Just a FYI - This is what 18 month old filters look like with 8k miles on my 2021 RDX. ​​​​​​Glad I replaced both in about 10 minutes.

Bought both at Amazon, about $37 for both. Dealer wanted $100+ with install for both.

NOTE - The two push pins you have to remove to get to the engine air filter front screw/nut exposed are delicate. Use a small flat head screw driver to remove them. There are a few good instructional videos on YouTube to do both. The Air Cabin filter is super easy and accessible through the glove box.

Air cabin filter - new one was pure white. AIRFLOW when putting the new filter in - arrow points down to the floor mat.

Engine air filter - not too bad given the time and mileage.

 

Just as an FYI, some cabin filters contain activated charcoal , which gives them a gray color right out of the package.

I have seen techs in oil change locations show the customer a gray colored filter and convince them they need to purchase a replacement.

Unless you know what the filter looked like when it was new, a gray filter isn't always a dirty filter, especially if the entire filter is a uniform gray. Another indication of a charcoal filter is that both sides will be the same color. I usually look for things like pieces of broken leaves and insects to determine if a filter is dirty.

Having said that, I still like to change my filters on an annual basis.

 

Agree - there are after market air cabin filters with activated charcoal you can buy (look uniform gray when you buy them). Changing it yearly regardless me mileage is needed. Plus it take literally 3 minutes - if that.
Open up the glove box:
1) take the top tray out
2) pop the cover where there are finger holes
3) then remove the filter cover (tabs on both sides - take the old one out and put the new one in)
4) Put the filter door on, then the cover and shelf back in place.

However in my case, it was the original filter that came with the RDX (never changed till now). The OEM filter is white when new. Mine was dirty - lots of dust in Texas and Colorado. Replacement filter was white - similar to the OEM one when it was new.

 

I think OEM filter is also carbon activated, mine was not white

 

Good deal. Mine was white when new, as it was not uniform in color coverage and looked up the "Honda" part number on the filter I took out. Either way, replacing once of year is a good thing.

 

I checked OEM parts, cant find charcoal cabin filter. Did it get discontinued? If I remember right they had one at the dealer parts. I am sure aftermarket is just as good

 

Not sure - it’s labeled a “Honda” filter when I pulled it out. Everywhere I searched they are non-charcoal filters - white. I got a high quality OEM replacement - anything was better than my dirty one.

His is the part I pulled out with number on it

 

mine looked this bad at 10k miles, I was shocked, I'm glad I wasn't the only one. It's a pain in the *&^ to pull it out, worse than any other car I've ever owned.

 

Yep - the engine air filter is not tough, but having to pull out two push pins (both broke) that are flimsy - to remove the air box ducting to get to one air box screw - dumb engineering. Got to new push pins (better quality) at Honda.

Air cabin is so easy - anyone could do it.

 

Do you happen to know the part numbers of the push clips that hold the intake duct on? I want to order a set before I take mine apart in case I break them.

 

I've done this change so many times through the years on my other Acuras that I did it blind, just reached in and felt for the clips and was done. I love how consistent Hondas are in that regard - it's a different filter than my TSX but virtually the exact same clips and material feel.

 

I’ll look on the receipt to see if there is a part number. 2 push pins were expensive at Honda $6, look at Amazon and you can buy a assortment of Acura push pins for that price.

 

Thats good to hear. The cabin filter replacement on my G37 required taking apart the dash and removing the glove box.

 

Had two G37's, it was a real pain. However the engine filter was way easier than this RDX.

 

Filters…the G had two and yes they were easy. Haven’t attempted the RDX filters yet.

 

I am not very handy but would like to change the air filter on my 2020 RDX myself. I have looked at a few videos and am unable to find the right tool to unscrew the screws around the engine. What type of tool should I be looking to buy that would allow me to do this? Any picture, link or a description would be useful.

 

How do you guys know you need to change your filter? Does the cabin start stinking?

 

I open mine every year and look at it

 

Engine air filter takes a little work. Don't recall the size of the 4 nuts holding the top of the air box on, and the hardest part is removing a couple of push-pins on the top of the surrounding area without breaking them (I broke two - got them replaced with ones from Honda - as they were to as fragile as the Acura ones). Do a you tube search and you'll see what is required.

Air cabin filter is super easy. It is right behind the glove box and take just a few minutes to change. Again, there are great you tube videos on this.

I bought both of the filters on Amazon, cost about $38 for them combined.

Interval wise, I do both every 12 months.

 

Air cabin filter - so inexpensive and easy to DIY, I do it yearly. That one smallish filter gets pretty dirty in 12 months. Just pull yours out and you'll see.

 

Might as well replace it then. I replace mine every year in late Spring / early Summer after the pollen season is mostly over and the A/C season "heats up". It's so easy to do. My Honda required me to remove the whole glove box. PITA.

I've never replaced the engine air filter because I've always had it done as part of a service. They actually charge less for that than the the cabin filter. I don't understand that but they do.