Notices
Maintenance Discuss common Lexus maintenance questions here.

cabin filter

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 29, 2006 | 10:34 AM
  #1  
denverdog's Avatar
denverdog
Thread Starter
Pole Position
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
Default cabin filter

is there any reason i can't just remove the cabin filters and leave them out? i want maximum air flow. i don't smoke and no one else does in my car. why pay for new filters? i've never had them in any other car and i just can't see the expense of something that will, over time, slow up the air flow.
Reply
Old Jun 29, 2006 | 11:17 AM
  #2  
KilaWombat's Avatar
KilaWombat
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 598
Likes: 0
From: CA
Default

I'm thinking because the filter filters the air coming in........Not everything in the air is good to breathe in right?
Reply
Old Jun 29, 2006 | 11:56 AM
  #3  
GRAND_LS 4's Avatar
GRAND_LS 4
3UZ-FEEEE
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,253
Likes: 19
From: Northern VA
Default

Its for things you dont see. I would rather have to change filters every once in a while, because you cant change lungs. Not that it was goign to kill you, but whatever ends up in the filter, could have ended in your lungs.
Reply
Old Jun 29, 2006 | 01:53 PM
  #4  
Tammy's Avatar
Tammy
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 10
From: Arizona
Default

My consideration is that the filter keeps the fan cage, motor and it's bearings clean. Dirty motors bind their bearings, operating slower and noisier.

Filters cost less than replacement motors and the cost of installing.
Reply
Old Jul 3, 2006 | 12:38 PM
  #5  
steveski's Avatar
steveski
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,884
Likes: 6
From: TX
Default

I say go with the filter
Reply
Old Jul 3, 2006 | 02:25 PM
  #6  
CO-LS400's Avatar
CO-LS400
Driver
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: CO
Default

keep it clean.. I would change the filter.. if your not concerned about keeping it clean I would cut some "Nickel" size holes in it.. at least you'll get some filtration with a little more airflow.
Reply
Old Jul 3, 2006 | 09:02 PM
  #7  
Lexs400's Avatar
Lexs400
Lexus Test Driver
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 853
Likes: 0
From: New York
Default

where are the cabin filters on the first gen ls400 ? 90 in particular ? thanks.
Reply
Old Jul 3, 2006 | 11:30 PM
  #8  
GRAND_LS 4's Avatar
GRAND_LS 4
3UZ-FEEEE
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,253
Likes: 19
From: Northern VA
Default

Originally Posted by Lexs400
where are the cabin filters on the first gen ls400 ? 90 in particular ? thanks.
Behind the glovebox. But in 93, they started actually putting filters in the designated location.

Moved to the Maintenance forum.

Last edited by GRAND_LS 4; Jul 3, 2006 at 11:34 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 3, 2006 | 11:38 PM
  #9  
HarrierAWD's Avatar
HarrierAWD
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,754
Likes: 6
From: Colorado
Default

Originally Posted by denverdog
is there any reason i can't just remove the cabin filters and leave them out? i want maximum air flow. i don't smoke and no one else does in my car. why pay for new filters? i've never had them in any other car and i just can't see the expense of something that will, over time, slow up the air flow.
The filter can keep mold spores from settling/growing on the A/C condenser, which could give A/C a stinky smell in the summer.

If you can't afford to buy new filter, just clean it with compressed air can and put it back.
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2006 | 05:01 AM
  #10  
bob2200's Avatar
bob2200
Driver
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 13
From: Maryland
Default

Unless you never use the fresh air intake setting, the cabin filter is keeping all sorts of debris from cloggine the air conditioner coils. I've removed all sorts of pine needles, plants seeds, and stuff like that when I change filters every 18 months.
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2006 | 05:58 PM
  #11  
jz4203's Avatar
jz4203
Rookie
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 68
Likes: 1
From: NH
Default

bob2200's got it right. Besides dust, dirt, etc., it stops the pine needles and small pieces of leaves. I have no idea where they would end up if the filter wasn't there, but I expect in the long term it would clog something else up and be a real problem.

Make your own filter rather than buy the expensive Lexus ones. It probably would be less restrictive of the airflow.
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2006 | 06:02 PM
  #12  
Lexs400's Avatar
Lexs400
Lexus Test Driver
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 853
Likes: 0
From: New York
Default

Originally Posted by GRAND_LS 4
Behind the glovebox. But in 93, they started actually putting filters in the designated location.

Moved to the Maintenance forum.
umm so the 90 LS doesnt have a filter but has the space for it ? can i get the filters for 93LS and put them in ?
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2006 | 07:00 PM
  #13  
Pheonix's Avatar
Pheonix
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,496
Likes: 13
From: AL
Cool

All Lexi, and most Toyotas have a space for an air filter. They have on & off been all combinations of factory, dealer option, hidden option, and not installed period.

The car doesn't *need* a cabin air filter. If elevendy billion other cars don't have them, there's no reason in *i***i** about not having one. If you want one, PUT IT IN.

The filters will not keep mold & mildew out of the system. The filter will not prolong the life of the blower system.

The systems are a post blower filtration... Not pre-blower. If you notice, the blowers do have a cheap foam filter on their internal pick-up. Feel free to clean that off with soap & water, rinse it, dry it & put it back if it floats your boat.

Last edited by Pheonix; Jul 4, 2006 at 07:03 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2006 | 06:27 AM
  #14  
bob2200's Avatar
bob2200
Driver
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 13
From: Maryland
Default

Originally Posted by Pheonix
If you notice, the blowers do have a cheap foam filter on their internal pick-up.
This must be year-dependent. I see you have a '93 ES300. My mother's 2002 ES300 obviously doesn't have a foam filter and the cabin air filter collects all sorts of debris, in a big way.
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2006 | 11:40 PM
  #15  
GRAND_LS 4's Avatar
GRAND_LS 4
3UZ-FEEEE
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,253
Likes: 19
From: Northern VA
Default

Originally Posted by Lexs400
umm so the 90 LS doesnt have a filter but has the space for it ? can i get the filters for 93LS and put them in ?

Right ....

You can double check to be sure.
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:13 PM.