Parts Finder

Thursday, July 16, 2009

cabin filter

Auto Cabin Air Filter - Does Your Car Have One?
By Ed Sherbenou Platinum Quality Author


Did you know that some autos have a cabin air filter, an "air purifier" built into the air conditioning (AC) system?

Aftermarket industry surveys have shown that a majority of vehicle owners are unaware of this feature and whether their car or truck has a cabin air filter.

These filters have been added to vehicles in the last 20 years without much publicity. Placed on European autos in the mid 1980's, cabin air filters began to appear on US cars and trucks around 1995. Now the cabin air filter is common on American and Asian automobiles.

Cabin filters do not have standardized sizing, specifications, technology, or materials. There isn't even standard terminology.

Lots of cars are running with dirty, clogged cabin filters. Air conditioning and heating performance will be degraded and inside air quality will suffer if the filter is not serviced. When there is no pre-filter screen, leaves, twigs, and dirt will clog the filter media. Road grime will turn a white filter ugly black in about 12,000 miles.

Where is my Cabin Air Filter?

If you drive a 2000 or newer car, it probably has a filter.

Replacement is sometimes covered in the owner's manual. However, many manuals are cryptic at best, herding consumers to high priced dealer service departments.

Dealer service desk personnel should be able to advise you as to whether your car has a cabin air filter.

They may charge from $50 to $130 to replace it. But even if these prices seem acceptable to you, please read on. Not all replacement filters purify car cabin air equally well.

There is no list of car models with or without interior air filtration available. Worse yet, a given car model may have the option installed or not, depending on where it was sold or built, which drive train is installed, and other factors.

Filter manufacturer websites will have listings of replacements by make, model, and year. If you don't find your car listed after surfing a couple of these, you probable don't have a cabin filter.

Cabin air filters are often found behind an access panel in the AC duct housing, under the hood or inside the cab. It will often be on the passenger side.

Inside the cab, the filter cartridge may be accessed through or beneath the glove box. Under the hood, check the firewall near the AC plenum box for fasteners which may hold the cabin air filter housing. Many filters are located under the cowl.

The cowl is outside metal trim with vent louvers and windshield wipers sticking through it, below the windshield. Some cabin air filter installations require removal of part or all of the cowl. A common sign is an asymmetrical 2 piece cowl, with a shorter section on the passenger side.

Two types of cabin air filtration media are sold in the aftermarket: single and multiple stage filters. A single stage particulate filter, maybe just paper, is common in original equipment installations.

Single Stage Filters

These one stage filters trap larger airborne dust, the largest soot, and big allergens like pollen.

Premium cabin air filters typically use an electrostatically charged fiber mat to retain airborne particles. While far better than plain paper, these are not HEPA air filters. What particle size do they let through?

Evaluation of car cabin filters begins around the 10 micron size, with particle filtration efficiency falling rapidly in particle sizes smaller than 3 microns. Few sellers list particle efficiency and those that do may say: "The Cabin Air Filter can capture airborne particles that are larger than 3 microns."

Quality products capture particles as small as one micron, but at lower efficiencies, like 30%. Even the best cannot remove dangerous sub-micron particles.

Many standard one stage filter media are limp, without stiff edges to secure the filter firmly in the duct or plenum chamber. This allows dirty air to bypass.

Bypassing is often intentionally engineered to protect downstream AC components from overload.

Multiple Stage Filters

A multi-layer car air filter, typically using some activated carbon, reduces toxic gases and odors. Builders claim tests have shown carbon monoxide levels are reduced with the multi-stage filter models, but I think this is due to restricted intake rather than the actual removal of carbon monoxide.

Multiple stages on quality filters can have progressive size layers like prefilters in room air purifiers. The carbon layer comes last. More stages are definitely better. Best models have strong framing and sealed edges.

A top quality 5 stage charcoal filter may cost $20 to $35, about double the original equipment replacement. This is a very small price for healthier air in the cabin.

Replacement Filter Rip-Offs

Driving conditions will determine the service life of a cabin air filter. Urban pollution and/or rural dust call for frequent changes.

