Hall
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Dayton, OH
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| [Tech] Maintenance "minder" light - '06 Accord
I took our Accord to the dealer yesterday for an oil change and the service adviser of course has to see what "code" is on the dashboard, which happens to be "A2". For my car, that means check the air filter and change it every 15k if you drive in "dusty" conditions. That's what the manual says... According to him, the car knows the air filter is dirty and needs changed. Is he full of it ?
They want $45 ($35/part, $10/labor) to replace the air filter. I'll check the filter myself and replace it with a FRAM from Autozone for $15 and free labor... He also mentioned the cabin air filter can be changed for almost $100. I can get that part for $15-30 (aftermarket) so I'm guessing it's not easy to replace. |
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Count Zero
MD2Be
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join:2007-01-18
Warner Robins, GA
1 edit | He's full of it.
I let them do my internal air cabin filter though, I didn't want to mess around with it and my allergies are bad enough I'm willing to spend the money to keep it clean. |
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Hall
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Dayton, OH
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| said by Count Zero  : I let them do my internal air cabin filter though, I didn't want to mess around with it... I thought changing the cabin filter might be difficult, so I searched for how to do it. I was suspecting a $25-40 dealer part and a half-hour labor (based on a $90 total they told me). I could drive to Autozone, buy the filter, and change it in less than 30 minutes !
Next time yours needs replaced, here's how:
1) Open and empty the glovebox.
2) Squeeze both triangular-shaped side panels inward and gently pull down. This will allow it swing down 90-120 degrees from it's normal position.
3) You'll see a black plastic housing that says "AIR FLOW" right in the middle. On each end are two release tabs. Squeeze both in at the same time and pull the "tray" out.
4) The filter simply drops into it. |
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Count Zero
MD2Be
Premium
join:2007-01-18
Warner Robins, GA | That's cool. Yeah next time the filter needs replacing I'll just do it myself.
How much was the filter at Auto Zone? |
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Hall
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Dayton, OH
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| I called Autozone and Advance Auto Parts and oddly, Autozone wants $30 whereas Advance only wants $15 or so... I checked some Honda dealers who sell online and they want around $20.
Autozone sells a Bosch, »www.autozone.com/R,APP759555/veh···tail.htm ... $29.99. The nearest store to me (5 min drive) doesn't have it but others not far away do have it.
AAP sells a Purolator, »www.partsamerica.com/ProductDeta···r=C35519, for $13.99.
Mine was dirtier than I was expecting but I'm not sure if it needs replaced yet. If the engine air filter does though, I'll do both at the same time. |
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ninjatutle
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San Ramon, CA
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| reply to Hall
The hardest part about the install is time and effort to remove the contents of your glove box and removal of the new cabin filter from the packing box/bag.
I have the same car in a 2 door. I forgot about changing mine so mine will be done soon 
»www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFHUJJ6Rc6s |
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ninjatutle
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San Ramon, CA
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| reply to Hall
You can also buy the cabin filters on Amazon.com. Right now, Amazon itself is out of stock but other vendors do carry them and you can buy it for $17 shipped.
»www.amazon.com/gp/part-finder/sl···arId=001
»www.amazon.com/ACDelco-CF159-Pas···arId=001 |
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Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
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1970 442 W30
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1 edit | reply to Hall
»www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carco···ype,6832
Note: There is a 5% discount code available for Rockauto.com.
Get an extra 5% (five percent) off the Parts Total if you use one of the codes below in the "How did you hear about us" box and click set or apply to see the discount appear.
• 930233700489
• 989780871758
• 1006837742419 |
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Boomerang86
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| reply to Hall
said by Hall :I took our Accord to the dealer yesterday for an oil change and the service adviser of course has to see what "code" is on the dashboard, which happens to be "A2". For my car, that means check the air filter and change it every 15k if you drive in "dusty" conditions. That's what the manual says... According to him, the car knows the air filter is dirty and needs changed. Is he full of it ?... Of course they will say that, and if you're gullible enough you'll pay them for the privilege of doing a task that will take maybe five minutes of your time. Filter changes are simple affairs on Hondas; I too have a 2006 Accord. The manual says the change interval for the engine air and cabin dust filters is 30K miles under normal driving conditions. That light comes on automatically at a set mileage interval (about 6K for me) when the oil life indicator reaches 15% or so.
