I took my car to the shop today, where the mechanic suggested I get a new cabin filter, among other repairs. I don’t know anything about cars, so I just authorized the work.
While I was waiting for my car, the same mechanic told the next three people he talked to (including one person on the phone) that they all needed a new cabin filter.
Is the cabin filter likely to be clogged or worn or whatever on four cars in a row? He also suggested replacing our rear wheel shocks, and I heard him suggest the same thing to at least two other people in the shop. I definitely feel like I got scammed, but did I?
Cabin filters are designed to trap dust, mold, and pollen in the ventilation system of your car. The manufacturers will recommend changing them around every 15,000 miles or so. Obviously, YMMV. If you do a lot of driving in dusty environments or if you are sensative to pollen you may want to change it more often. If you’re me, you’d say “Cabin filter? What cabin filter?” I drive with my windows open most of the time. They shouldn’t be very expensive, you can buy one for most cars for under $15.00.
Given that they were telling everyone that they needed cabin filters I sure as hell would be suspicious, but they are an often forgotten service item. They may have just had a run on them.
I’d be a bit suspicious of the need for shocks, but not about the cabin air filter. Most cars that have them (not all do) call for replacement at 15,000 miles, vs. 30,000 miles for an engine air filter. Yet most car owners, and many shops, don’t know about or think about replacing them. As a result, I routinely see cars where the cabin filter has never been replaced at 60K, 75K, or more miles. It would not surprise me if all those cars were due - or more likely, past due - for cabin filters.
They should have returned the replaced parts to you. Then you could have got them checked by a third party. The cabin filter doesn’t sound like a terribly expensive part to replace, but the shocks are a different matter.
Cabin filters at dealerships are kind of a scam. I’ve had them offered to me any time I’ve had work done at one (also at oil change places) and I constantly hear them recommended while I’m there too.
I used to work on cars, and while cabin filters do do exactly what they’re described to do, the fact is that you will never ever notice any difference after changing one. Plus, the part and the labor to change it can be not insignificant.
They’re like those air purifiers they sell on TV. While, again, they do do what they claim, they totally overstate the need to and benefit of purifying the air you breathe! If you have severe, specific allergies they may be useful. But for 99.999% of the general public these things are a total waste of money.
I agree about air purifiers, but it’s a bit different with cabin air filters. You’re not choosing whether to have one or not*, but choosing whether to replace one that’s getting clogged up with dust, leaves, and other debris. Personally, I question the 15,000 mile interval, as I’ve seen many cars with long-neglected cabin filters and no obvious signs of a problem. But eventually, the filter will restrict airflow for the vent, heat, and A/C funtions, possibly overworking the blower motor.
*I’ve seen several Fords that apparently didn’t have the filters installed at the factory. Replacement is listed on the factory service schedule, the part is available, there’s a place for it that the filter fits into exactly, and even a notice about it molded into the plastic that has to be removed to get to it. But when I’ve gotten things apart to replace the filter, I find no filter there. Strange. All other makes I’ve serviced that purport to have the filter do indeed have it.
Cabin filters are a good thing. I’ve replaced mine and was amazed at some of the junk caught by it. Everything from dirt to pieces of leaves to bits of rubber from road debris. Better to have the stuff caught in a filter than in your lungs.
That being said, replacing the filter is usually a very easy thing to do and is shown in the owners manual. (It is typically located behind the glove box.) If you buy the filter you can replace it in less than 5 minutes with very little fuss and probably no need for tools.
The dealer is undoubtedly replacing filters than need replacing but charging full retail for the filter plus a hefty labor charge. Is that a rip-off? You be the judge.
There was a much earlier thread on this board about changing the air filter on the particular model of car I own. The dealer was charging $75 to change the filter. I pointed out how the filter, that may cost $20, can be changed in a few seconds by opening the hood and undoing 4 clips. Is the dealer scamming? Again, you be the judge.
That was going to be my question to you, slowing down/stressing the blower motor.
I can’t imagine that many people benefiting from one of these filters unless they live in a dry/dusty climate and have a medical condition. The air conditioner system will trap a fair amount of this and flush it to the ground in areas that are humid.
Hopefully the $150 labor charge is for BMW’s and similar manufacturers who believe in the lost art of hiding parts.
My SATURN VUE has one-it costs $35.00. It is about the same level of technology as a $5.00 fornace filter. They do help-I use the fan and shut the windows in the spring 9I am allergic to pollen).