Filter replacement is called for when reduced airflow lowers air conditioner, defroster, and heater throughput, but filters should be exchanged long before this is noticed. Odors from the AC ducts may be a signal. Owners' manuals usually recommend replacement around 15,000 miles.

Can I Do It Myself?

Do-it-yourselfers and shade tree mechanics will have no problem with 99% of cabin air filter installations. A few may require removal of the passenger side wiper assembly.

Installing a cabin filter can be a 20 second job anyone can do, like opening and closing a kitchen drawer. But some can require 30 minutes of a mechanic's time.

While quick-lube operators were slow to catch on, industry journals now report that cabin air filters are their highest margin upsale service. It's a new slant on the old service station low oil scam.

Workers are trained to spot the vehicle models with the easiest to change cabin air filter media. They offer an inferior new filter only to drivers of those car models. The cost is less than dealer service departments, but is excessive for the easy job performed.

It is important to get the correct filter for the application. Slick operators will sometimes substitute incorrectly fitting, cheap, air filter media.

If you are not mechanically inclined, I recommend insisting on premium multi-stage filter media and observing the process to learn how much time it actually takes.

I recommend frequent exchange of original equipment cabin air filters, using 5 stage premium quality aftermarket products.

Whether your car has original equipment cabin air filtration or not, please consider an aftermarket car air purifier.

Monday, July 13, 2009

buy wix filters online

Performance Enhancers For Your Car
By Matthew Keegan Platinum Quality Author


Are you a tuner? A true tuner that is…or, are you a rice boy? Yeah, you know what I mean. Serious tuners bring out the power in their cars while rice boys slap on every imaginable part to make their car look like a racer when in fact they are not. So, what does it take to bring out the power in your engine? Not a whole lot! Let’s examine some helpful performance enhancing parts for your vehicle to give it a truly tuned edge.

Sorry for the pejorative term. Enhancing one’s car is a very personal thing and no everyone’s tastes vary. Still, some enhancements add little to the car’s value and can, in fact, take away from its performance. So, here are a few things you can do to add some zap to your engine:

Go Green -- Yep. Environmentally sound air filters are where it’s at. For between 40 and 65 bucks you can get the last air filter your car will ever need. Reusable, green air filters like those made by K&N bring out the performance in your car. Made of cotton gauze material, performance air filters increase acceleration and power as it provides excellent filtration. You’ll never have to buy another air filter again!

Chips ‘n Tuners -- Get the most out of your engine’s performance by swapping out the power chip that came with your car for one that is truly enhanced. Jet Chips can go a long way to tune your car while a Hypertech tuner can do the same thing. With the latter product, you simply plug the device into your car’s under dash diagnostic connector and follow the instructions on the unit to raise performance. Later, if you want, you can detune your car quickly. Both products are street legal in all fifty U.S. states and will not void new car warranties.

Cold Air Intake -- Installing this product will allow your engine to “eat” the air that it wants to eat. Cold air is thicker and denser and just what your engine needs to perform optimally. Install a cold air intake and your car will be “tuned” to accelerate and perform with much more freedom. You’ll like the improvement in looks too as cold air intakes are a real “stand out” in any car’s engine bay. Oh, yeah, get a load of its cool intake sound too!

Amazing Exhaust Systems -- A crowd favorite are some of the performance exhaust systems on the market. Borla, for one, offers cat-back exhaust systems and headers made of aircraft durable A-304 stainless steel. This product will help free up your engine’s performance resulting in horsepower gains from 5-15%! Yeah, you’ll have a real edge on the road now! Check out the cool exhaust sound too.

Best of all, all four products I mentioned not only give your car more power, but they will help to increase fuel mileage. That’s right a poorly performing engine actually acts as a drain on fuel economy, so you are actually helping to jack up fuel mileage by installing parts that really can make a difference!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Quality Motorcycle Air and Oil Filters are Not CHEAP

Quality Motorcycle Air and Oil Filters are Not CHEAP
By Mark Caswell


I am constantly amazed at where bikers will spend money. I see fellow bikers spend thousands on chrome whatzits and whatnots but neglect one of the most important parts on their bike- the lowly air and oil filter. Simply assuming that all filters are the same, or the filter labeled by the bikes manufacturer is good enough, or worse yet, that the manufacturer's filters are the best you can get is a very risky mind-set.

