after 70k miles, this is what my cabin filter looks like




I used the charcoal filter from rockauto. The filter did not have a directional arrow for which side goes up so use these pics to help yourself out.

this is the side that faces up. this side looks smooth


this is the side that faces down. this side looks rough

 

That's pretty nasty. I changed mine after 15k and was surprised on how much heavier it was from all the crap it collected.

 

I am replacing mine soon as well, I doubt that it has ever been changed. On a pertinent note, I recently got an I35 and here is how the OE CAF looked like

Its an 02 with 105k miles, I doubt that the previous owner EVER changed it.





BTW TYC makes a whole line up of filters for almost every car now, $10 for OEM ones and $20 for Carbon infused ones.

 

I have to change mine every 10-15K around here. Going with the carbon and baking soda one

 

i should of changed it sooner but i got lazy. even after 70k miles it was working fine. i didnt notice a change in air flow or smell with the new filter