[blancaclaudia]

I just replaced my cabin filter in my 2002 Seville STS. I've read the other posts and this job is no picnic but I have some suggestions.

1) Remove the new filters from the package and note that that don't slide together that easily even when new. Obviously, after being in your car for many years (10 years in my case) they probably won't slide at all. You are supposed to be able to pull on the bottom tab sliding the bottom filter out and then the second filter drops down and you pull that one out and the third filter drops down and you remove it. The reality is that probably the plastic has welded together and nothing will slide. No shortcuts; just get them out however.

2) Now we can make some improvements. The factory service manual suggests using silicon spray on the new filters to aid installation. Instead, use silicon paste or grease. The filters will slide together MUCH easier than with the spray and because Silicon grease never deteriorates, the next time the cabin filter is changed each section WILL slide out just like the factory manual says it should.

Brian Bray

 

[rodnok01]

They do stink don't they...brilliant design. I use white grease on them too and shave any areas that are sticking. I had to literally take one out in pieces with needle nose pliers because it warped... that wasn't fun let me tell you. The first one I did had 75k on it and it was so incredibly filthy it wasn't even funny. Need to insert a step... Step 1 Drink beer

 

[thu]

What a pain in the butt these things are. I never look forward to replacing these. The last time I replaced these, the neighborhood kids learned some new words. I used some light machine oil on the segments and it helped. Next time, I'll try some light grease.

 

[Submariner409]

Best suggestion: Why even use a cabin air filter ??? Do you never open a window ??? Remove the filter, snap the cover back in place and have a scotch & water. I took mine out in 2006 and never regretted it.

EDIT: If you park outside, under trees or bushes, then maybe a filter is a good idea, but if the plastic outer grille screen is intact and you clean out any leaves/twigs, that should not be a problem either.

 

[Ranger]

:yeah:

 

[basscatt]

I too never reinstalled the filter in my car -

I would be afraid that any type of grease or oil would attract additional dirt
and make future extraction even more difficult -

silicone spray - or a dry-lube might be a better choice -

 

[blancaclaudia]

Thanks to everyone who commented:

To those who advocate not replacing the filter..remember how much dirt was in the old filter when you removed it? if you don't replace the filter, then you get that dirt inside your car and/or you get to breathe it. Do you really want to do that? If you are willing to do that to save changing the filter, I guess that's your choice.

To the poster who suggested riding around with the windows down, there is more pollution and dirt and more noise than there was years ago no matter where you live. Perhaps you want to own a Seville and ride around with the windows down, but to me one of the advantages of a luxury car is the isolation, quiet and comfort.

Finally, even after sanding and smoothing the surfaces of the filters (a great idea that I wish I had done!), compare how much easier they'll slide with silicon grease than either silicon spray or dry lube. If nothing else, the new filter installation will be much easier!

Think about which lubricant lasts longer on your sliding door on your house; it's silicon grease. All the lubricants mentioned do attract some dirt as you said, but if the lubricant disappears, then you'll have only the dirt left and that may make future filter removal more difficult. Silicon grease definitely lasts longer, usually forever; that's why I suggested silcon grease over the other lubricants.

Silicon grease is more expensive than the other lubricants mentioned; but remember the struggle you had to remove the old stuck together filters. Is the extra cost worth it? It is to me but it may not be for you. We all have choices.

Brian Bray

 

[Ranger]

To those who advocate not replacing the filter..remember how much dirt was in the old filter when you removed it? if you don't replace the filter, then you get that dirt inside your car and/or you get to breathe it. Do you really want to do that? If you are willing to do that to save changing the filter, I guess that's your choice.

How do you filter the air you breath when you get out of the car?

 

[basscatt]

if having a filter installed - and having it all greased up
gives you that warm-n-fuzzy feeling -
by all means - grease that bad-boy up -
and change it a couple times a year -

and like Ranger asked -
do you hold your breath between the car and house?
or maybe you wear a mask?
or maybe it just isn't all that important?

 

[vincentm]

How do you filter the air you breath when you get out of the car?

He has a Fram filter just before his lungs i think...

 

[MoistCabbage]

How do you filter the air you breath when you get out of the car?

A car isn't air tight anyway. It's full of this "dirty" air when you get in it, only the air coming through the vents is filtered. A flow through ventilation system isn't going to purge all the pollutants out, it all just gets mixed.

 

[basscatt]

I really think the biggest advantage of having the filter installed -
is that it keeps the fan cage cleaner than without a filter -

 

[MoistCabbage]

And that's the only reason I replaced mine.

 

[Tankboy40]

A car isn't air tight anyway. It's full of this "dirty" air when you get in it, only the air coming through the vents is filtered. A flow through ventilation system isn't going to purge all the pollutants out, it all just gets mixed.

I have a 72 Riviera with "flow thru" ventilation, such a good idea that Buick nixed it after onnly 2 yrs.... (Tho the flow thru decklid from a 71 DOES LOOK cool)

 

[Submariner409]

You might look down under the carpet/trunk liner in the rear part of the rear fenderwells - most of these cars have "flow through" ventilation - there's a one-way flapper valve down in each rear fenderwell. When you turn the HVAC OFF it will continue to allow air through the cabin and that air is still heated to your last control setting.

 

[cadi509]

And I hate that too

 

[Badger Jim]

I buy the replacements at Autozone, and get one of their guys to do it. It takes at least a half hour. Now I cal and make sure the same tech will be there. I will definitely try the grease idea.

 

[Ranger]

Never use the words AutoZone and Tech in the same sentence. That said, as big of a PITA as it is, I am surprised that they will do it for you.