Do the research. Check the brands. Good filters are not cheap. You get what you pay for. You would never use a product that would scratch or dull that fine chrome, but that is exactly what happens to engine components when you cheat on filters. No motorcycle manufacturer makes filters. Period. They buy them based on lowest bidder price and label them. They have no interest in quality and frankly, profit from your use of inferior filters.

As I said, do the research and check the brands. The best filters are made by companies that CARE about your bike. Purolator, Wix, K&N, Green and a few others have been in the filter business for years based on quality products. Others have also been in business for years and make a crap product (i.e. Fram) because they spend big money on advertising. When shopping for a filter, don't shop price, shop quality. Most companies even offer chrome filters to match the whatzits and whatnots you bolted on already!

Ride safe and support your local ABATE chapter. Helmet laws suck!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Auto Cabin Air Filter Does Your Car Have One

Auto Cabin Air Filter - Does Your Car Have One?
By Ed Sherbenou Platinum Quality Author



Did you know that some autos have a cabin air filter, an "air purifier" built into the air conditioning (AC) system?

Aftermarket industry surveys have shown that a majority of vehicle owners are unaware of this feature and whether their car or truck has a cabin air filter.

These filters have been added to vehicles in the last 20 years without much publicity. Placed on European autos in the mid 1980's, cabin air filters began to appear on US cars and trucks around 1995. Now the cabin air filter is common on American and Asian automobiles.

Cabin filters do not have standardized sizing, specifications, technology, or materials. There isn't even standard terminology.

Lots of cars are running with dirty, clogged cabin filters. Air conditioning and heating performance will be degraded and inside air quality will suffer if the filter is not serviced. When there is no pre-filter screen, leaves, twigs, and dirt will clog the filter media. Road grime will turn a white filter ugly black in about 12,000 miles.

Where is my Cabin Air Filter?

If you drive a 2000 or newer car, it probably has a filter.

Replacement is sometimes covered in the owner's manual. However, many manuals are cryptic at best, herding consumers to high priced dealer service departments.

Dealer service desk personnel should be able to advise you as to whether your car has a cabin air filter.

They may charge from $50 to $130 to replace it. But even if these prices seem acceptable to you, please read on. Not all replacement filters purify car cabin air equally well.

There is no list of car models with or without interior air filtration available. Worse yet, a given car model may have the option installed or not, depending on where it was sold or built, which drive train is installed, and other factors.

Filter manufacturer websites will have listings of replacements by make, model, and year. If you don't find your car listed after surfing a couple of these, you probable don't have a cabin filter.

Cabin air filters are often found behind an access panel in the AC duct housing, under the hood or inside the cab. It will often be on the passenger side.

Inside the cab, the filter cartridge may be accessed through or beneath the glove box. Under the hood, check the firewall near the AC plenum box for fasteners which may hold the cabin air filter housing. Many filters are located under the cowl.

The cowl is outside metal trim with vent louvers and windshield wipers sticking through it, below the windshield. Some cabin air filter installations require removal of part or all of the cowl. A common sign is an asymmetrical 2 piece cowl, with a shorter section on the passenger side.

Two types of cabin air filtration media are sold in the aftermarket: single and multiple stage filters. A single stage particulate filter, maybe just paper, is common in original equipment installations.

Single Stage Filters

These one stage filters trap larger airborne dust, the largest soot, and big allergens like pollen.

Premium cabin air filters typically use an electrostatically charged fiber mat to retain airborne particles. While far better than plain paper, these are not HEPA air filters. What particle size do they let through?

Evaluation of car cabin filters begins around the 10 micron size, with particle filtration efficiency falling rapidly in particle sizes smaller than 3 microns. Few sellers list particle efficiency and those that do may say: "The Cabin Air Filter can capture airborne particles that are larger than 3 microns."

Quality products capture particles as small as one micron, but at lower efficiencies, like 30%. Even the best cannot remove dangerous sub-micron particles.

Many standard one stage filter media are limp, without stiff edges to secure the filter firmly in the duct or plenum chamber. This allows dirty air to bypass.

