CAF Differences

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Yes, CAFs do reduce debris from entering the cabin and collecting in the blower motor. For those who spend lots of time behind the wheel and suffer from various allergies, a HEPA or high efficiency variant can reduce flare ups.

But for the vast majority of people/vehicles, aren't we really talking about a glorified rock catcher? I've always subscribed to finding the cheapest CAF and running it for the recommended service interval, I've never noticed a difference.

Have you noticed a difference between brands and/or styles?
 
Just recently bought 5 CAFs of different brands, prices, and types. Obviously will take a while to see anything but first impressions are they all look of similar construction.

Did buy one that advertised active charcoal for improving the smell of the cabin and was actually cheaper than the normal Wix filters I usually buy.
 
On this one we agree. I use the least expensive CAFs and have them found pretty close if not identical to OEM. Some like the charcoal infused CAFs. Seems like a solution in search of problem 'to me'. And 'I've read' that some of them restrict air flow. Here's last CAFs I purchased, they've gone up a tad, I got a pair for ~$12. Couldn't tell difference between them and OEM, except air flow arrow missing from filter. Not hard to figure out.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N1V34RI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
How in the world did we all survive before the CAF came along.
 
Originally Posted by Bud
How in the world did we all survive before the CAF came along.


How did we survive before seatbelts? Air bags? Vaccines? Food safety standards? Etc., etc.

It's called progress.
 
Originally Posted by RamFan
Originally Posted by Bud
How in the world did we all survive before the CAF came along.


How did we survive before seatbelts? Air bags? Vaccines? Food safety standards? Etc., etc.

It's called progress.


As maintenance needs of modern cars were reduced through the 80's and 90's, the car makers needed an additional revenue stream for their parts and service departments. This was a pretty easy way to do that. Charge $20 for a filter that costs them less than a buck, then charge 1/2 to one hour labor to replace it.
 
I run a air filter in my furnace at home. Why not one in the car, too?

Don't believe in CAF in cars, don't use one. Silly to say they don't have a benefit.
 
I tried a Bosch 6038C HEPA filter in our Forester and it reduced the flow on high fan speed to almost nothing. The HVAC restriction prevented the cabin from easily maintaining temperature (once it FINALLY got there) on a long drive of ~ 2hrs. On auto, the fan speed reached one tick from max and pretty much stayed there the entire trip.

I installed K&N washable/reusable filters in both of our vehicles, as they became available, and I'm completely satisfied, so far. I'll be pulling the Legacy's filter for the first time in over two years sometime soon to "refresh" it. I'll do the same for the Forester, even though it's been installed for less than a year.
 
To Bud: ONE MORE TIME: The CAF is there to protect the (swear word) air conditioning evaporator.

Since the SACBP (Stupid American Car Buying Public) can't fathom that, they're told it's to clean the cabin air.

OK? Don't make me tell you again or I'll root against the Texans in the upcoming game.
 
when I replaced the CAF in my CTS Sport Wagon with an STP brand with charcoal impregnated pleats was lighter in weight and quite a few less pleats than the original MicronAir CAF...in the 18 plus months its been in the car I notice no difference in cabin air filtering...

I bought the STP branded CAF as no local parts store had the OEM type available and the STP was about half the price of a new OEM...I had planned on changing it when the OEMs became available but checking it yesterday, it appears as clean as when I installed it and has no odor to the pleated pad...

this is the first I had read what Kira above posted but furnace filters are supposed to be to protect the blower motor and were only pressed into duty cleaning the whole house air (with all the issues that creates) so his post makes sense to me as well...

Good luck with your choice

Bill
 
Originally Posted by Kira
To Bud: ONE MORE TIME: The CAF is there to protect the (swear word) air conditioning evaporator.

Since the SACBP (Stupid American Car Buying Public) can't fathom that, they're told it's to clean the cabin air.

OK? Don't make me tell you again or I'll root against the Texans in the upcoming game.


What is your source or reference for this single purpose of the CAF? most everything I can find seem to think it serve many functions. I'm trying to find something specific as to why automakers installed the CAF, thanks for your insight....

https://mechanicbase.com/ac/reasons-why-you-should-replace-your-cabin-filter/


https://www.underhoodservice.com/3-reasons-to-replace-cabin-air-filters-in-winter/
https://www.pgfilters.com/blog/purpose-cabin-filter/

https://www.counterman.com/cabin-air-filters-purpose/

https://www.underhoodservice.com/te...tioner-and-defroster-operating-properly/
 
the Cabin Air Filter acts similarly to your filter in your gas forced air furnace...the filter is to protect the blower motor...over time the filter has been tasked with cleaning the air it is pushing to the extent that some of the really great at filtering filters shut down the furnace because there is too much restriction in the filter (like a dirty air filter)...

Kira and Bud's posts make sense to me...good luck with your choice

Bill
 
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