You can get a Hepa filter but some people have reported that it decreases air flow.

 

Is your concern that the air filter is not filtering enough dust and you have to constantly dust in addition? That is normal... simply because the cabin air filter will only filter what is recirculated through the blower system from your cabin interior. Yet when you open and close doors, you are literally creating vacuum pressures that draw outside dust into your cabin. So even with a cabin filter, you are going to have to do some dusting of the cabin in order to keep it clean and free of dust and dirt precipitating out of the air.

I would not suggest using filters that are not Honda OEM. Reason: different filters may cause airflow issues and or back-pressure issues on the blower. I know a lot of folks use aftermarkets to save a few bucks, but I personally stick with the OEMs.

Since you live in a high dust environment, you will be one of the owners who likely needs to replace your engine and cabin air filters on a more aggressive schedule, as Honda notes in their manual.

 

Is your concern that the air filter is not filtering enough dust and you have to constantly dust in addition? That is normal... simply because the cabin air filter will only filter what is recirculated through the blower system from your cabin interior. Yet when you open and close doors, you are literally creating vacuum pressures that draw outside dust into your cabin. So even with a cabin filter, you are going to have to do some dusting of the cabin in order to keep it clean and free of dust and dirt precipitating out of the air.

I would not suggest using filters that are not Honda OEM. Reason: different filters may cause airflow issues and or back-pressure issues on the blower. I know a lot of folks use aftermarkets to save a few bucks, but I personally stick with the OEMs.

Since you live in a high dust environment, you will be one of the owners who likely needs to replace your engine and cabin air filters on a more aggressive schedule, as Honda notes in their manual.

Thanks JI. I don't mind dusting once a week; every day is another matter!
The strange thing is we had my Mom's 2014 Accord for the first 10 months in this same environment and never had the dust problem we've had with this new CRV. My husband thinks the gaskets around the doors are not as tight as in the Accord.

We always drive with inside air circulating to reduce the intake of dust on the 2 miles of dirt road/driveway.

I'm tempted to look for a washable filter, not to save a few bucks but to have better air quality.
J

 

This is completely normal. I started a post about this before. I don't believe the filter has anything to do with this.

 

I have been using non oem cabin filters for years and have had no problems. Denso, who makes OEM sells cabin filters. I also use non OEM oil filters which have better specs than Honda filters.

Once you open a door on your car your basically allowing dust and new air into your car.

Funny as we had no problems having AC units in cars for decades with no cabin filters.

 

Funny as we had no problems having AC units in cars for decades with no cabin filters.

Because all you had to do was open a wing window at speed and presto, all the dust was gone.

 

"Funny as we had no problems having AC units in cars for decades with no cabin filters. "

I think it has something to do with all the plastic used today

 

A human sheds about 200,000,000 skin cells per hour. Most of the dust in a family home is dead skin cells, and presumably quite a bit of the dust in a car is too. Where there are people, there will be dust.

So, if you want a really dust-free car, don't get in it....

 

Haha!…….ashes to ashes, dust to dust……now we know, it’s just part of life, innit?!😜

 

I use only Honda cabin filters, change twice a year at a minimum. Use a Swiffer EVERY day when I get in the car, dash, instrument panel, screen, console & steering wheel. Every Honda I've owned has been a static trap, especially if you have dogs or cats. I vaccum once a week. Dust is endless.

 

I think a the CR-V being a hatch back compared to Accord which probably is not does not help.
I wonder if you can coat the dash/upholstery with something anti static would help on the visible area.
Lastly, when you first get into the car, use the recirculate fans for a bit.

That is what I can quickly think may reduce the dust on the upper more visible interior parts.

 

Most reputable filter brands, like WIX (an OEM supplier), only make OE spec filters. The reason is due to the fact that they don't want to be in trouble for damaging vehicle components. So no... you won't find an OE spec filter that filters more particles than a stock filter. Just check and change as needed. This said, OE spec is 1 micron -- which is smaller than can be seen by the naked eye, but less condensed than a HEPA filter (0.3 microns). I wouldn't use a HEPA filter because it is not OE spec and may strain your fans. You might want to check to ensure that the filter fits tightly and there are no air leaks around cabin seals.

 

2 miles of dirt road/driveway -- you have identified the problem. The solution is --- there isn't one, sorry to say.
I live in WA state and do not drive on dirt roads. I have to dust the inside of the CRV at least every 3 or 4 days. Where it comes from I do not know but in your situation I would dust everyday and change the cabin and air filter as if you use your vehicle in harsh environments. Good luck.

