Wildfire Smoke Cabin Filter

[terrapin]

The smoke here is getting bad. Has anyone tried any cabin filters that will remove smoke particles (PM2.5)?

Google suggests a HEPA cabin filter, but the one that they recommend, PureFlow PC5667HX, doesn't specifically mention smoke or PM2.5. Amazon also sells small USB powered filters that can even fit in your cup holder but I'm not sure if they are a gimmick.

 

[40Man]

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/hepa/filters/cabin-air-filter/b28b1d2448a2/microgard-hepa-cabin-air-filter/mgdb/3686hp/v/a/137044/automotive-suv-2016-toyota-land-cruiser?q=cabin+air+filter

HEPA for particulate and carbon to pull in contaminates from all the insulation, plastics and other toxic chemicals that burn. Definitely won't absorb everything, but anything helps.

I run carbon/hepa filters in my home as well as a 20x20 Merv 13 filter behind a box fan in my house. Car has a carbon hepa filter too.

 

[vwynn]

Rockauto sells the hepa filter from wix, mahn, etc. Ive been curious if the drop in airflow is worth the filtration.

 

[gasman4u]

The better filter element should help, but you’re going to get blow by smoke anyways as our rigs aren’t as “air tight” as some others.

Tesla iirc has a massive cabin air filter element that’d be ideal for this use case. Aside from purpose built vehicles, you’re going to have the smoke smell on some level in your cabin whether or not you use the best recirc/filter settings the 200 has.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

We have had a few weeks of insane wildfire smoke around here. AQI of over 1100 a few nights ago. (I've got 5 air purifiers running inside the house!)

The Wix 24511 in my LX is two years old and is still working great. I drove through heavy smoke several times in the last week and smelled zero smoke in the cabin. Just ordered another one because it's well past time to replace it.

 

[vwynn]

We have had a few weeks of insane wildfire smoke around here. AQI of over 1100 a few nights ago. (I've got 5 air purifiers running inside the house!)

The Wix 24511 in my LX is two years old and is still working great. I drove through heavy smoke several times in the last week and smelled zero smoke in the cabin. Just ordered another one because it's well past time to replace it.

I just noticed the Hengst... Wonder if Biofunctional is any good???

 

[terrapin]

We have had a few weeks of insane wildfire smoke around here. AQI of over 1100 a few nights ago. (I've got 5 air purifiers running inside the house!)

Wow, that's insane. Our levels are nowhere near that, but it's still causing problems.

I needed one right away so I ordered the PureFlow PC5667HX from Amazon. I wanted a HEPA filter and I don't believe that the ones listed above are HEPA.

I also noticed that none of the various HEPA filters that I found specifically mentioned smoke or PM2.5 on the box or website, but anecdotal user reviews suggest that they do work. Some folks have actually measured the results. I'm a little concerned about the loss of airflow and possible strain on the AC. I'm taking a road trip soon and plan on bringing my old filter with me just in case.

 

[gasman4u]

Wow, that's insane. Our levels are nowhere near that, but it's still causing problems.

I needed one right away so I ordered the PureFlow PC5667HX from Amazon. I wanted a HEPA filter and I don't believe that the ones listed above are HEPA.

I also noticed that none of the various HEPA filters that I found specifically mentioned smoke or PM2.5 on the box or website, but anecdotal user reviews suggest that they do work. Some folks have actually measured the results. I'm a little concerned about the loss of airflow and possible strain on the AC. I'm taking a road trip soon and plan on bringing my old filter with me just in case.

You’re going to get blow by regardless. As great as our 200s are, a hospital/lab they are not.

If you still get a smell, try an active charcoal variant.

HTH.

 

[terrapin]

I might even try this button out.

 

[40Man]

I'll just reiterate, while PM2.5 is a massive health threat in wildfire smoke, the gas phase toxic chemicals like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, and benzene—pose a distinct hazard that standard HEPA filters miss. True protection requires heavy-duty activated carbon filtration alongside particle control. Even the charcoal car cab filters will stop absorbing after a few days with lots of smoke.

And most home filters also have very small sheets of carbon protection.

The air quality index in a home is roughly half what the outside AQI is.

When you think of all the chemicals (bug sprays, weed killer, auto paints, wiring, etc., you get a glimpse of the chemicals being released. A HEPA filter is the first defense, as small particles are carriers for chemicals, and those small particulates get into your bloodstream.

There are quality usb powered personal filters you can run in your car during fire season if you want better protection.

More importantly, run home filters with large charcoal elements. At least 5 lbs, but up to 26 is easily attainable (Airpura is the go to brand). More expensive, but totally worth it IMO.

 

[TeCKis300]

Love the cruiser, but filtering capability to HEPA levels is not one of its capabilities. Not even worth trying with the limited surface area and poor sealing around the filter and holder. Find a decent filter with activated charcoal and change it frequently is about the best you can do.

This is where Tesla vehicles make others look like a joke. Massive filters (10X surface are) by comparison.

 

[terrapin]

I left town for a few weeks and fortunately most of the smoke had dissipated so I wasn't really able to test the HEPA filter for smoke filtration.

I did, however, switch back to the original cabin filter and noticed a significant difference in the airflow. I'd say maybe 20% less with the HEPA.

Not exactly scientific, but I could definitely feel the difference. This is with the fan set on high.

Stock cabin Filter

HEPA cabin filter

 

[gasman4u]

I left town for a few weeks and fortunately most of the smoke had dissipated so I wasn't really able to test the HEPA filter for smoke filtration.

I did, however, switch back to the original cabin filter and noticed a significant difference in the airflow. I'd say maybe 20% less with the HEPA.

Not exactly scientific, but I could definitely feel the difference. This is with the fan set on high.

Stock cabin Filter
View attachment 4206107

HEPA cabin filter
View attachment 4206108

If you want to get all “science-y” they have small fans that measure wind speed you could potentially run to get numbers vs the string. You can still tell a difference, but you’d have an objective measure instead. Thanks for following up.