Cabin Air Filter Replacement ...wildfire smoke

[C.R. Rivian]

We've had a lot of smoke up here recently and I've driven through a bunch of it. I know some folks up here are checking/replacing their cabin air filters. Ours seems to be accessible via the frunk (illustration below from the manual says not to get it wet). Anybody have any information on replacement? This ought to be something that we can do ourselves. The manual ought to have instructions on doing it and filters ought to be available via the gear shop. Will send this to my guide as well, but maybe someone has already gotten the scoop on this. If so, please share.

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[Chilimac]

A somewhat related question - does anyone else smell windshield washer fluid every time you use it?

 

[connoisseurr]

A somewhat related question - does anyone else smell windshield washer fluid every time you use it?

Yes. It's very pungent, and you smell it if you don't have recirculation on, due to the location of the cabin air filter.

 

[NY_Rob]

Once you remove the fascia panel (which includes the intake grille) the filter is directly below.

 

[crashmtb]

Looks like it’s accessed from the cabin.

 

[timf]

One of the biggest things I miss from Tesla is the giant HEPA filter. You could never smell anything from outside in the cabin. Rivian's tiny filter is disappointing.

 

[NY_Rob]

Looks like it’s accessed from the cabin.

You have to remove the fascia cover by opening the Frunk,....

 

[crashmtb]

You have to remove the fascia cover by opening the Frunk,....

In the picture from the frunk, what appear to be channels it slides into are visible. To me it looks like it slides in from under the dash. The intake opening is not large enough to remove that filter, unless the duct comes out…which would be slow and awkward.

 

[aw113sgte]

In the picture from the frunk, what appear to be channels it slides into are visible. To me it looks like it slides in from under the dash. The intake opening is not large enough to remove that filter, unless the duct comes out…which would be slow and awkward.

The duct slide right out, it's very easy and quick to do, this give access to filter. Removing the cowl cover is the more painful part.

 

[crashmtb]

The duct slide right out, it's very easy and quick to do, this give access to filter. Removing the cowl cover is the more painful part.

Ah. Got it. Does the filter attach to the duct?

 

[C.R. Rivian]

One could, of course, get the filter out, measure it, and try to find which available filter would fit, but Rivian really ought to tell us something about what is in there and what should replace it...not that I expect that there is something special about it, just saying.

 

[jffkm]

i agree RE the tesla filters. they work really well for wildfire smoke (coming from bay area 2020 fire season). The downside of the hvac system in the tesla is the propensity to build up condensation though....that starts to smell like cheese and is inside the ducts. Still haven't figured out how to clean it out (service center says they smell nothing but it's so ridiculous...smells like the hvac system is filled with blue cheese but they are holding the line on that (and my persistent phantom drain issues with the m3d)). this looks like a secondary hepa can be installed with clips in that section but i don't know if the fan is rated for that CFM so it may cause other issues.

 

[mabowden]

i agree RE the tesla filters. they work really well for wildfire smoke (coming from bay area 2020 fire season). The downside of the hvac system in the tesla is the propensity to build up condensation though....that starts to smell like cheese and is inside the ducts. Still haven't figured out how to clean it out (service center says they smell nothing but it's so ridiculous...smells like the hvac system is filled with blue cheese but they are holding the line on that (and my persistent phantom drain issues with the m3d)). this looks like a secondary hepa can be installed with clips in that section but i don't know if the fan is rated for that CFM so it may cause other issues.

My coworker's tesla has the same problem. There are many work arounds on the forums to fix it, it's not that difficult, but yes on startup it always has a sour/mildew smell.

 

[ForeverOnTheWaitlist]

I could smell smoke inside our new R1S this past week. The NW is covered in smoke. Any hope of upgrading the Rivian filter to a higher MERV rated one ? A car in this price range should have high air quality.

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Not my video, but a quick search on YouTube:



Also, had a good laugh at the comment about wiper fluid. There have been entire threads dedicated to replicating the mixture and buying big drums of it from the O.E. manufacturer. Some people *really* like that smell. ?

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