Post Your Latest CAF Change!
- Thread starter panthermike
- Start date
2022 Subaru Crosstrek
Out: OEM
In: OEM
Interesting theory: This is daughter’s car that isnt driven much. I had replaced this 2 yrs ago, and she has driven about 5k miles since. We had taken car into dealer 2 wks ago to have brake fluid flush. This seems awfully dirty for the miles and time frame, PLUS there was writing on the filter that I didn’t put on it. I think dealer pulled a switch and was gonna try and gouge for a new filter.
Out: OEM
In: OEM
Interesting theory: This is daughter’s car that isnt driven much. I had replaced this 2 yrs ago, and she has driven about 5k miles since. We had taken car into dealer 2 wks ago to have brake fluid flush. This seems awfully dirty for the miles and time frame, PLUS there was writing on the filter that I didn’t put on it. I think dealer pulled a switch and was gonna try and gouge for a new filter.
I think you're 100% onto their scam. I've had cars that sat around and had engine and cabin air filters not get dirty just sitting there. Everyday you hear something even lower than low trying to get a quick sale. sick.. but thanks for the update.
‘23 Toyota Sienna
Out: Fram CF12157
In: Fram CV12157
10 months
18,000 miles
Installed the old one upside down apparently. Oops. Must have been in a rush. Arrow facing down this time.
Out: Fram CF12157
In: Fram CV12157
10 months
18,000 miles
Installed the old one upside down apparently. Oops. Must have been in a rush. Arrow facing down this time.
out was an OEM ACD charcoal cabin air filter at unknown miles (56405 miles on 2012 Chevrolet Traverse)
in is an FVP charcoal cabin air filter - it was inexpensive to buy at RockAuto and I won't buy another one as it seemed cheaply made but it should do better than leaving the old one in...
Bill
in is an FVP charcoal cabin air filter - it was inexpensive to buy at RockAuto and I won't buy another one as it seemed cheaply made but it should do better than leaving the old one in...
Bill
The Sonata got the CAF changed today, Purolator ONE C36517, replacing the C36517 I installed in April 2024. So about 16 months and roughly 13,000 miles.
Didn't take a picture but it was about as dirty as MrJayhawk's with a few small leaves and some catkins from the oak tree that likes to drop those on my car. The hail damage that required the cowl under the windshield to be replaced actually did me a favor; the OEM cowl had vertical slots that were wide enough to let pods from my elm tree, the mess from the oak tree I mentioned, and the helicopters from maple trees in and reach the filter, along with leaves in general. The replacement has a grid of small squares to let the air in, and this cut down on most of the large chunks that the filter has to catch.
Didn't take a picture but it was about as dirty as MrJayhawk's with a few small leaves and some catkins from the oak tree that likes to drop those on my car. The hail damage that required the cowl under the windshield to be replaced actually did me a favor; the OEM cowl had vertical slots that were wide enough to let pods from my elm tree, the mess from the oak tree I mentioned, and the helicopters from maple trees in and reach the filter, along with leaves in general. The replacement has a grid of small squares to let the air in, and this cut down on most of the large chunks that the filter has to catch.
‘15 Hyundai Elantra
218,100 miles
In: Fram CV10728
Out: Don’t remember and didn’t write it down for some reason. Probably an STP in service for about a year or so.
218,100 miles
In: Fram CV10728
Out: Don’t remember and didn’t write it down for some reason. Probably an STP in service for about a year or so.
2020 F350
Out: Excel Carbonized
In: Bosch Non-Carbonized
In service 7 months, 20k km, 826hrs (idles a lot)
Finished up my 10 pack of Excel Carbonized CAFs, they were great filters so not sure why I didn't just order more of them(probably cost) but I ordered these Bosch CAFs instead.
Notice anything different about the two?
Yes, the arrow on the Bosch is the wrong way.
