Replacing the Cabin Air Filters

[Speedy3]

This isn't as bad as it looks, but it will take around 45 min. I recommend doing this after about 30k miles or so. The filters are available from the dealer for about $35 for the pair. Yes, I said pair. There are 2 filters that stack on top of each other and they must go in correctly because they are both different. They come out and go in one at a time. The openning is only big enough for 1 filter to slide in/out. After the first one comes out the top one drops down. The top one fits into a slide rail up top. When you get both old filters out, clean out all the crap that is stuck in that box before putting the new ones in. One last thing, be carefull when you are disconnecting/re-connecting the connectors to the fuse panel. I broke the small one when trying to re-connect it.

Tools:
#2 Phillips Screwdriver
3/8" Rachet
12mm Socket
About 24" of 3/8" rachet extentions
3/8" swivel

Basic Steps:
1. Remove Dash Trim (the long skinny one)
2. Remove Glove Box
3. Remove Fuse Panel/Bracket
4. Remove Filter Cover
5. Replace Filters

Updated video.

YouTube - Cabin Air Filter Replacement Mazdaspeed 3

YouTube - Cabin Air Filter Replacement Mazdaspeed 3

[aaronc7]

thanks for the vid man. im at 40k miles i need to do this lol

[Zeya]

That's awesome Speedy3. What is the difference between the two videos, though?

[Speedy3]

Originally Posted by Zeya That's awesome Speedy3. What is the difference between the two videos, though?

Forgot the fuse panel cover removal. Not a big deal, but i like things to be as good as I can make them.

[2008speed3]

GREAT VIDEO but I have to say.....
WTF Mazda
Could you have made this more difficult!!!

[gsrtype1]

awsome bro thanks!!!

[DISITRB]

Now that's you do a how-to. The was the best one I seen. Thanks a lot Speedy3.

[Speedy3]

Thanks all. The problem I had was with windows movie maker. It really doesn't do well with large files. Probably didn't help that I only had 1 GB of ram on my laptop either. It crashed about every 5 minutes of making the video. But, it was fun making it. I should have done one for every mod I had on my car, but they are long since removed and sold....

[steven88]

this is the best how to ever...thanks speedy3!

[Hank3]

Excellent. This will come in handy in about 27K more miles

[dutchbuffalo]

Anyone know if this is the same on a Speed6 ?

[Speedy3]

Originally Posted by steven88 this is the best how to ever...thanks speedy3!

Thanks bro!

[Speedy3]

Originally Posted by dutchbuffalo Anyone know if this is the same on a Speed6 ?

You could find out very easily if you just take off the passenger side, left kick panel and look up in there with a flash light. Look for the housing cover I show in the video.

[Speedy3]

Deleted original video since it was missing a step. I just checked a 2008 Mazda 3 sedan 2.0 liter and it has the same filter cover. I don't know if it had filters, but the exact same cover was there, so I assume filters can be installed in it.

[retrobmx63]

Great how-to. Doesn't get much better than that.

Well... it could if the MS3 didn't hide everything in such cramped locations. (i.e. our turbo in no man's land, cold side boost clamps, etc)

I mean look how easy it is to replace the STI cabin filter 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI: It's Fun to Replace the Cabin Air Filter | Long-Term Road Tests Blog on Edmunds' Inside Line

[rhyick]

thanks for the how to. I dont understand why Mazda decided to make something like that so freaking difficult to remove.

[ManiacMx3]

Excellent write up its definitely time for me to do this i just gotta get the urge to take it apart!

[labikesrcool]

Speedy3 you have taken what is probably the biggest pain in the ass maintenance item on the car and made it MUCH less daunting. thank you for your effort!

[macdaspit3]

mazda's gotta get their acts together if they want to compete...all that just to replace a cabin filter...they gotta learn from honda toyota nissan etc... it only takes 3 min max for this kind of maintenace. The video is awesome however! Thanks speedy3

[Loader]

this is quite useful, i hate the stinky smell that sometimes comes with old cabin filters.

[NoRegrets]

this is one of the nicest walkthroughs i have ever seen for anything on our cars.
thank you for taking the time to put together such a thorough video.

[45ACP]

THANKS

[SMC]

i need to do this soon when my car hit like 24k miles the dealer said i needed it...now i have almost 29k so i want to do it by 30k

[Sport6]

Originally Posted by dutchbuffalo Anyone know if this is the same on a Speed6 ?

For the speed6 it should be just as easy as my regular 6 that I had. You just have to drop down the glove box and theres a door right behind there.


^^ You can see the filter door with the box hanging down in this picture ^^



P.S. Jacked the pics from a How to on another site because I wasn't sure if thats a "No No" on this site. But basically those pictures explain it all.

[steven88]

LOL, that looks so much easier on the 6!

[Reevsey]

very informative ...thanks!

That was BY FAR tyhe best HOW TOO i have ever seen. You my friend deserve a friggen GT3076 for that

[zfreebird]

Thank you for the post. Gotta do this soon because I'm at 46K miles.

[prenedo]

Thanks for this how-to, helped out a ton! Kinda wish I never ran across this thread though, what a fucking PITA! (like 1 1/2 hours PITA; fucking top filter cover screw) This resulted in bloody knuckles, rug-burnt elbow and a broken flash lite that was accidentally thrown at the ground in anger. Worth saving the 60 bucks and getting rid of that funk. There was so much shit built up on mine at 40k, do this if you haven't; and use speedy's walk-thru.

[Hank3]

Finally did this today. Car had a little over 23K miles so I was close to the recommended service interval (2 yrs/24K). With my laptop in the passenger seat and this video streaming, I was able to knock this out super easy. Probably took me about 30-40 minutes. No hiccups; everything went smoothly; and the filters were nasty.

[AFcadet]

wtf are all those cables lol...hardwire that shit!

[Cataphract_40]

thanks for this write-up/video, I am just about to do this and this video is going to help A LOT!

[carfanatic101]

thats why i still have my warentee

[Cataphract_40]

thanks again. Replaced both filters this afternoon. Total pain in the ass to get at those last little screws, but perseverance won through in the end. Your video helped a ton - kudos to you!

[IneptSideKick]

mazda made this much harder then it needed to be WTF

[Itchy]

Any chance this is different for the 2010 Speed3?

Seriously doubt it, but I am hopeful until one of you crushes that dream.

[ZoomZoomVT]

I dont look forward to this! Thanks for your time though, awesome video!

[webster13]

feel more comfortable about doing this now...sweet thanks

[MPS83]

thanks for this write-up/video

[MGM_GT3]

Gonna attempt this coming Saturday. Bought some WIX branded for $18 from Amazon.com