Replacing cabin air filter

[sip]

Mazda says to replace cabin air filter every 40,000 km or 24 months. My 2009 Mazda 3, bought 2 years ago, has only 20,000 km. Can the replacing air filter wait for another year or should I get it done now? During last 2 years I actually drove the car only for 18 months (stored the car during winter).

[shaboi]

Just as a reference, here's what mine looked like after 110 K. I was the second owner of the vehicle but it looked like the filters had never been changed.
[URL=http://img837.imageshack.us/i/img00020201102191510.jpg/]

[crono06]

Lmao that's kinda gross

[SilentJay]

Hmmm... Just hit 88k this week... Maybe it's time to change mine. I hear it's a major PITA though, especially if you have meaty bear paws like me

[pacmann33]

I replaced my cabin air filter roughly a year after I purchased the car. It was disgusting. Change it once a year. I only drive my car on weekends also. In the winter it sits for usually about 3 weeks and then I'll use it for a weekend to charge the battery etc etc.

Keeps everything clean and your AC working at it's best. When you remove the old air filter if you are VERY careful vacuum out the crap lying around in there.

[mikejones]

You don't have to replace it, but remember it is the air you are breathing with, so whats more important?

[Dubcee]

For the sake of not inhaling a bunch of crap, replace it o.o

On that note, it involves taking out the fuse panel, glove box, and doing crazy voodoo and being a contortionist. Might wanna get someone else to do it if you don't feel adventurous. I got my mechanic to do it. His words were:

"I've been a mechanic for many many years and I've seen a lot of stupid engineering, but that was ****ing retarded"

Have fun~

[cwp_sedan]

I had mine done by the dealer. Didn't feel like dealing with cut knuckles.

[shaboi]

For the sake of not inhaling a bunch of crap, replace it o.o

On that note, it involves taking out the fuse panel, glove box, and doing crazy voodoo and being a contortionist. Might wanna get someone else to do it if you don't feel adventurous. I got my mechanic to do it. His words were:

"I've been a mechanic for many many years and I've seen a lot of stupid engineering, but that was ****ing retarded"

Have fun~

I'm a pretty small dude and still found it pretty difficult to get to that position. It's worth a shot to try and replace it on your own to save some money. And if you can't squeeze in there just put it all back together and see if you can find a place that will change it for fairly cheap. The only issues i had other then actually getting to the filter were moving the fuse panel bracket out of the way (it's attached to the carpet with a plug but i realized after that you can easily pull the carpet away from the plug and then reattach it later) and i had a few issues getting the connectors back onto the fuse panel.

I followed this how to: http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.ph...66.0;topicseen

[wildcard50]

For the sake of not inhaling a bunch of crap, replace it o.o

On that note, it involves taking out the fuse panel, glove box, and doing crazy voodoo and being a contortionist. Might wanna get someone else to do it if you don't feel adventurous. I got my mechanic to do it. His words were:

"I've been a mechanic for many many years and I've seen a lot of stupid engineering, but that was ****ing retarded"

Have fun~

+1
The honda and toyotas are so much easier to replace, just pull the glove box bin down by removing the retaining clip, open the air filter panel, remove the air filter tray and replace the filter, takes like 5 minutes. at least with the 2010's you don't have to remove the glove box, but you are on your back for a long period of time, i know i just replaced mine (24,000 K)

[cklwilliam]

is there a how to on this? I probably should change mine on my 04..

[hersh]

There is a YouTube video on how to replace the cabin air filter.

I am planning to do mine in April when the weather warms up a little bit.

If you wanna wait until April then I can give you a helping hand.

is there a how to on this? I probably should change mine on my 04..

[cwp_sedan]

is there a how to on this? I probably should change mine on my 04..

Try looking a few posts above...

http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.ph...66.0;topicseen



I'm not sure but you may not have one on your '04. I think it may have been added in '05 or '06. Double check with your dealer before you rip everything a part.

[repoman_2]

2004 Mazda 3 does not have a cabin filter. I do believe that the spot is there if you wanted to add one however.

[mzr2.0]

if it has A.C. it has one. No A.C. no filter

[SilentJay]

I wonder if Street Performance does this, and if so, how much?

[MistaChin]

I wonder if Street Performance does this, and if so, how much?

+1!

[Default User]

http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.ph...66.0;topicseen

I should've done this when I installed my amp.

it is a tight spot to maneuver. But remember - the person that wrote this How-to had enough space to even take decent pics.
Also, it's probably easier when you pull the passenger side seat all the way back - or even out entirely.
Might seem like overkill - but it will also give you an opportunity to clean up under the seats at the same time.

[TheMAN]

you guys realise that the filter lasts the 50k if you used recirculated air most of the time right?

[sarujo]

Maybe some of us prefer fresh air over that stale re-circ!

you guys realise that the filter lasts the 50k if you used recirculated air most of the time right?

[mzr2.0]

you guys realise that the filter lasts the 50k if you used recirculated air most of the time right?

if u read the owners manual, it says to change every 40,000ks or 24 mths which ever comes first just di mine yesturday took 8.5 mins to change thanks to you tube

[mzr2.0]

You don't have to replace it, but remember it is the air you are breathing with, so whats more important?

don't have to replace it?! WTF! that' like saying u don't have to replace the oil filter wen u do an oil change it's only dirty?!

[jewopi]

in my family we have 3 mazdas, an 05 mazda3, an 06 mazda3, and an 06 tirbute. only the 06 mazda3 had a cabin air filter, the tribute and the 05 mazda3 do not have it, just regular air filters. just saying to check with ur local dealer by giving them ur vin and they will tell u if u have 1 or not.

[cooper22]

Whats the actual amount of km you should go before changing these filters? is there an actual recommended distance?

[ericssonfan]

Just as a reference, here's what mine looked like after 110 K. I was the second owner of the vehicle but it looked like the filters had never been changed.
[URL=http://img837.imageshack.us/i/img00020201102191510.jpg/]

Ugh.. Those are looking gross.. I'm at 80K now and I haven't swapped mine out yet.. Honestly, I didn't think it would be that bad of an issue.. and the 150$ pricetag the dealer gave me helped me put it off for a while.

Looks like I'll have Jimmy do a filter change during my next oil change.