[I2P]

How do I know when I should change the cabin air filter?

[gfeiner97]

pull it out and check it just like you do with the engine air filter. There is no sensor for the air filters. The frequency of change depends on each owner's driving conditions.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by I2P

How do I know when I should change the cabin air filter?

it’s covered every 2 years under new-vehicle maintenance plan, but you can change it more frequently if needed

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by nZtiZia

it’s covered every 2 years under new-vehicle maintenance plan, but you can change it more frequently if needed

The cabin air filter in my X5M was changed at the 2 year mark under the included maintenance plan, but not at the 4 year mark. Dealer wanted $220. to change it. Since I have such low mileage on the car, I declined that along with the vehicle check which was like $350.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

The cabin air filter in my X5M was changed at the 2 year mark under the included maintenance plan, but not at the 4 year mark. Dealer wanted $220. to change it. Since I have such low mileage on the car, I declined that along with the vehicle check which was like $350.

bummer. they changed mine at year 2 and year 4 (I was 3 years 354 days)

[BobsM3Coupe]

I just looked at the included maintenance schedule that came with the owners manual kit and it doesn't mention the cabin filter to be changed at the 4 year mark. It does mention it at the 2 year mark.
I probably only have maybe 6k on the cabin filter since the 2nd year service which included the filter change.

[Tejas1836]

Every year, ~$40

[aerof16]

I use after market filters and do mine once a year with my oil change.

[Astone22]

Which filters are people using

[GerryC]

Originally Posted by nZtiZia

bummer. they changed mine at year 2 and year 4 (I was 3 years 354 days)

Unless you purchase an Ultimate Care Plan, the free service ends at 36 months.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by GerryC

Unless you purchase an Ultimate Care Plan, the free service ends at 36 months.

i did

[eelnoraa]

I don’t think cabin filter is a time sensitive maintenance item. It is a function of environment and miles. Environment should make sense. Miles because if you don’t drive, cabin filter is not exposed to dirty air, well unless you idle with AC on a lot. With this logic, I have been doing mine every 10k miles, every 2 oil changes on my previous cars. They are inexpensive and take 2 min to change on older BMW’s. BMW maintainence plan into cover this once per year, not change to once every 2 years. I wonder why!!

[GerryC]

Originally Posted by eelnoraa

I don’t think cabin filter is a time sensitive maintenance item. It is a function of environment and miles. Environment should make sense. Miles because if you don’t drive, cabin filter is not exposed to dirty air, well unless you idle with AC on a lot. With this logic, I have been doing mine every 10k miles, every 2 oil changes on my previous cars. They are inexpensive and take 2 min to change on older BMW’s. BMW maintainence plan into cover this once per year, not change to once every 2 years. I wonder why!!

It's operating hours and environment more than miles. I just wish it was only a 2 min job these days. The issue is you have to be a contortionist to get under the dash to change it. I miss my old E46. Changing the filter on it was less than 30 seconds. It was top center of the cowl. Two quarter turn fasteners to remove the cover.

[eelnoraa]

Originally Posted by GerryC

It's operating hours and environment more than miles. I just wish it was only a 2 min job these days. The issue is you have to be a contortionist to get under the dash to change it. I miss my old E46. Changing the filter on it was less than 30 seconds. It was top center of the cowl. Two quarter turn fasteners to remove the cover.

Yes. Operation hour is hvac. But isn’t is more of a function of mile drive than time? More miles => more AC?

Yes e39/e46/e82. Super simple. What we used to think a complicated cars, they re child’s play in front of modern models. 😅

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by eelnoraa

I don’t think cabin filter is a time sensitive maintenance item. It is a function of environment and miles. Environment should make sense. Miles because if you don’t drive, cabin filter is not exposed to dirty air, well unless you idle with AC on a lot. With this logic, I have been doing mine every 10k miles, every 2 oil changes on my previous cars. They are inexpensive and take 2 min to change on older BMW’s. BMW maintainence plan into cover this once per year, not change to once every 2 years. I wonder why!!

It may not be time sensitive but it’s on schedule nonetheless. this is notification I got leading up to the 4y/40k mile service

[GerryC]

Originally Posted by eelnoraa

Yes. Operation hour is hvac. But isn’t is more of a function of mile drive than time? More miles => more AC?

Ten hours driving around town at 25 mph is 250 miles. Ten hours cruising down the interstate at 70 mph is 700 miles. In both cases the AC has been sucking air through the filter at a relatively constant rate for 10 hours despite the one case racking up almost 3 times the miles.

Using the oil change interval from the CBS works well as it compensates by reducing the mileage interval if your driving involves a lot of stop & go traffic or increasing it if it's all highway driving. I change the filters every second oil change.

[cth6]

On my daily (10-11k a year), I do it once a year both engine and cabin. Aligns with my annual oil change. I get all of it done in under an hour. Buy the inexpensive ones off of Amazon. I really haven't seen the difference in quality. I do stick with Mann for the oil filter. Been doing this for over 10 years on my M235 and plan on doing the same with the X5. Both the cabin and engine air filter definitely need it after a year.

[Portocale]

Originally Posted by Astone22

Which filters are people using

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...254d18022nXiX1 bought in China, made in Germany....