calvin_hobbes

Does RL use HEPA filters for its A/C systems? If not, are we able to replace the standard filter with a HEPA? (i ask because i am walking allergic_disaster_about_to_happen, and have been recommended to do so by my docs)....

sotiri

not that I am aware of

Chas2

How about going to the dealer or ebay or hondaacuraworld, buy a filter, and see if you can find a HEPA that fits, or custom fit one yourself.

calvin_hobbes

i couldn't change my own diaper if it came to it, airfilters are a whole new ballgame

Chas2

You actually could.

See this thread on how to do it.

/forums/showthread.php?t=66732

mr_allenp

If you guys are talking about the Cabin Air Filter, they are so easy to replace, and I wish Bosch would make a Charcoal filter for the RL so it could get rid of nasty fumes from outside. By the way, I replaced mine with one made by Bosch part # P3875

calvin_hobbes

link seems invalid..

Chas2

You are correct, the link is invalid. I did not copy it all, but I copied the text below.

/forums/showthread.php?t=66732


2005 Acura RL In - Cabin air filter

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After spending a few hours following the DIY's that I could find on installing the In-cabin air filter on the RL, I figured out that all the instructions I was finding were not for the 2005.

To help others save hours (this procedure takes literally less than one minute) I wanted to post that all you need to do is:

- open the glove compartment
- pull down the fabric at the back (it is held up by velcro)
- open and then unsnap the upper tray (which I did not even know I had). The tray is held on by three easy to remove clips.

Once removed, the filter is easily visible and clearly marked. Pull out by pushing in the 2 side clips and the entire housing easily slides out.

That's it - no tools needed. There is only one filter which I purchased from Napa for $22.

Acura was going to charge me $150 to do this and when I asked Parts where the filter was even located, they pleaded ignorance - what ashame that they would go to such an extent to try to overcharge people.

claplante

If you scroll down to the bottom of this page, there is a picture of it.

http://www.handa-accessories.com/rl.html

calvin_hobbes

Chad... those were super instructions.. after spending 20 mins to figure out how to unclip the upper tray (the key was to lodge the clips in a way that they stayed up, so i had ended up using screwdrivers for assistance), i was able to locate the filter... mine was colored yellow... eeeekkkkssss... i guess the previous owner never ever bothered to change it......

Did you order yours from the handa-accessories link you posted?

Chas2

I have never ordered one, but one of our sponsors, hondaacuraworld.com, sells them also. Ask for Tim at 888 RAY LAKS or go to www. hondaacuraworld.com. Great service, $3.95 shipping regardless of number of items.

calvin_hobbes

chad i just noticed that you said you purchaed your from napa....ignore my last comment

http://www.napaonline.com/masterpage...d=1&SubCatId=3

at the site above, two filters show up .. one for $21.79, other for $27.99, do you know the difference between the two?

RL06tech

Absolute waste of money. A HEPA filter will filter smaller substances but will simply clog faster. The provided filter,filters the most common contaminants such as pollen and larger soot particles, no need to waste any extra money unlees you live by a nuclear plant leaking heavy isotopes into the air!

calvin_hobbes

The air inside the car stank real bad, so i ended up buying the Acura RL OEM filter from Acura parts @ my dealer for $40.00... i know it was probably $10-15 more than what i could find online, however, given i am going on a road-trip this weekend, i figured i'd rather get good clean air for 25+ hours that i will be driving....

chad.. thanks for the instructions... i have become a pro @ changing RL airfilter and will subsequently be charging other RL owners a small fees for doing this work...

RLtech.. thanks for your comment... i couldn't find HEPA w/ merv rating of 11 that could be a custom fit for the RL, so the OEM pollen filter should suffice...

Chas2

Although, you may be able to work with a 3M red or purple filter, which I believe are rated 11 and 13. If you get the a large furnace filter of the right size, use each corner, and cut out the correct surface area using the old OEM filter as template. Reinforce the two floppy sides with hot glue gun and cardboard strips, you may be able to achieve the same thing. A large red filter for a furnace costs $10 at the home depot. You can fashion either two or four filters out of one furnace filter

I am not advocating this, but know that others have used this method on the 2G Legend, rather than pay the cost of the filters which, even if you are willing to pay, are hard to get. The 2G Legend requires removing the glove box, as I understand it, so the 2G RL is much friendlier.

Rob144

I made my own filter element in our RX300. I used a furnace filter that I cut out of the frame, which I then cut to size and tape into place in the filter housing.

The guys at EZ-Lube always take it out when they do the oil change and lay it out for me to see. Yeah, it looks pretty cheesy, but it does the job and cost me $5 or less for multiple uses.

Rob144

gavine

Couldn't you just vacuum it with a shop-vac? My car is still relatively new so I haven't looked at mine yet but I should think that would clean it up pretty good.