Just wondering about this.. At a stoplight or even moderately heavy traffic, I can smell the exhaust from the other cars, and end up having to hit the recirculate button. Shouldn't the microfilter trap out those odors? With my old Altima I was able to keep the fresh air button on and not smell a thing.

 

Odors don't always filter out because the particles are too small for microfilters to catch.

 

i don't think our filter has active carbon so it likely not filter odour..

 

Mine does the same thing. I hit the recirc button a lot. I'm one of those oddballs that can smell the cigarette smoke from the guy in front of me if his window is down. it sux.

 

Glad it's not just me. With the wife being pretty allergic, I end up using recirc almost all the time. I just hate having to push two buttons when turning on the air (I hit Auto, then the recirc button). I just wish the Auto would remember your recirc setting.. (I know, I know, Auto means automatic after all, but if the microfilter can't trap odors, you would think that recirc setting matters).

 

Wow that does sound difficult

 

The recirc does come on automatically if the air temperature is high enough. At least it does for me.

 

Hmmm.. haven't noticed that. Though since I got my TSX just this October, it hasn't really gotten too hot here in Ohio. What temps have you seen it turn on? Gotta watch out for that come summer time. Doesn't help me now in the winter though.

 

i don't have the odour problem since i ride public transit to work, and we do driveing mostly off peak hours. but if smog or odour get too abd, i will probaly get the special filter for home use (like 3M or some that says it reduce odour) like a sheet of filter and cut it to cover the air inlet of the TSX cabin filter. that shall help it.

 

It turns on when I've left the car out in the sun all day and the interior feels like it's about 1000º inside. Don't know what the cut-off is though...

 

It really isn't bad. Just hit the recirc button and it pretty much is able to filter out the odor.

 

Yeah I know.. just an annoyance really. I wonder if Acura sells a carbon-activated filter, or if there's an aftermarket one that fits our TSX.

 

um i always use recirculation

 

I personally think the filter is basically useless. It doesn't do a good job of eliminating pollen etc. Of course, this is a minor issue and doesn't detract from the pleasure of owning the car at all.

BTW, anybody else think the glove box is a stupid place to put a fillter?

 

i agree it's pretty much useless. i always drive with fan speed 2 or 3, and after a short time i can see dirty film on the rear windshield.

 

I just got my 30,000 mile service done and they changed the micro filter behind the glove compartment. I asked to see the old one and it was really dirty, it was almost black.

 

I clean my microfilter frequently by vacuuming the dirty side for any accumulation. If I don't I'll see how easily it can turn black. When I have to follow an old smelly car I'll have to turn on recirculation..the fibers are not that packed for smelly tailpipes

Does anyone know the part number for the micro filter? If anyone know, thanks, if not I'll have to check with the dealer

 

I know I know Where exactly is it? Maybe I can vacuum mine too.

 

it's right behind the glove box You will have to unlatch the two hooks, the manual has more instructions then you can slide out the filter quite easily

 

Is there an online place where I could get those filters at a reasonable price?

They have them at honda for $62.00!!

 

The "Auto" setting and the "Recirculate" are two options. The Auto leaves the HVAC system free to find the optimal settings to produce the temperature you request. Generally when the outside temp is high it will recirculate to cool already cool air inside the cabin. Then when the desired temp is reached it will open to outside "fresh" air. It will do the same thing for very cold temperatures and even use the AC to dry the air to prevent fogging.

In my experience the filter stops large particles (dust) from entering the cabin, but I too smell fumes-- cigarettes, truck exhaust are common. Not sure any but the most advanced filters will lock those smells out. It is better than my old Civic, where you either breathed your own recirculated air or pure outside air, dust and all.

 

the pollen filter does not filter out tiny particles that carry smells!! i think only active carbon abel to do it. i would try to insert a sheet of active carbon if i have time and good weather next few weeks. that shall improve the usefullness of it.

 

Hmmm I wonder if they sell HEPA filters for the car

 

Why not just have the recirculation always on !!!!!!!!

If the recirculation is always on does the interior temp is automatically controlled ? and does the dual mode work with reciruclation ...

May be a dumb question

 

If you leave it on all the time: 1) Windows fog up a lot, because moisture builds up in the car, 2) you have to adjust the fan speed et al. manually.

 

Yes, duel mode works with recirculation.

I don't want stay exclusively on recirculation for the reason cited above and also because I'm not keen on fumes build up in the cabin (and no flatulance is not the problem <g> I am thinking carbon monoxide). The seals on the cabin are pretty tight - so much so they have vent flap that lets air in/out of the cabin when you open/close the doors.

Maybe the easiest solution is to hang one of those pine tree air freshners from the mirror.

 

This really sounds like a good idea. Gotta try it too one day. I asked this a few posts back, but does anyone know if there are any aftermarket filters for our TSX?

 

Yes, Fram has one. Found it at O'Reilly's. $21.00