I buy some parts from hondaautomotiveparts.com, the online arm of Majestic Honda's parts department (they are in RI). Most of the time I still order at the dealership, since the shipping charge erases the 20% discount from ordering online.
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Hall
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Dayton, OH
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| Heh, I finally got around to changing the cabin filter... Even the instruction sheet that came with it says "Estimated installation time: 2 to 5 minutes". It still boggles me that the dealer quoted $95 !! They must buy the shop lunch on days that they get just (1) customer to fall for that one ! |
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fixrman
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| The good guys will actually take a shop vac and clean out the evaporator housing, especially on very dirty systems. The pollen this year has been exceptionally heavy, so more cleaning would be necessary. An A2 service doesn't mean replace the filter, but it should be checked. The recommendation is based upon "typical" conditions; your actual needs will vary.
The services are laid out pretty well in the manual, so there wasn't a need to ask the salesman advisor. |
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slyphoxj
join:2002-06-23
Brook Park, OH
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| reply to Hall
The dealer I got my '05 Accord from pulled the same crap when I asked about the cabin air filter. They wanted $89 to change it. I walked right over to the parts department, got the filter for ~$25 and changed it out myself. Wasn't too hard. Having to empty out the glove box is a bit annoying, and there's a bundle of wires that has to be moved out of the way (I have no idea what the wire goes to), but other than that, it was a breeze.
To go off topic a bit... they did get me for ~$350 for a coolant temp. sensor. Would that have been a hard thing to replace on mine? |
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Hall
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Dayton, OH
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| reply to fixrman
said by fixrman : The services are laid out pretty well in the manual, so there wasn't a need to ask the salesman advisor. Did you read my 1st post ? |
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Hall
Premium,MVM
join:2000-04-28
Dayton, OH | reply to slyphoxj
Yeah, it takes longer to get everything out of the glove box than the rest of the work. No wires in mine though... At least not one in the way. |
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slyphoxj
join:2002-06-23
Brook Park, OH
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| reply to Boomerang86
I changed out the engine air filter also myself, but it was a pain on my Accord ('05) compared to my last two cars. On the '03-07 Accord you have to use a screwdriver, and even after getting the screws loose, there's barely enough of a gap to squeeze it into.
My '97 Corolla used latches for the air filter housing. And my '86 Century used two wing nuts atop the ol' "frying pan" (with one missing ). No tools required for either car. |
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Doctor Olds
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1970 442 W30
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| said by slyphoxj :I changed out the engine air filter also myself, The OP is talking about the Cabin Air Filter behind the Glove Box, not the Engine Air Filter out under the hood.
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wierdo
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| reply to slyphoxj
said by slyphoxj :I changed out the engine air filter also myself, but it was a pain on my Accord ('05) compared to my last two cars. That seems to just be the way Honda does it (my '91 is the same way). It's still easy to change, especially if you have a cordless electric screwdriver. 
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It's wierdo, not weirdo. Yes, I know that's not the 'proper' spelling of the similar english language word. |
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fixrman
join:2003-02-10
Hatboro, PA
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| reply to Hall
I certainly did. Did you read my reply? If the car knew - and had you read and understood the manual - you would have known that the car doesn't "know" the filter is dirty.
Once again, the manual is written for most conditions. For you to need an air filter at 15,000 miles, you'd have to be near an area with almost daily visible dust, such as near construction sites, a quarry or a coal mine.
I was a rather poor advisor I guess at the Honda store where I worked. I would often walk out to the shop to view the conditions of the cars techs were working on. Perhaps I am odd, but I don't like selling people things they don't need or aren't worn out just because somebody wants something to do. It is a waste of resources and only reinforces the stereotypical view of dealerships. |
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