fjpthree

Looking for some help here. Looking to replace the cabin filter in my TSX. No mention in the owners manual. Looked in the glove box and noticed that there are 2 pins at the rear of the glove box. Does anyone know if this is the access panel for the cabin filter? If so, can anyone give me some detailed instruction on how to remove the access panel? thanks in advance...

miner

Yes, behind the glove box. Initial change may require breaking of those two tabs (I have an '08 and this is how/where they are). You already have 15000 miles on your '09?

davidspalding

NOTHING needs to be broken to lower the glove box in the 2006 TSX. Check my DIY thread for pics and exploded parts diagrams ("IPB").

As for the 2009, I'm surprised anyone's driven their TSX long enough (miles) to need a new filter. Still ... replacing it every 6,000 to 12,000 miles doesn't hurt, particularly in congested urban environments (OM's suggestion) or dusty or pollen choked environs. Unfortunately, the sites that I know have IPBs don't have them up yet for the 2009 MY. I can only suggest that you ask your dealer's parts dept. to help you take a look. Anecdotally, some of the parts managers are happy to show customers how to change the filter, but it varies from dealer to dealer

miner

On my '08 the tabs holding the panel behind the glove box covering the filter had to initially be broken to remove the panel, not the glove box.

fjpthree

Thanks guys...yes I am closing in on 15K...

davidspalding

Oh, wait ... I'm wrong ... I think ... I seem to recall reading for some Honda model(s) that the tabs are INITIALLY fixed and there are little frangible thingies that break on the first disassembly (HTH do they put the filter and filter tray/holder in there in the first place?).

But I stand by my initial reaction, someone has already posted breaking the damper/lowering arm doing this, and I'd hate to hear someone broke the glovebox, the bumper/stops, or the dashboard fascia, thinking that something had to be broken in order to access the blower assy. In some topics, precise specificity is well advised.

The Dark Knight

iTrader: (1)

damn, 15k!!

how's the car treated you so far?

im closing in on 700 miles

fjpthree

Outstanding. Exceeded my expectations. The added bonus is the fact the I am averaging 33-35 mpg (highway miles) and low 30s in mixed driving.

fjpthree

The tabs are at the back of the glove box. I do not see how or why I would have to disassemble the glove box as you can see the tabs at the back of the gove box.

The Dark Knight

iTrader: (1)

i hate u sir

(averaging 23 mpg mixed here)

rclapham

Can anyone else click David's link and actually see his write up on Cabin Filter replacement? I see the thread and all the accolades about a great writeup, but I can't find the actual DIY instructions. Am I doing something wrong here?

jlukja

Did you click on the link? "my DYI Thread" in his post is hot linked. The first post of the thread he links to is his DIY, with pictures.

here is the link again ----> Click me, I'm a link

rclapham

I think I found a bug in the forum program. I had the option set to display newest posts first. When I clicked the link, it showed two pages. I went to the second page and scrolled to the bottom where the original post should have been but it wasn't there. Instead the second post was the last one, and it showed it was post #-7. I have switched back to displaying oldest posts first, and I can now see it.

davidspalding

Sounds different from the 1GEN. There are bumpers that you can remove to allow the glovebox to drop down (again, in 1GEN). If one o' you 2009 owners can post pics of accessing the blower in your car, that'd be great .... and I can update the DIY thread as well.

DIY instructions that encourage the new user to "break" something can make the poster very unpopular if the instructions are in error.

Good find! Suggest you copy your post to a thread in Ramblings, I think that's where sysadmin and others are watching for discussion o' the upgrade.

fjpthree

1st or 2nd Gen?

fjpthree

David.....this is much easier than described in your link (re: Cabin Air Filer Replacement). 2nd Gen TSX Glove Box can not be disassembled. All you have to do is remove the storage tray (pull it out). There is a plate at the back of the glove box. You simply push the 2 tabs in and pull the plate toward you. This exposes the air filter. Took all of 10 minutes to replace the filter. (Honda charged me $60 to replace the cabin filter in my Accord.)

davidspalding

I presume that you mean to say, "This servicing is now much easier in the 2GEN, as the air filter tray is accessed through an opening in the glove box."

