Dirty Dust/Cabin Filters????
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
E500 AMG Sport
Dirty Dust/Cabin Filters????
As you all know, well, mosy of you, I purchased a 2003 E500 from a private owner. So buyer beware, I am tryin to see what was done to this car and what was not done. Car fax states select few things changed, so I am unaware if all things have been done. Well, o na search I decided to see about the cabin filters, and then realized there are also charcoal filters. I ordered a cabon filter for $26 dollars but not the charcoal filters. I examined them and they look brand new. But then again I would not know what brand new ones woiuld look like. Even the Dust filter looks newer.. does anyone have any pictures of what dirty Dust and Charcoal filters look like?
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 723
Likes: 32
From: Central Jersey
2003 E500, 2004 G35X
Thers is a switch for the charcoal filter on the dash. Unless the switch is on, the charcoal filter will not function. The previous owners probably did not use it often. I very seldom use it unless there is some odor I want to eliminate when it's too hot/cold outside to open the windows.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
The charcoal filter will still go bad if not used. I changed mine when the FSS called it out. We started to get a musty odor in the car. I changed the filters and with the duct open sprayed atomized lysol in the ducts about 5 yrs ago. No odor since.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
E500 AMG Sport
What do new charcoal filters look like? The ones looked brand spanking new and have no smell or odor to them
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 504
Likes: 49
W205, X253, C190, W213,
Thers is a switch for the charcoal filter on the dash. Unless the switch is on, the charcoal filter will not function. The previous owners probably did not use it often. I very seldom use it unless there is some odor I want to eliminate when it's too hot/cold outside to open the windows.
Are you talking about the recirculate switch? That does not draw air through the filter, it bypasses it. The charcoal filter is used to filter the outside air that's drawn into the air system.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
E500 AMG Sport
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,396
Likes: 38
From: Bay Area, CA
2007 SL55 AMG
There is a switch on vehicles produced prior to 05 that turns on the charcoal filter filtering the air that comes in from the outside (or inside if you have the recirculation button selected also) It was designed so that when you drive behind a bus spewing exhaust or encounter something smelly on the road, such as a dead skunk, you can turn it on and relieve the cabin from smelling.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 723
Likes: 32
From: Central Jersey
2003 E500, 2004 G35X
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
E500 AMG Sport
Sorry... this post has nothing to do about the cost... it has to do with the knowledge of what these filters look like new vs dirty. I didn't pick up any anxiety from anyone either. Besides a dust filter is 30 bucks... and the charcoal filters are about 100... to some it would make a difference.
