rsprattmann

Do they make a activated carbon-micron cabin air filter? This would be cool, as it would get rid of the exhaust smells from those nasty old cars, truck buses, etc. Does Fram or Micron-air make one? If so where do you buy them from, and how much is a good price?

Slimey

I think all the cabin air filters are simple meshed paper or fabric and not very high tech. My guess is that if they increased filtering ability to superman levels the airflow would significantly decrease.

EricL

The current filter media is pretty good at getting small stuff out of the air stream.

The carbon works on the organics, and filter units that are used for home, commercial, and other uses generally use a carbon element to eliminate or reduce odors, organics and/or gasses.

The unit I have at home as a carbon pre-filter (it serves to remove larger particulates and gasses/odors) that wraps around a "true" HEPA filter (it removes particles smaller than 0.3 micron).


In any event, this should be of interest; it is an article from Fram on their in-cabin filter:


Cabin Air Filters Protect Vehicle Passengers From Airborne Contaminants


FRAM® Comfortaire™ Passenger Compartment Air Filters Block Harmful Particles

DANBURY, Conn., July 3, 2003 – Drivers and passengers irritated by contaminants entering their vehicles can now purify their breathing space with the FRAM® Comfortaire™ Passenger Compartment air filter. This is one of the few cabin air filters on the market to offer a combination charcoal impregnated media, specifically designed to remove both dirt and odors. Using this filter can produce better riding comfort by dramatically improving the quality of air entering a vehicle.

“Research has shown that contaminants are two to six times more concentrated inside a vehicle than outside,” said Brian Holliday, Vice President, FRAM. “Due to these harmful impurities, passengers can become susceptible to a variety of ailments, including headaches, nausea and allergic reactions. It is important for consumers to understand that products like the FRAM Comfortaire filter are designed to help reduce these contaminants, limiting the effects they can have on people. Improving the air quality within a vehicle is particularly beneficial to vulnerable passengers, such as young children, allergy sufferers, senior citizens and people with weakened immune systems.”

Once exclusive to high-end European cars, cabin air filters are now commonplace among new makes and models, such as GMC/Chevrolet Suburbans, Ford Windstars and Honda Accords. Many drivers are unaware that there are filters designed to reduce the level of pollen, bacteria and dust that penetrate a car’s interior. In fact, most vehicle owners do not learn about cabin air filters until a problem arises, indicating that the filter needs to be replaced.

Clogged cabin air filters can weaken the airflow from the defroster, air conditioning and heating vents. If the interior windows fog easily in colder months, or the air conditioner does not work well in warmer months, the filter may need to be replaced. To avoid these problems, FRAM® engineers recommend that cabin air filters be changed according to the owners’ manual guidelines, which is most often every 12,000-15,000 miles.

Soot, road dust, pollen and other harmful elements can wreak havoc upon allergy-sufferers and those prone to easily irritated lungs and sinuses. The FRAM® Comfortaire™ Passenger Compartment air filter blocks these harmful particles before they enter a vehicle’s interior by trapping them in a non-woven, electronically charged media. The filter is also treated with a charcoal substance, a very porous material. The combination filter catches airborne impurities and absorbs odors to prevent them from entering the passenger compartment’s airspace through the heating, air conditioning and air ventilation systems, and produces cleaner, fresher air within the vehicle.

Most vehicle’s cabin air filters are in locations that are moderately easy for the do-it-yourselfer to access and replace. FRAM’s extensive array of cabin air filter models fit nearly 85 percent of U.S. vehicles equipped with them. Each package contains detailed application-specific instructions to help owners. Drivers can also have their local quick oil change operation replace the filter, as many facilities are now stocking cabin air filters to accommodate this growing industry.

FRAM, the leading brand of automotive filters in North America, has been a symbol of quality and innovation since 1934. Today, as the official filter of the NHRA®, it markets a variety of automotive filtration products for the original equipment and aftermarket industries.

Headquartered in Danbury, Conn., FRAM is a unit of Honeywell Consumer Products Group. The Honeywell Consumer Products Group manufactures and markets FRAM® oil, air, transmission and fuel filters; Prestone® antifreeze/coolant and car care products; Autolite® spark plugs and ignition wire sets; and Holts® car care products. Information about FRAM products is available on the Internet at www.fram.com.


LINK: http://www.fram.com/news/index.html

FRAM Part # CF8603 Comfortaire™ Passenger Compartment air filter

962.5tl

you know how they have the ionic breeze for the house , im wondering if they have them that you can plug into a car( i know they now make smaller ones for bathrooms) cause i would think that this would help on keeping any smell out af the car

AcuraTLSFan

The ionic breeze doesn't work. Search on Googles, you will find articles and studies proving that they don't work.

EricL

Consumer reports did ANOTHER in-depth test of home filters and the ionic breeze was basically useless when compared to a good home unit. (And were talking the same $$$).