
07/13/2015 at 14:21

Have fun cleaning leaves and those little oak seeds/helicopters out of it. Mine was covered in them when I replaced it.

GreenN_Gold > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
07/13/2015 at 14:21

The blower is before the filter though, you can see it when you remove the filter. So it’s still the same. The filter is really like the last stop before the cabin.

whoarder is tellurium > GreenN_Gold
07/13/2015 at 14:23

Did your original filter look like it was charcoal activated? Usually they’re the best at filtering but certainly reduce airflow. If it was equipped with one from the factory, you might be able to find a non-charcoal activated filter to replace it with and regain some flow while still filtering.

Example of charcoal impregnation in the filter pleats:

Kinja'd!!!

GreenN_Gold > Takuro Spirit
07/13/2015 at 14:24

The blower is before the filter in my case.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > GreenN_Gold
07/13/2015 at 14:26

Sounds like it doesn’t matter then.

GreenN_Gold > spanfucker retire bitch
07/13/2015 at 14:26

My filter was mostly just black (hurray for commuting in exhaust!) with a couple pine needles and cotton seeds mixed in. It was a surprisingly small amount of stuff for how long the filter has been in there.

Takuro Spirit > GreenN_Gold
07/13/2015 at 14:26

Oh, neaty.

GreenN_Gold > whoarder is tellurium
07/13/2015 at 14:28

Yes, it did look like that. I assumed it was exhaust from the air, I didn’t consider it might be charcoal.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > GTI Sprinks
07/13/2015 at 14:37

My 6 starts to smell like a wet pair of running socks of you don’t change it...one of the only things I don’t like about that car.

thebigbossyboss > GreenN_Gold
07/13/2015 at 14:38

Nope.

Your car will be dustier without. But no big deal.

GTI Sprinks > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
07/13/2015 at 14:42

my mk5 jetta tends to trap condensation from a/c blower and starts to smell mildewy after prolonged periods. Pretty common issue in that generation of vehicles. After removing the old cabin filter it appeared that maybe the previous owners had not changed it ever. Oh the hazards of buying used.

deekster_caddy > GreenN_Gold
07/13/2015 at 16:25

A clean filter will provide enough airflow for the system to work. The old filter was probably very very dirty. You want a filter for pollen season, but no you don’t officially “need” one. I usually replace my filter after pollen season is cleared up (like now). Order online and don’t pay $20 for one.

NoneOfYourBiz > GreenN_Gold
07/13/2015 at 16:36

Oh gawd, yes, yes you need a filter.

Try having to detail your car ten times more often because dust, pollen, insects, and small rodent are getting blown into your cabin.

Your dashboard will be the most visible indicator as it gets covered in dust more quickly but all that junk is going to be lurking in your headliner and upholstery as well.

The inside of your windshield will take a shit kicking too.

Trust me, there are downsides to “filter delete.” (note: the exception might be Canadian winters when there’s not much debris in the air)

GreenN_Gold > deekster_caddy
07/13/2015 at 16:39

That parts store had a few to pick from. $11, $16, and $20 if I remember right.

GreenN_Gold > NoneOfYourBiz
07/13/2015 at 16:41

My last vehicle seemed to do just fine without a cabin filter for 9+ years, and heck, back then I even parked outside. I have a garage now.

deekster_caddy > GreenN_Gold
07/13/2015 at 16:51

You don’t need one, but it’s nice to have. No need to go all out.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > GreenN_Gold
07/13/2015 at 18:08

Do you live somewhere dry or pollen-y? If you do, every surface inside the car is going to get caked in a layer of dust and pollen.

GreenN_Gold > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
07/13/2015 at 18:17

Seattle area. I assume if I leave the filter out, it will be just like my last car which didn’t even have a filter. Or every car we ever had growing up. Nothing bad happened.

Also, I’m adding lightness!!

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > GreenN_Gold
07/13/2015 at 18:27

Isn’t Seattle a bit smoggy?

RedlineZ bought an SV (And is getting rid of the z) > GreenN_Gold
07/13/2015 at 18:34

some cars have them and others don’t. my 06 350z doesn’t have one and neither did my jeep. just takes a little longer to clean the interior

GreenN_Gold > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
07/13/2015 at 19:26

Nope, no smog. Foggy, groggy, and water-loggy at times, but not smoggy.

pip bip - choose Corrour > GreenN_Gold
07/14/2015 at 04:04

do you need it , no

unless you have allergies perhaps.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > GreenN_Gold
07/14/2015 at 11:40

No, you do not need a cabin air filter. I got a mouse nest built on the filter in my ‘07 STi a year or so after I got it. After disassembling the dash and removing the filter/nest I cleaned the residue out of the relevant ductwork. Since I wasn’t able to find a filter that day I put everything back together without a filter and it has been that way ever since.

GreenN_Gold > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
07/14/2015 at 12:20

I’m thinking that’s what I’ll do, just leave it be. It’s a ‘10 WRX. Did you notice the vents are a lot stronger now? I’m enjoying that aspect of it.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > GreenN_Gold
07/14/2015 at 13:33

It definitely flows more air with the air filter out.