What probably isn't apparent in the pics of the quality difference between the two. The Bosch is very thin and flimsy. For anyone familiar with this application (15-22 F150, 17-current? F250/350) knows these fit very snug into the housing requiring it to be compressed a bit during installation. This isn't a big deal for the higher quality filters as they just spring back. This Bosch filter needed assistance to make contact on the sides and still didn't spring back against the side of the housing and seal up very well.
Not impressed with the Bosch, worst part is I think I have 4 more of them... oh well, maybe I'll cycle through them quickly.
Edit: it gets worse! They give off a strong smell, I can’t quite figure out what the smell reminds me of but it isn’t good. These are going strait into the garbage. They were only a few bucks from rock auto IIRC.
Edit #2: I figured out the smell, burnt gun powder, Varget specifically
Out: Excel Carbonized
In: Bosch Non-Carbonized
In service 7 months, 20k km, 826hrs (idles a lot)
Finished up my 10 pack of Excel Carbonized CAFs, they were great filters so not sure why I didn't just order more of them(probably cost) but I ordered these Bosch CAFs instead.
Notice anything different about the two?
Yes, the arrow on the Bosch is the wrong way.
What probably isn't apparent in the pics of the quality difference between the two. The Bosch is very thin and flimsy. For anyone familiar with this application (15-22 F150, 17-current? F250/350) knows these fit very snug into the housing requiring it to be compressed a bit during installation. This isn't a big deal for the higher quality filters as they just spring back. This Bosch filter needed assistance to make contact on the sides and still didn't spring back against the side of the housing and seal up very well.
Not impressed with the Bosch, worst part is I think I have 4 more of them... oh well, maybe I'll cycle through them quickly.
Edit: it gets worse! They give off a strong smell, I can’t quite figure out what the smell reminds me of but it isn’t good. These are going strait into the garbage. They were only a few bucks from rock auto IIRC.
Edit #2: I figured out the smell, burnt gun powder, Varget specifically
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I don't remember when I last changed it but I recall it was because the dealer wanted over $250 to do it.
My father-in-laws 2016 Renegade. I basically only move/drive it if it needs something between oil change, dealer for something, tires, brakes etc. I only put maintenance note pad in glove box when he got new motor at 82k so I could track oil use and changes better. Based on current mileage I'd say 4 years / 50k since last done.
It takes 7x T25 screws, 1x 5.5mm bolt, 11 stronger plastic clips to access it. The whole glove box assembly needs to come out to get to it and glove box light unplugged. A new Ecogard was installed.
My father-in-laws 2016 Renegade. I basically only move/drive it if it needs something between oil change, dealer for something, tires, brakes etc. I only put maintenance note pad in glove box when he got new motor at 82k so I could track oil use and changes better. Based on current mileage I'd say 4 years / 50k since last done.
It takes 7x T25 screws, 1x 5.5mm bolt, 11 stronger plastic clips to access it. The whole glove box assembly needs to come out to get to it and glove box light unplugged. A new Ecogard was installed.
06' Camry / 120k / original CAF. Could not see the pleats
2021 Sonata, 85k, daughter's boyfriends car. Unknown if and when changed prior, he bought it from Enterprise car sales. Says Hyundai/Kia from Denso. Replaced with a Spearhead odor/carbon version Amazon.
Been in Enterprise rentals before.. they NEVER replace those cabin air filters. One was so bad (smelled and I couldn't breathe) so I replaced it myself! How's the airflow of that Amazon brand? I've been looking for a new brand
Unknown. I had limited time with it yesterday. Lots of good ratings on it, who knows if fake
. I’ll ask for feedback as it goes on. Shouldn’t be any worse than it was and should smell better. It was like $13.I’ve also used EPauto, Puroma, EcoGard with no issues.
This is what we got.
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All the expertise on this subject and we haven't figured out a way to determine which way the arrow should go?
I'm shocked.
I'd go with the "hairier side" being the dirty side and the smoother side being the clean side.
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