Change your Cabin Air Filter Easily with FRAM #FRAMFresh #CollectiveBias

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FRAMFresh #CollectiveBias

I have been driving for almost 16 years now. I admit that most of our vehicle maintenance is done by my husband. It is not that I can not do it, it is just the fact he enjoys taking care of the car and truck and I do not. But when he is away, the duties fall on me and I accept the challenge. I look at it as a refresher course and urge every woman to be involved with their vehicle maintenance in some way when possible. You just never know when you will be needing the skills yourself. With Fall being here I took this as a great time to change the filters in both the cabin and engine of our truck. This is not something I have ever attempted before so I did recruit one of my sons just in case I needed help.

We headed to Canadian Tire and looked through the aisles for the FRAM filters needed. Not knowing much about vehicle parts I went to the part desk. I gave the lady my vehicle information, make, model and year, answered a few questions and within minutes had the two filters I needed for my truck. I had taken a picture of my ownership before going in so everything I needed was in my phone. Most of the filters at this location were behind the parts desk counter, with some being in the aisle. Filters are specific to your vehicle so getting assistance when picking them up is needed.

FRAM Filters

The FRAM Fresh Breeze Cabin Air Filters and FRAM Engine Air Filters were located beside each other. The bright coloured boxes were easy to spot. I paid for them, collected my Canadian Tire money and headed home to install.

FRAM Filters in Box

We popped the hood of the truck and quickly found the spot for the engine air filter. It was held by 4 screws that seemed like they had never been undone. Once we removed the lid we were able to pull out the old filter and replace with the new. I was a little bit grossed out and it was clear this filter may never have been changed. A clean air filter improves airflow and prevents dirt and dust from entering and damaging the engine. It  can also increase acceleration, horsepower, and improve overall engine performance.

fram-engine-filter-compareFRAM recommends changing your air filter and cabin air filter at the same time. With both subjected to the same air quality and driving conditions, chances are if one needs changing, the other one needs as well. Plus it is way easier to remember when you change them both at the same time!

fram-engine-filter-install

Air quality in my vehicle is something I am embarrassed to admit I had never thought about until now. A few times in the summer we turned on the AC and I felt sneezy, now I can see why.

Locating where to replace the cabin filter was next. Finding it was easy enough but popping the compartment open was a bit of a hurdle. I think again, it was because it had never been changed. My son helped me do this as he had an easier time reaching up under the dash. The panel below the glove-box popped off and instantly debris started to fall. As he removed the bracket holding it in place, the filter crumbled a bit in his hands.

Cabin filter

All I could think to myself was “This is what the air we breath goes through before it reaches us?” A cabin air filter cleans the air entering the vehicles interior of dust, dirt and allergens for passenger comfort and safety.

fram-cabin-filter-compare

The cabin holds two filters side by side. The ones we removed had dust, plants and who knows what embedded in them. I was so happy that these were being changed. Replacing the cabin air filter maximizes airflow. Dirty cabin air filters can reduce the efficiency of heating, defrosting and air conditioning system. So as we approach our cold Canadian winter I am exited to see the difference in heating and defrosting.

Installing the new filters was easier than removing the old. We just slid them into place and replaced the bracket and panel.

fram-install-cabin-filter

I am so happy we changed the cabin filter. The engine filter will help my vehicle run better but the cabin filter will improve the quality of the air my family breathes. I am never going to go without changing these again!

Not sure how to change your cabin filter?

There is a video and an instruction sheet for every FRAM Fresh Breeze cabin air filter that shows you how to change your cabin air filter and where it is located in your vehicle. In some instances your owner’s manual may help with this information also.

How often should your cabin filter be changed?

A cabin air filter should be changed every 15,000 miles (24,000 KMs) or every year. This can vary depending on your driving habits, in some instances the maintenance section of your owner’s manual may list the recommended service interval for your vehicle also.

If your vehicle is newer than 2000, chances are you have a cabin filter. Up to 80% of vehicles built since 2000 have a cabin air filter or a compartment where one can be installed. Check out some tips and tricks for changing out your filters here!

Now it is time for you to fess up! Who takes care of the vehicle maintenance in your family? Have you ever changed your cabin filter before?

Comments

  1. Reesa Lewandowski says

    This looks a lot easier than I thought something like this would be. Awesome tips!

  2. I never knew that the filter changing was different than any other. I learned something new today.

  3. Thanks for sharing the rules of when these should be changed. I have a friend that has one and I will be sharing this with her.

  4. Wow. And a little education goes so far! Thank you

  5. Elizabeth Lampman says

    I will have to change mine this week. I always get it looked at with an oil change. It looks so easy to do.

  6. I had no idea it was so easy to change the filter. I will have to check the condition of mine tomorrow.

  7. alalisainfo says

    I had absolutely no idea about cabin filters. This is something I will bring to my hubby’s attention just to make sure he is aware of it for our car!

  8. shaunatorres says

    I had no idea it was so easy to do. I am totally going to talk to Hubby about doing it this weekend. Thanks for the info

  9. I have learned to change my Rav4’s cabin air filter.
    I even found a great price online and it is routinely delivered to me so I do not forget to change it.

  10. I have a newer vehicle so it should have a cabin filter. It’s good to know that it’s so easy to change.

  11. Hubby takes care of the car maintenance for our vehicles. After reading this post he’s going to check them this weekend.

  12. I struggle when it comes to changing filters. Sounds like a great and easy air filter.

  13. These sound great for changing air filters. I know I tend to let the mechanics do mine, my last van it was bolted onto the car and I couldn’t get to it easily.

  14. I am so happy I read this post! I had no idea this was even a thing! Going to talk to my mechanic and my husband about this –and also –so great to know that it’s so easy to change!

  15. Cabin air filters are super easy to change. I feel like they are overlooked by most people, but are important to keeping allergens at bay.

  16. Keeping your car fresh and free of allergens is a must! My hubby usually takes care of those in our cars. I’ve seen him replace it and there super easy!

  17. I have to say… I’ve done more car/engine work than I’d like to admit. My first husband (aka wasband) did all the work on our cars and trucks. My little hands were just too handy for reaching in places a wrench would go. My husband now takes the cars to the dealer for everything. I’ve had to ‘teach’ hime how easy and economical DIY can be! *wink

  18. kathy downey says

    I never knew that the filter had to be changed…learning on here everyday i love it !!

  19. Sadly my Trailblazer does not have one!! booo

  20. Wow! Changing them made quite a difference – those were filthy! It’s so comforting now to know that your family will be breathing cleaner air isn’t it? I’m inspired to change mine. #client

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