That's one dirty filter !

 

Oh yeah! :lol: It had all kinds of stuff in there. The musty smell is all gone now!

 

Thanks Munky!
An alternate method to squeezing in the sides of the glovebox (step #3), is to remove the pins by twisting them out with your fingers or small pliers. This is what the manual says to do.

 

I didn't even read the manual :lol: I just knew that squeezing the sides does the trick and takes about two seconds.

Thanks for sharing the alternative method!

 

IDEA for everyone (I did this on my S2k) ... LOL, when I replaced my cabin filter I also put a couple of dryer sheets in there too and it smells like clean fabric softener every time I used my AC LOLOLOL...

Also, home depot sells these little gel looking cards that you stock onto AC filters for the house that have like 5 different smells (Ocean breeze, Forrest, Etc...) they just adhere to the filter in your AC in your house, no reason why you cant use them on your car filter too,...

But the dryer sheets worked for a really long time... I got the idea once using a tube of toilet paper stuffed with these in them while I smoked in my car so I didnt have a lingering smell lolol

 

LOL I used to use the toilet paper tubes with dryer sheets when I was younger. We called them "buttholes" we had to use them when we smoked in my friends basement. And im not talking about tobacco... :Squint:

 

Thanks Munky. I have 20k now, going to replace it next week. How much is the OEM filter?

ssmr2t, where did you put your dryer sheets? On top of the filter?

 

I saw some bugs crawling around in that filter of yours...nice DIY, I think mine was just as dirty, done 3 months ago.:thumbsup:

 

Cost me $22 at the dealer. You can probably find them cheaper online, especially in bulk.

 

Nice write up there Munky! Also if you guys are noticing a smell after only a few thousand miles then have your car checked out by the dealer before just replacing the filter as there is an active Technical Service Bulletin out from KIA to address this issue.

 

I only have 12k on mine and it was horrible. Almost looked black lol. Vents smell like crap

 

Nice write up Munky.

Sick BMW....I might have to do that. Was having a weird smell in my car, and this past weekend the dealer gave me a loaner jetta, also had the same smell when I turned on the a/c

 

Yeah on the step to push in the sides, really the best route is the simple twisting of the 2 side latches and be ready it is ready to drop straight down on the hinge. Such an easy job and SOOOO much easier than our VW to change out for sure.

Here is mine at around 18k miles (IIRC)

 

My 'old' dealer wanted to charge me $46.99 to replace mine! I did it a few weeks ago with a nice carbon filter (helps clean outside stink) in about 5 minutes, and it cost $17.

 

Do you have a link for that carbon filter?

 

Here's mine at 16K, thanks for a great pictorial!

 

Plus one on the carbon cabin filter, just as long as it doesn't smell.

 

Link to the carbon filter would be great!

 

Hey Munky, or anyone that may know...


My GF has a 2011 Forte SX. It's getting close to needing the cabin filter replaced. Do you think the process is almost similar?

 

I would imagine so. It was the same process in my 2009 Sonata, too.

 

It could be, as the process is the came on the current Sportage as well

 

Thanks. I'll try it out when we get the new filter.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using AutoGuide.Com Free App

 

If only replacing the cabin air filter was this easy on all cars. My 01 Toyota Avalon has a slot to remove the filter but of course the filter does not line up with it. Have to take the ENTIRE lower dash off to get to it. Absolutely ridiculous amount of work to replace a simple air filter. Just did it today and made a write up over at toyotanation.com DIY Cabin Air Filter Replacement 01 Avalon XL - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

 

I'm not the DIY'er type, but have to admit this was the easiest cabin air filter replacement ever! No screwdrivers, no fuss. Thanks for the tips, Munky! I used the following carbon infused filter I got from ebay: 2011 - 2012 Kia Optima CARBON Cabin Air Filter - Fits OEM# 3SF79-AQ000 F784EB9AA | eBay. I highly recommend it as the quality seemed a step above the Kia filter I took out (after 9500 miles) and the part came the day after I bought it. Not always the usual ebay experience...

 

i like the ones with febreeze on it... i think it's from autozone or walmart

 

Thanks for the great article, it was just in time. My overused AC began smelly moldy a few weeks ago, but now I know how to change it. Good looking out!

 

Just read the post about how bad the filter was at 20k... couldn't believe it til I pulled mine out. I have 18k, tho I live in SFL, so the ac is always going.. thought they were good for about 40k. Btw... I pulled it out just to look, and when I saw how bad it was I thew it out.. is it bad to run it a few days without a replacement?

 

Thanks! That was well done...!