So after 34K miles I decided to go ahead and swap out the Cabin Air Filter. I purchased the new filter at the dealer for $32.45 after tax. I couldn't find an aftermarket version, but given that paper element filters still run like $15-$25, I doubt that aftermarket manufacturers are able to hit a better price point given that the filter is a two piece in a plastic frame.
Products needed: Mazda part number D651-61-J6X (Filter, Cooling Unit) or equivalent
Tools needed: Philips Screw Driver
So here's a picture of the box with the part number and what not:
My first step was to get the glove box out of the way. If you don't feel like doing this step, I'm sure it can be skipped (But why not just get it out of the way? It's a piece of cake). So just open the glove box and squeeze the top portion together as the arrows show in the image below:
Once the tabs are lowered past the catch point, you can pull the glove box toward the rear of the car to release the plastic "C" clips from the pivot points as show below: CAUTION: If you drop the glove box once you are past the catch points it WILL dump everything onto the floor.
The filter cover is located forward of the passenger side kick panel and is secured by 4 Philips screws as shown below. Once the screws are removed, the cover pulls off with no resistance.
The bottom section of the 2-piece filter slides out, and the top section will fall down in its place to be removed. Slide them back in in reverse order. The new filter comes with an instruction pages, but it should be easy to use the old filter for directional reference. The side with the bugs and leaves stuck in it was the side facing the front of the car.
Also, the fliter is set up so that it can only install one way.
Here is a pic of my old filters for reference and to marvel at how dirty they get in just over a year and a half:
Hope this helps.
Products needed: Mazda part number D651-61-J6X (Filter, Cooling Unit) or equivalent
Tools needed: Philips Screw Driver
So here's a picture of the box with the part number and what not:
My first step was to get the glove box out of the way. If you don't feel like doing this step, I'm sure it can be skipped (But why not just get it out of the way? It's a piece of cake). So just open the glove box and squeeze the top portion together as the arrows show in the image below:
Once the tabs are lowered past the catch point, you can pull the glove box toward the rear of the car to release the plastic "C" clips from the pivot points as show below: CAUTION: If you drop the glove box once you are past the catch points it WILL dump everything onto the floor.
The filter cover is located forward of the passenger side kick panel and is secured by 4 Philips screws as shown below. Once the screws are removed, the cover pulls off with no resistance.
The bottom section of the 2-piece filter slides out, and the top section will fall down in its place to be removed. Slide them back in in reverse order. The new filter comes with an instruction pages, but it should be easy to use the old filter for directional reference. The side with the bugs and leaves stuck in it was the side facing the front of the car.
Also, the fliter is set up so that it can only install one way. Here is a pic of my old filters for reference and to marvel at how dirty they get in just over a year and a half:
Hope this helps.
