My mom's TL is 3 years old, my uncle's TL is 2 years old and my TL-S is 1.5 years old...so i decided to change A/C cabin micron air filter. Ppl are getting the filters online for about $12, and they are listed about $15...so I stopped by my local Honda dealer and they charged me $20 each! So i go forget it! They told me that the prices for these fiilters have been increasing lately.

A guy with an Accord made his "custom " filter for 3.99. He cut them vertically, but u should cut them horizontally, so that each plead can catch and hold large particalesAccord Guy

So i stoped by Homedepot and picked up 20x30x1 inch micron filter by 3M for $15. This large filter can make 6 filters that fit our cars. This one has pleads so it will be effective in catching the particles and filtering them also. There were cheaper filter/brand also, but i trust 3M.


Just cut out the new filter, and have the sides are a bit longer, to make sure that there is no leaks. I used rose pruners to cut the filter out, there is a metal wire mesh guard to give the filter structual strenght. Don' t worry about bending the wire or filter, i don't think you could actaully do it without bending the wire and paper filter. After you are done, place it into the plastic tray, since it's a bit bigger, just gentally push it in and even it out.


To access the filter bay follow the pic/instr. in the same order

 

And reverse the order to put it back together

So i did all three cars with just spending $15 instead of $60 for materials and much more $$$ on labor charges from the dealers.

 

I'm not a filter expert or anything, but doesn't the original filter seem to have a finer grain then the 3M one? Don't know if that would have the same filtering power as our OEM part. The instructions for taking out the old filter is definitely useful. Somebody else have already posted instructions on how to do this before. Definitely one of the easiest DIY project that many people don't know about.

axleback

 

I think these pics are good for visualizing what the instructions are telling you todo... The old post didn't have pics. Nice job !

 

You definitely get points for creativity...

Just FYI, Purolator cabin filters are EXACTLY the same as OEM. (And cheap...)

http://www.acura-cl.com/forums/showt...threadid=91473

 

THANK YOU FOR THE INSTRUCTIONS WITH PICS!!!!:p

 

hold up.......u need to cut the plastic molding off to change your A/C filter? Is it just me or does that not sound right? I would think ACURA would have made it more accessible?

 

axleback
The 3M filter is a micron filter, filtering anything from 3-10 micron, that is the best paper filter on the market....the 3M filter is almost like the OEM filter. The difference i see is that it's is not as "hard" as the oem...is more flexbile/movable then the OEM. But i have no worries that it will get the same job done.

IntegraVT
Over here in the West Coast, the aftermarket A/C filters aren't common, u usually have to special order them from autozone or kragen/partsamerica.

shinmbo519
Yes, you do need to cut the plastic moding off to change your A/C filter. The two sides are not totally connected. They are connected by 5 plastic tabs. Like the ones when you buy plastic airplane/car model kits where it's 1 big plastic sheet and u have to break the smaller piece out of the model.

Personally i think it was a design/manuf. decision. The entire piece behind the glove compartment is one piece....and it would be cheaper for them to make it 1 piece then to make it 2 pieces and have workers assemble it. The pieces is used for structure stability, it keeps the back piece from moving/bending when you open/close the glove compartment.

It would've been nice if they put under the hood somewhere ith more room. But not a lot of ever change their A/C filter, that is even if they know about it. The Accord has these for awhile now...don't think they change theirs until recently. Same with the TL/CL, this topic is about 3-4 months old.

 

Well, does somebody still have the pics to show how to replace ACC cabin filter? The previous pictures have been removed!

Thanks

 

i see them

 

thank you for the pics! im gonna make it a point to do this in the next few weeks when it warms up!

 

Those 3M filters dont flow well. I used them in my house and you can feel the air return not pull in air as in easy. Sure, they'll block a lot of crap out but the AC works harder to do it. I'm sure it will be the same result for the car.

3-10 micron .... that is pointless for a car, esp if you drive with your windows down.

 

yea i would just get teh actual replacements for the car. if you pay 30k for the car i think you can/should spend the 30bucks on the correct replacement

 

Very creative work AcuraTLFan.

I spent around $15 for aftermarket filters. My only concern with your method is that if 3-10 micron is finer then the OEM, the air flow would be restricted and could cause the blower motor to run hotter. Since I don't know the specs for the OEM filters I can't tell if you will have a problem.