Bypassing is often intentionally engineered to protect downstream AC components from overload.

Multiple Stage Filters

A multi-layer car air filter, typically using some activated carbon, reduces toxic gases and odors. Builders claim tests have shown carbon monoxide levels are reduced with the multi-stage filter models, but I think this is due to restricted intake rather than the actual removal of carbon monoxide.

Multiple stages on quality filters can have progressive size layers like prefilters in room air purifiers. The carbon layer comes last. More stages are definitely better. Best models have strong framing and sealed edges.

A top quality 5 stage charcoal filter may cost $20 to $35, about double the original equipment replacement. This is a very small price for healthier air in the cabin.

Replacement Filter Rip-Offs

Driving conditions will determine the service life of a cabin air filter. Urban pollution and/or rural dust call for frequent changes.

Filter replacement is called for when reduced airflow lowers air conditioner, defroster, and heater throughput, but filters should be exchanged long before this is noticed. Odors from the AC ducts may be a signal. Owners' manuals usually recommend replacement around 15,000 miles.

Can I Do It Myself?

Do-it-yourselfers and shade tree mechanics will have no problem with 99% of cabin air filter installations. A few may require removal of the passenger side wiper assembly.

Installing a cabin filter can be a 20 second job anyone can do, like opening and closing a kitchen drawer. But some can require 30 minutes of a mechanic's time.

While quick-lube operators were slow to catch on, industry journals now report that cabin air filters are their highest margin upsale service. It's a new slant on the old service station low oil scam.

Workers are trained to spot the vehicle models with the easiest to change cabin air filter media. They offer an inferior new filter only to drivers of those car models. The cost is less than dealer service departments, but is excessive for the easy job performed.

It is important to get the correct filter for the application. Slick operators will sometimes substitute incorrectly fitting, cheap, air filter media.

If you are not mechanically inclined, I recommend insisting on premium multi-stage filter media and observing the process to learn how much time it actually takes.

I recommend frequent exchange of original equipment cabin air filters, using 5 stage premium quality aftermarket products.

Whether your car has original equipment cabin air filtration or not, please consider an aftermarket car air purifier.


Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Wix Cartridge Metal Canister Lube Filter

Wix 51800 Spin-On Lube FilterWix 51800 Spin-On Lube Filter
Buy new: $31.15
Usually ships in 1 to 2 days
Wix 51971XD Spin-On Lube FilterWix 51971XD Spin-On Lube Filter
Buy new: $40.73
Usually ships in 1 to 2 days
Wix 51554 Cartridge Metal Canister Lube FilterWix 51554 Cartridge Metal Canister Lube Filter
Buy new: $14.90
Usually ships in 1 to 2 days
Wix 51737 Spin-On Lube FilterWix 51737 Spin-On Lube Filter
Buy new: $21.54
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Wix 51329 Spin-On Lube FilterWix 51329 Spin-On Lube Filter
Buy new: $16.94
Usually ships in 1 to 2 days
Wix 51844 Spin-On Lube FilterWix 51844 Spin-On Lube Filter
Buy new: $15.78
Usually ships in 1 to 2 days
Wix 24945 Cartridge Metal Canister Lube FilterWix 24945 Cartridge Metal Canister Lube Filter
Buy new: $8.73
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Wix 57454 Cartridge Metal Canister Lube FilterWix 57454 Cartridge Metal Canister Lube Filter
Buy new: $18.35
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Wix 51823 Cartridge Metal Canister Lube FilterWix 51823 Cartridge Metal Canister Lube Filter
Buy new: $32.52
Usually ships in 1 to 2 days
Wix 57097 Cartridge Metal Canister Lube FilterWix 57097 Cartridge Metal Canister Lube Filter
Buy new: $40.76
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< <> 1 ... 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Next > >

