Before you start on me - Yes, I did a search and didn't see another thread on this subject. <squints> Nope, still don't see one.

N-E-ways, does anyone have a clue where the cabin air filter is located and how to remove it so I can take a look at it?

The part number is: LDY4-61-J6X

My reason is this: I had a terrible experiance at my somewhat local Mazda dealer and am wondering if they charged me for work that wasn't done. I have placed a formal complaint with MazdaUSA about the whole visit, but this wasn't part of it until I started thinking evil thoughts about what could be really happening there. Interesting they charged me $69.95 for that filter and yet I can go on-line and get it for $43.21. Add in labor and you have a nice chunk of change going to replace an air filter.

 

its behind your glove box. open the glove box, remove the hinge, and the air filter is located behind there in two parts.

 

also, if you replace the air filter, get the aldhride filter (missspelled), it is a much better filter, I think it ran $40.

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-aldehyde-cabin-air-filter-installation-8353/

 

Thanks! I shall dig it out tomorrow and take a look at it.

<looks around for chain saw>

This should be easy!

 

Whoa, you got totally ripped off! You have every right to be pissed off. Two things you should know:

1) My cabin air filter was replaced by the dealer in June, same part number as yours (LDY4-61-J6X), and I was charged $27.75 for the part. They didn't charge me any labor. I have no clue why you were charged so much.

2) Mazda is offering a rebate on cabin air filters installed by the dealer, up to a $30 value. My dealer didn't tell me about it--I discovered it by reading on this forum. Go to the dealer and request the rebate form ASAP, because it must be postmarked by November 30, 2004!

 

How much do you guys think labor will be and for what amount of time?

 

This thread: https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=8353

has instructions on how to change the cabin air filter. It's very easy... takes just a few minutes.

--SL01

 

How often do you need to change the air filter? The car is reletively new.

 

bean: the owner's manual recommends changing the cabin air filter every 24 months; however, the technicians claimed mine was completely clogged with leaves and pollen after 9 months. I would follow the interval recommended by the manual unless you take your car in for service and they insist the filter is completely clogged. You could always check it yourself periodically if you have some extra time on your hands.

 

The reason I asked about labor charge is because in order to get the free cabin filter, you have to agree to let the dealership install it. So the labor charge better not be more than the price of the filter.

 

How would they know if it is clogged? I would have a hard time believing they would actually check this during a routine oil change.

 

In my case, they checked it as part of the "Full Circle Service". You know the sheet that has all the green, yellow, and red checkboxes for fluid levels, tire tread depth, brake pad linings, etc? There is a section on the sheet that says "Recommended Additional Services", and in this section next to "Other", they wrote "Replace cabin air filter--clogged with leaves and pollen".

I am not sure if it is standard procedure to check the cabin air filters. At the time, the service department claimed that most RX-8s that they had seen needed the cabin air filter replacement, so maybe they made it a habit to check it on every car. I'm not sure if they're still doing that.

In any case, I wouldn't worry too much about it. I think it performs a function similar to a furnace filter. You are supposed to replace a furnace filter every month, but who actually does so? The air quality in your house will be reduced, and the volumetric flow rate of air will be reduced over time if you wait to replace the filter, but won't prevent the furnace from functioning until it becomes so clogged that an overheat condition exists.