A question on air filter

**seiyafan** · #1: 02-19-2011, 03:15 PM

I checked air filter today (under the glove box) and to my surprise it's already dirty only with 3300 miles.

Must be terribly bad after the recommend 12000 miles.

So I decide to buy 3M Filtrete filter and cut to the same size then change it more often to keep me and my wife's lungs happy.

p.s. how do you remove the glove box? I tried to squeeze the tab on one side but once it's loose I could not get the tab on the other side loose at all, it's just way too tight. Instead I reached in with my hand and remove the filter cover and filter. Man this car is a bi#ch to work with. LOL

**musty_hustla** · #2: 02-20-2011, 02:24 PM

Once you unhinge on the side, let it drop all the way down and work from there. Snapping bottom contacts can be difficult and not needed.

**Blizzard** · #3: 02-20-2011, 02:27 PM

Why wouldn't you just buy a filter that fits? I think I changed mine out at 8-9k because it was filthy.

**seiyafan** · #4: 02-20-2011, 02:42 PM

I think 3M Filtrete is a better filter, plus I can buy one for $17 and cut to 4 pieces.

**TwoTone** · #5: 02-20-2011, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seiyafan

I think 3M Filtrete is a better filter, plus I can buy one for $17 and cut to 4 pieces.

Keep in mind any system such as AC/heating is designed with a specific filter.

Yes the Filtrete are better, but they may also restrict airflow more than the stock on.

**ChasWG** · #6: 02-20-2011, 03:28 PM

Is there any carbon in the factory filter? Carbon helps remove nasty smells from the air entering the cabin filter. My former Audi A6 had a wonderful cabin filter that had a carbon liner in the filter. Of course the replacement filters were $70, but hey, it was an Audi!

**todd3.6** · #7: 02-20-2011, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seiyafan

I checked air filter today (under the glove box) and to my surprise it's already dirty only with 3300 miles.

Must be terribly bad after the recommend 12000 miles.

So I decide to buy 3M Filtrete filter and cut to the same size then change it more often to keep me and my wife's lungs happy.

p.s. how do you remove the glove box? I tried to squeeze the tab on one side but once it's loose I could not get the tab on the other side loose at all, it's just way too tight. Instead I reached in with my hand and remove the filter cover and filter. Man this car is a bi#ch to work with. LOL

Toyota and Subaru use the same filter for the HVAC.
Do you have a NAPA local to you?

They sell Wix filters, the part number for the Wix Cabin Filter is 24483. Should be about $10-11.

Same part number for 2007 Toyota RAV

**BonAppetit** · #8: 02-20-2011, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by todd3.6

They sell Wix filters, the part number for the Wix Cabin Filter

+1 on the Wix filters. I just installed both a Wix air filter and cabin filter earlier this morning. I'm not sure what kind of driving conditions everyone else is encountering, but my cabin filter wasn't too bad at 30,000 miles.

**rakapur** · #9: 02-20-2011, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChasWG

Is there any carbon in the factory filter? Carbon helps remove nasty smells from the air entering the cabin filter. My former Audi A6 had a wonderful cabin filter that had a carbon liner in the filter. Of course the replacement filters were $70, but hey, it was an Audi!

i think Fram makes a filter that has charcoal in it, dont know if they have the size for our Legacy though

edit: if the filter from the Rav4 fit the Legacy Frams part number is

CF10285 amazon has it for $18.94

**ChasWG** · #**10:** 02-20-2011, 07:57 PM

Damn man, you love that Amazon don't you? Great find! If indeed the Rav4 filter is te same, then I'll be ordering one of those when I need it. I love the cabin filters with carbon/charcol. It make things so much nicer driving behind large truck.

**BonAppetit** · #**11:** 02-20-2011, 09:10 PM

I believe Fram calls their carbon embedded filters "Fresh Breeze." I installed one in our old car yesterday. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any applications in Fram's website for my 2010 Legacy.

**rakapur** · #**12:** 02-21-2011, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChasWG

Damn man, you love that Amazon don't you? Great find! If indeed the Rav4 filter is te same, then I'll be ordering one of those when I need it. I love the cabin filters with carbon/charcol. It make things so much nicer driving behind large truck.

yes, lol i order almost everything from them. most of the stuff i find cheaper on there

Quote:

Originally Posted by BonAppetit

I believe Fram calls their carbon embedded filters "Fresh Breeze." I installed one in our old car yesterday. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any applications in Fram's website for my 2010 Legacy.

Todd3.6 said its the same one as the Rav4 so it would be the CF10285, i put the link to one in my previous post

**Blizzard** · #**13:** 02-21-2011, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by todd3.6

Toyota and Subaru use the same filter for the HVAC.
Do you have a NAPA local to you?

They sell Wix filters, the part number for the Wix Cabin Filter is 24483. Should be about $10-11.

Same part number for 2007 Toyota RAV

Quote:

Originally Posted by BonAppetit

+1 on the Wix filters. I just installed both a Wix air filter and cabin filter earlier this morning. I'm not sure what kind of driving conditions everyone else is encountering, but my cabin filter wasn't too bad at 30,000 miles.

Yup the Wix one is great, I changed mine in October using that one. Fit just like stock.

**todd3.6** · #**14:** 02-21-2011, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rakapur

yes, lol i order almost everything from them. most of the stuff i find cheaper on there

Todd3.6 said its the same one as the Rav4 so it would be the CF10285, i put the link to one in my previous post

My wife has a '07 RAV Limited (V6, quite the hot rod).
In the past I looked up both RAV and Legacy on the NAPA web site and the filter numbers for Wix are the same. Not too surprising considering Toyota is part owner of Subaru.

Direct from NAPA web site:
Legacy/RAV normal = FIL 4483
Legacy/RAV premium = SFI 224483

The FRAM charcoal filter:
FRAM CF10285
Fresh Breeze Cabin Air Filter

Rock Auto:
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/rafr...-CF10285-12611
(cheaper than Amazon)

**mrblazn** · #**15:** 02-21-2011, 06:55 PM

I heard to replace the filter yearly. Don't matter what the mileage is.