Wix Cartridge Metal Free Lube Filter

Wix 57133 Cartridge Metal Canister Lube FilterWix 57133 Cartridge Metal Canister Lube Filter
Buy new: $22.82
Usually ships in 1 to 2 days
Wix 51066 Cartridge Metal Canister Lube FilterWix 51066 Cartridge Metal Canister Lube Filter
Buy new: $10.47
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Wix 51297 Cartridge Metal Canister Lube FilterWix 51297 Cartridge Metal Canister Lube Filter
Buy new: $31.42
Usually ships in 1 to 2 days
Wix 51079 Cartridge Sock Lube FilterWix 51079 Cartridge Sock Lube Filter
Buy new: $19.07
Usually ships in 1 to 2 days
Wix 51286 Spin-On Lube FilterWix 51286 Spin-On Lube Filter
Buy new: $12.51
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Wix 51569 Cartridge Metal Canister Lube FilterWix 51569 Cartridge Metal Canister Lube Filter
Buy new: $15.71
Usually ships in 1 to 2 days
Wix 51537 Cartridge Metal Canister Lube FilterWix 51537 Cartridge Metal Canister Lube Filter
Buy new: $16.41
Usually ships in 1 to 2 days
Wix 57314 Cartridge Metal Free Lube FilterWix 57314 Cartridge Metal Free Lube Filter
Buy new: $31.99
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Wix 57198 Cartridge Metal Free Lube FilterWix 57198 Cartridge Metal Free Lube Filter
Buy new: $13.16
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Wix 51734XE Spin-On Lube FilterWix 51734XE Spin-On Lube Filter
Buy new: $30.76
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Wix Air Filter

Wix 46166 Air Filter WrapWix 46166 Air Filter Wrap
Buy new: $32.61
Usually ships in 1 to 2 days
Wix 42077 Air FilterWix 42077 Air Filter
Buy new: $6.93
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Wix 42141 Air FilterWix 42141 Air Filter
Buy new: $8.59
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Wix 42912 Air FilterWix 42912 Air Filter
Buy new: $8.98
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Wix 46531 Air FilterWix 46531 Air Filter
Buy new: $32.30
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Wix 42242 Air FilterWix 42242 Air Filter
Buy new: $20.46
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Wix 46236 Air FilterWix 46236 Air Filter
Buy new: $11.86
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Wix 46093 Air FilterWix 46093 Air Filter
Buy new: $11.58
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Wix 42079 Air FilterWix 42079 Air Filter
Buy new: $9.74
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Wix 46042 Air FilterWix 46042 Air Filter
Buy new: $9.74
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Wix Air Filter

Wix 46178 Air FilterWix 46178 Air Filter
Buy new: $10.07
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Wix 46171 Air FilterWix 46171 Air Filter
Buy new: $10.33
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Wix 46427 Air FilterWix 46427 Air Filter
Buy new: $23.34
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Wix 42064 Air FilterWix 42064 Air Filter
Buy new: $8.34
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Wix 42838 Air FilterWix 42838 Air Filter
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Wix 42301 Air FilterWix 42301 Air Filter
Buy new: $9.93
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Wix 42099 Air FilterWix 42099 Air Filter
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Wix 24881 Cabin Air FilterWix 24881 Cabin Air Filter
Buy new: $17.01
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Wix 46193 Air FilterWix 46193 Air Filter
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Wix 24908 Cabin Air FilterWix 24908 Cabin Air Filter
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Wix Air Filter

Wix 46056 Air FilterWix 46056 Air Filter
Buy new: $11.97
Usually ships in 1 to 2 days
Wix 46156 Air FilterWix 46156 Air Filter
Buy new: $14.49
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Wix 46011 Air FilterWix 46011 Air Filter
Buy new: $8.52
Usually ships in 1 to 2 days
Wix 42137 Air FilterWix 42137 Air Filter
Buy new: $47.99
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Wix 24776 Cabin Air FilterWix 24776 Cabin Air Filter
Buy new: $126.74
Usually ships in 1 to 2 days
Wix 46284 Air FilterWix 46284 Air Filter
Buy new: $15.50
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Wix 46086 Air FilterWix 46086 Air Filter
Buy new: $12.48
Usually ships in 1 to 2 days
Wix 46228 Air FilterWix 46228 Air Filter
Buy new: $16.29
Usually ships in 1 to 2 days
Wix 42463 Air FilterWix 42463 Air Filter
Buy new: $21.61
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Wix 46022 Air FilterWix 46022 Air Filter
Buy new: $8.51
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< <> 1 ... 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 ... Next > >