how do u know if the filter is bad?

Actually, it doesn't really go bad, it just get's so clogged with dirt/junk that it's not as affective.
The instructions early on in the thread are great for removing it just to check it out.
It takes about 2mins to check it, and if it's not that dirty, you can wait a while longer to change it.

Also, the Aldehyde filter was supposed to be "Life Changing" and an amazing advancement in filter technology, but it was invented in 1999, and Mazda is still the only one's really using it in a everyday applications.
I'm sure there a bio-labs using this stuff, but it didn't take off like they expected it to.
A quick google search shows either links to Mazda forums or labs.
When it was invented, they thought it would become the standard by which all filters are measured, but it didn't turn out that way.

I'd be really curious to see the difference in 2 vehicles, one w/ and one w/o the Aldehyde filter.
I always run my air on recirculate, so I wouldn't notice much of a difference.

is there a way you can j ust wash the filter or do you HAVE to just get a replacement???


thanks

The filter gets nasty.
I think you could take it out and used some compressed air to help a little, but I'm pretty sure you wouldn't want to wet it.

Also, the Aldehyde is the expensive one. I think there are cheaper replacements.
Honestly, you can make one as described, it's not very difficult.
(or pay me to do it. :) )

my take
 

the Aldehyde didnt make a difference for me. i will make my own. i have asthma and the filter didnt work. this is basised on running the filter vs running the air

use the Aldehyde frame
 

i have been trying different filter material and did have a problem using the stock filter frame. but the aldehyde frame has a lip in the bottom that will hold reusable filter material so no need for tape or mesh. i will try the filtrtee as cesaralaniz has as soon as i get some tin snips. i live in OK and the dust is real bad here. due to the asthma it a big deal for me. any help with filter material would be appreciated

Just called my local dealership and they wanted (get ready for this) $132 for the replacement cabin air filters!! I'm beginning to think they have some guy randomly making up prices and they take bets as to whether customers will fall for it and buy their parts.

Considering the Aldehyde filters retail from Mazda for $55 (http://www.mazdastuff.com/product.cfm?ProductID=1471) $132 for the stock filters is realy pushing it. Sounds like a $100+ profit, unless they do the install too, then its only $75+ profit.

Thanks for this wonderful and very important thread! It prompted me to check out my cabin air filter and here's what I found! The set on the left are the old ones and the new set of Mazda OEMs are on the right. The old set were really disgusting to say the least, especially for a dealer serviced RX-8 since 2003! So, here's a reminder to check your cabin filters! It's so easy to change it yourself.

mine arrived yesterday...I'll be installing soon.

yo! thanks for the steps!!! i followed your instructions and it probably took less than 10 mins...and that's with going back upstairs to my pc to check your instructions since i couldn't print them out and bring it to the garage...

and to think the dealership was going to charge me $150 to change it...that means it would've been $50 for the filer, and $100 for the labor, for less than 10 mins of work?!?!?

I have bad allergies & got the Aldehyde one for $55 @ the dealership. I don't know how effective it will be but, it is much thicker than the stock one. When i pulled the stock filter out, OMG!! it was so caked with dust, debris.... even full sized leaves! Previous owner obviously never changed these filters out.

Next time, I'll make my own using a 3M A/C filter like the one I use for my home... that thing only cost $12 bucks and I imagine I could make about 8 filters with it and change it out more often If I need to. That's at least $200 savings!

BTW, anyone attempting to DIY, be careful with that filter cover, I broke one of the clips (on the right side of the cover) while trying to pry it out.

OH yeah, and Dealership Service & Parts = Robbers and Rapists... empty your pockets, and just bend over.

Had to give this a slight bump. I just replaced the Stock Filter with the Aldehyde Filter and omg my stock filter was DIRTY! Full sized small leaves and enough dust to cause me to go into a sneezing fit (thank you allergies!). This could explain why on some long trips (re: +1hr) I'd get a bit groggy on the sick side. Should of known really since this car was supposedly "Mazda Pre-Certified" back when I bought it they never checked or replaced it.

Now to re-read through this thread to see how long this filter last's.

Just cleaned mine . As everyone has said - it was caked with crap .
I just got a vacuum cleaner & attached a brush fitting to the nozzle & managed to get it pretty good making sure I was always sucking from the dirty side .
Still is black (vs the nice white new ones) but i'm pretty sure it will be good enough for another couple of years.

hey good job man very good instructions

Decided to replace mine on the advice of the dealer mechanic. The old set wasn't all that dirty after 19K miles but put the new ones in and also cleaned the old. The webbing isn't all that thick so they cleaned up pretty well with only a hint of grey color left.
I did manage to break one of the right tabs off the filter box cover. It seems to still hook on pretty well. Should I be looking for a replacement cover or do you think I'll be OK with this setup?

Thanks Sl01. I pass a paper factory on my way home and a quarry. One of them has a sulfur smell to it, so I was planning on getting one of these filters. I had no idea how effective they were (or where they were located). I just checked the filters on my '05. BLACK...VERY BLACK! with plenty of gunk in between. I just ordered the aldehyde filter. Thanks for your pics.

I never smoked in my car (I quit in January after 20 years - Thank you Chantex!) but I can smell a minor smoke odor when the heater is on. I can only assume some of the smoke scent came off of me and got trapped in the filter. When I pulled it to check it, it had a "musky" scent to it. Hopefully changing the filter will help this.

I only want to smell liquid leather from Zaino Bros!. :-)

Thanks again for taking the time to shoot the pics. Major help for many of us who didn't bother to check our filters.

nice write up....was very simple

Heres my cabin filter....I dont think it was ever replaced, and im @ 61K miles

whoa! 61K miles!?!?!?!?!

mine starts to smell around 15 K miles ... how did ya manage to go that far ?

I checked mine today and it was pretty bad ... I will order a new one soon ... in the mean time when I took it out, it was jammed with leaves and rocks and dust and hair and ... ewww .... I shake it off a little whoa those dust blew out like crazy almost choked me to death ... sheesh ....

I replaced my 8's and my daughter's 6's early last month. If not replacing, I'll now be at least checking them each Spring as mice had made nests on the exterior sides in both vehicles!

how often are people replacing the Aldehyde filters?

once a year.. it's cheap and easy to do. Kinda like you Jorge

In all seriousness I figure 50 bucks once a year to keep the air in the cabin a little cleaner is a pretty cheap price to pay.

It's recommended to change the standard filter every 15k miles. I would think the aldehyde would fall under the same recommendation. There's someone here that's said the aldehyde is good for something like 40k miles but I haven't been able to confirm that anywhere. Unfortunately, the box the aldehyde comes in doesn't specify when to change it.

Wow I did not realise these filters got so dirty..