 

Awesome! I was going to do this this very weekend! Now I don't have to be all confused as I try to do it. Thanks man!

 

Sweet! Thanks for the info.

 

i just wanted to warn people if they haven't changed their filters in a while to bring out a vacuum (of course i am an exception since i have 39K on the original filters).

there was A LOT of debris in the filter and near it.

i had to use the edge attachment on my vacuum cleaner to suck most of it out.

there is a little left, but it's almost impossible to reach without taking the whole thing apart.

whoever designed that thing needs an asskicking. it doesn't seal very well (between the filters) and it makes me wonder why they didn't use one large filter element and have it inserted from the bottom.

 

Purolator sells the exact same filter the dealer does for a fraction of the price. Check out your local autoparts store to get the part number. I think they were less than $7

Its not a cheap knock off, or just a filter they make that will fit, its the same exact filter!!! Compare one to the one you remove, and see for yourself.

 

Good call, Mr. Hyde. I used the same thing when I replaced the filters in my car.

You certainly don't want to use a more restrictive filter and burn out your fan motor when a replacement is so cheap.

 

last time i checked (2 weeks ago) the cheapest over the counter filter i could find was 20 bucks.
I finally scored on a web site that had 1 set(2 filters) for $18. but they quickly changed their prices after i ordered 2 sets.

 

i ordered 2 packs of the purolator C15390 at advance auto and it came to $17.88 for 2 (sold as a pair).

i checked pep boys and they wanted 21.99 for one.

autozone didn't stock them.

dealer wanted $15+ for each.

horrible.

 

For best installation istructions I have seen so far, check site www.micronair.com
Select your vehicle year, model, make and after loading page click "installation insrtuctions" (?) on page right side. You will find string of nice pictures with instrucitons attached.
Good luck.

 

guess i'm going back to dealer to return the high $ ones and get the purolators. Thanks for the part #'s and the pics!!!

 

Just checked: Pep Boys have Purolator AC filter model C19042 for $21.99. Box has 2 filters and primitive installation instructions inside.

 

i went and tried and thought the screw to the right of this pic was the one you take off. The one right beside the stopper. Well it wont go back in? it starts off ok but as you keep screwing it gets stuck and doesnt want to go in anymore. Also you can push it back and forth like it has kind of a spring action going on. does anyone know what this screw is for and why i cant get it back in?

 

So which Purolator A/C cabin filters are correct for the TL, C15390 or C19042? Both are listed in this thread and I didn't want to order the wrong ones?????

 

try installing it after you get the glove box out. the clip that holds it may be spining??? the only screw you remove is on the right side of the glovebox, and the ones on the bottom of the glovebox (hinges)

 

holy cow stevens creek acura wants 21 each filter!!!! hahah

 

sunnyvale acura is 21.51 each haha.

 

thanks for the info.

I bought my 00 TL used so its something I will be sure to try as soon as I find the right filters.

 

I put a hold on the former SKU... we'll see.

 

www.procarparts.com sells 99-00 TL air cabin filter for $4.85 each. If you are in LA, they will let you pick up to avoid the shipping fee. I am going to pickup 4 of them this week so I am set for the next 60k miles.

 

PCP's shipping charge is HORRIBLE!

 

i went to napa autoparts and got the napa gold filter. 11 bucks each. since pepboys wants 22 bucks for one and all acura dealers here wants 22 for each of them. Bay area folks go to your local napa store and ask for part number 4782. But it says its made in poland. any difference since the purolator are made in the us?

 

not sure what the difference is. also check with your local honda dealer. the filter is the same as the 99-02 accord. i got mine from the honda dealer for 14 something each. they are oem.

 

i want to change the cabin filter in my 2000 lexus and it doesnt show you how to in the owners man. Do you guys know how to or somewhere that might show how to?

 

this is the only thing i could think of!

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/index.php

 

Are the filters from Napa sold in a set of 2? The lady at the store said she'd have to order them from the warehouse and that they'd be around $15 each. But when I asked if she meant each for 1 filter or each for a set she wasn't sure. I used that 4782 number to inquire
Thanks

 

when i got mine they only had 1 in each box. so you need to order 2

 

That's expensive.