 

Another possibility is that the dust isn't coming in mainly through the air filter but past the door and window gaskets.
Try putting the air on outside air with a higher fan setting to put positive air pressure inside the vehicle while driving down that dusty road.
This will basically stop the dust from coming into the vehicle through cracks etc.
At lest it is worth a try and then you will know if most of the dust is coming in through bad seals or cracks, etc.
A very likely cause is usually a bad door seal, esp the one at the bottom of the door.
Very easy to try.
Buffalo4

 

Welcome to site, from another "Zonie"

I have to agree with others, the 2 miles dirt road is the issue. You mentioned not having the problem with an Accord. Keep in mind that the Accord is a sedan, with a closed trunk, The CR-V has a large open cargo area, and more seals. Perhaps check the seals around the cargo door. Have you tried the dollar bill trick? Take a dollar bill, with the rear cargo door open, hold the dollar bill against the seal/weather strip and close the door, carefully to avoid injuring your fingers, then try moving the bill around the distance of the rubber seal. If you find a spot where there is no resistance, (the dollar bill is loose), you have found your dust entry point. (or one of them) You can also do this around all the doors.

You MAY have to have a helper inside the rear to hold the other part of the dollar bill.

 

I also live on a gravel road and some dust gets in from when I get in and out of the vehicle... sometimes, if I don't close the windows fast enough, some will sneak in. I have never seen any dust make its way past the cabin filter seals....

I always inspect the door seals and leave the interior cycle mode on, but you can try both interior and outside modes to see if one helps more than the other. Personally, I have observed the best results by using interior mode.

 

Bosch makes a HEPA cabin filter it's available for around $24 at Rockauto.com if you want the highest end cabin filter.

 

My understanding is it has a higher resistance to airflow than the OEM filters.
You will get cleaner air, but less of it.

 

why do you think it's passing through the filter?

 

I use Pureflowair.com cabin filters and have had no issues.

 

I have a 2017 Touring, and had the same dust problems. Changed the filter twice (Honda brand)., with no luck. Then found FRAM Fresh Breeze Cabin Air Filter with Arm & Hammer Baking Soda, CF11182 for Select Acura and Honda Vehicles
on Amazon. About 1/3 the price of the Honda filters. I would say a 95% improvement. No airflow problems, either, that I have noticed.

 

I have a 2017 Touring, and had the same dust problems. Changed the filter twice (Honda brand)., with no luck. Then found FRAM Fresh Breeze Cabin Air Filter with Arm & Hammer Baking Soda, CF11182 for Select Acura and Honda Vehicles
on Amazon. About 1/3 the price of the Honda filters. I would say a 95% improvement. No airflow problems, either, that I have noticed.

I too have been using the same Fram cabin air filters in all 3 of my Hondas for the past 3-4 years (even since I learned how easy it was to swap them out...never again to pay the dealer!). No issues with these filters and reasonably priced at Walmart or Amazon, although they were a lot higher than normal this year..

 

K&N cabin air filter in both our CRV's. Works great easy to wash. Put K&N air filters on, too. Found one for our house a/c as well as our diesel mothorhome. Buy from Amazon if you don't know about/trust K&N.
Frank '09, '18

 

I have not ordered one yet on my CRV yet since I think I have 3k miles on it. I tend to order one for my two vehicles annually in the spring. Since it is not a engine performance related I just go with the cheapest one that has the charcoal in it. I feel that is an upgrade in itself.

 

K&N Filters makes a washable cabin filter that I've been using for years on my 2013 CRV and for me it seems to filter alot of the fine stuff, works excellent for me.

 

The OE spec filter that I use is the WIX. They have an XP version as well (with the charcoal), but the standard WIX works great for us. It also has the Microban 24 antimicrobial coating that they use in hospitals

 

Look up a Bosch HEPA cabin air filter.

 

FRAM. Just my opinion but any kind of filter on my vehicles I have owned the last 50 years or so I have run with Fram filters for the simple reason for me they have a 50 year track record.

 

I think this topic has been beaten to death. The cabin filter only filters what comes through the system. Every time you open a door or hatch you let particles in as well as open a window or the sunroof. The cabin filter does absolutely nothing for that.

 

I replaced the 2 year old OEM cabin air filter with a Bosch filter (6037c). No difference in air flow or performance.

 

FYI for those who are afraid to or don't know how to change your cabin filter: it will probably take more time to empty the contents of your glove box than it will to change out your filter.

If you prorate the cost of dealership filter change into cost per hour for actually doing it, you are talking triple digit income for the dealership. You'll find that buying printer ink is a bargain.