Actually, as the filter collects foreign debris from the cabin air, the air passages will become smaller allowing it to collect smaller particulate. On the other side of the equation, you will lose volumetric flow through the filter as its passages decrease in size. You won't necessarily have more "junk" in your air, actually, you should have less. But your A/C will run less efficiently, your blower will have to work harder, and you will get less airflow moving through your vents.

 

i have a 08 is350 and trying to change filter, took the cover off and this is how it looks like, can't see filter?

 

Uh, that's because there is no filter in there. Somebody took it out and never replaced it.

 

I am sorry, but I LOL'd at that picture, some people can be that cheap to remove the filter and make it disappear before flipping the car.

 

^

That's some kind of magic trick there!! Definately net the carbon air filter in there.

 

where can i get a frame and a filter for a decent price??

 

Did anyone have to lift up a cover to expose the cabin air filter? I had to lift a cover and that was really hard. Something snapped and the cover doesn't close tight anymore.
Also I order the Sewell air cabin filter and it seem to be really different from the one in the car. It has less "ribs" and it is not as tightly packed as the original. I can see through it. Did anyone else order from sewell and get the model 87139-YZZ08.

I just learned that, PLACE THE AIR CIRCULATION TO ON not outside air.

 

Yes, the manual says it needs to be done but the DIY in the PDF doesn't. I think the link on the first post should be removed or edited so that it's clear the first step is to put the A/C in recirculation mode.

 

i got a questions I'm not sure if the same thing happened to mines, meaning if i broke it or not without knowing. but after you broke the tab or something did your buttons for the climate unit still work? what exactly went wrong? thanks

 

My climate control buttons still worked and everything ran fine, but my AC was not as cold as it should be because the summer temps here are in the high 90s and into the 100s Fahrenheit; therefore the piece that was broken was letting in all that hot air into the system and making my AC be fairly cold at best. Buttons and everything else was fine minus the coldness of the AC. During colder temps such as 60-80 Fahrenheit AC work good. It was just those high summer temps that was making me notice the difference in the AC. Hope this helps.

 

thanks a lot, did help

 

Pictures worth 100000000000000 words. Thanks!

 

Just ordered a filter, what do people mean by saying u must first put it in recirculation?

More so, why?

 

It means that you have to put the climate control system into re-circulate (as opposed to fresh air mode) before replacing the filter

Because if you don't you won't be able to gain access to the filter. If you attempt to force the flap open anyway, you'll break the servo motor and/or linkage, necessitating a time consuming and expensive repair.

 

Nope, Carbon... it a "carbon activated" filter to try to remove oders as well as hold down the dust and pollen. Some of the autozone/advanced filters are also carbon activated, but some I've seen are simple dust filters... trying to make them cheaply I guess...