I can't wait to see the IPB on this. And ... does mean that dealers may charge < $100 to change the (2GEN) cabin air filter now?

fjpthree

YES... sorry about the wording. Your link is exceptional. I will try to provide pictures in order to help others in the future. This forum is the best of any of the other forums I have accessed.

davidspalding

If you want to PM me with location to pics, I'll ask a mod to help me update the DIY with 2GEN instructions ... and you will then be the recipient of continuing Love from AZiner's. Any information on confirmed part #s (Honda, Acura, or Fram) is also valuable.

fjpthree

I took some pics and will send them to you. Ended-up using the Acura filter as Wal Mart did not have the Fram filter in stock.

davidspalding

Something as yet undetermined is if the 2009 Accord filter is the same as the Acura TSX filter. In 1GEN, Acura charged roughly $10 more for the same size and material filter, though made by micronAir in Europe, over the Accord filter, made by micronAir in the US.

fjpthree

What are your thoughts on Fram/Purolator filters?

davidspalding

I think I compared a Purolator to the OEM micronAir filter,[1] and saw minimal difference. I also compared a used Acura micronAir (Euro) filter to a used 3M Filtrete 1250 home air return filter, and they seemed quite similar. I'm not drawing conclusions, just noting similarities.

Frankly, if you get them $5 cheaper, and change them twice as often, would it matter if it was not quite as good? ... But ... it's possible to get the US Accord micronAir filter (for 1GEN) online for about the same as the Fram and Purolators, so it's a matter of convenience -- buy at Advance Auto or Pep Boys or AutoZone, or order 2-3 from an online discounter and wait for them to ship? I got lucky and found that activated carbon jobbie at a local place ... then found it cheaper online.

It can also matter what environs you're driving through. We have nasty, yellow pollen during the spring, I'd use a super-fine filter then, and then change it out when the pollen subsides. An activated carbon filter (micronAir's costs more, but I've found the ATP HA5 online for le$$) might be advantageous in the winter, or in summer when you're running the a/c all the time. I'm not an expert, YMMV.

[1] If you click on some o' the pics in my DIY, you'll see a larger version. I took some with "macro mode" on my camera to get really good detail.

tigervinson

Very simple procedure. The dealer wanted $50 for labor and $40 for the part. Took me less than 5 minutes to do it - and that counts emptying the glove box. Don't pay a dealer to do this!

davidspalding

FYI, FRAM now makes a filter with carbon on it, very good price, I've a couple with good results. You can get them at Amazon or most brick 'n mortar auto parts stores.

cyberbro

Stealer-ship wanted $89.00, I got the filter at auto store with 20% off. I paid $12.50 for good filter and watched video on You tube. It took me 5 minutes, if you can open the gas cap you can do this job.

I also got 20% off the K&N air filter, now the Stealer-ship will not give me the Free oil changes they promise.

KillerG

at what mileage is it prudent to replace the air filter?

MrOtocinclus

Manual says 15k or wait until the MID tells you, but at $15 a pop I've pretty much just changed it once a year. I also used the Fram carbon filter with good results.

Edit: CF10134, in case anyone is interested.

KillerG

im at 18k and the MID hasnt said shit. Ill do it myself now. Thanks Mr. O

ed_423

lol crap its been 2 years for me. but only at 14k, havent change mine yet Lol

davidspalding

I don't think of it only in terms of mileage, I also consider the seasons. The filter could have bits of leaves or jetsam that gets into the intake during fall, depending upon Where You Are.

I tend to change mine right after a disgusting pine pollen apocalypse we have here in NC in March, April. Yellow dust everywhere, even gets in the door jambs and all over the door seals ... you can bet I want to throw out the cabin and engine air filters that have that (*#& on them as well. If I can get them cheap enough, I may put a fresh one in for the winter (I put roughly 18,000 miles on mine annually).

The Dark Knight

iTrader: (1)

i just changed mine last month for the first time... 25k miles...

it wasn't as dirty as i thought i'd be .

KillerG

changed mines too. pro guide is pro

TSXKid2010

40,000 miles o-o Should I replace this said "cabin filter"...?

KillerG

they will do it for you on your next big service, or do it now if u feel like it. didnt notice a dif after i changed it other than placebo

TSXKid2010

I do all my own maintenance

So I'll just change it out sometime soon,

KillerG

ill bring my car over for the tire rotation and oil change that i need then

ed_423

damn kid how u have so many miles? i barely hit 15 LOL

KillerG

i just hit 19005

TSXKid2010

LOL It's a commuter car. I drive about 40 miles to school and 40 miles back EVERYDAY. And my mom uses it a lot too so the miles rack up. It's been like 1 1/2 years.