V70 Pollen Filter & Cruise Control Switch

[Jim314]

I changed the standard thin pollen filter on my wife's XC90 and found the filter in place had been 'scrunched' when changed last, which would presumably have been done at the dealer's in the course of normal servicing. Either that or it was done that way in the factory.

I found during insertion the new filter would catch and had to bend the filter to feed it straight. After I got it in, I slid it straight down to the floor as far as it would go without removing the top from the slot to see if I had crumpled it and I hadn't. I then carefully slid it back into the slot.

I had earlier replaced the cabin air filter in my 2004 V70 with standard thin filter (goes in the rearmost of the two slots). I did have a slight but irritating whistling and after a few months had a shop remove and reinsert the filter to see if I had mucked up the installation. They said they found no mistake in my job, but after that the whistling was gone.

I would think that insertion of the the thicker filter fitting in the frontmost slot (for the optional pollution sensing system) might be trickier, but don't know for sure.

[henrycrun]

So why are there 2 slots ?

I just replaced the existing filter (34mm thick) fitted at the front, the one which doesn't fit properly...

[Jim314]

Originally Posted by henrycrun

So why are there 2 slots ?

I just replaced the existing filter (34mm thick) fitted at the front, the one which doesn't fit properly...

The thicker filter contains activated charcoal which absorbs gaseous pollutants. The thinner filter only filters out particulate matter and all gases flow right through.

The thicker filter fits in the forwardmost of the two slots and is designed to work with the optional pollution sensing HVAC system. This system seems to be fitted in Europe much more than in the US. You can tell that you have the optional system if the 'RECIRC' button has two LEDs. The owner's manual will describe how to use this system. When the system is in the auto sensing mode, and it detects airborne gaseous pollutants, it automatically switches to recirc from outside air as long as pollution is detected.

Neither my 2004 V70 (manual HVAC controls) nor my wife's 2007 XC90 (automatic HVAC controls) has the optional pollution sensing system. Even so I had some trouble getting the filters in without scrunching them.

[Dynosaur]

Don't forget that cruise keys off the brake position sensor too (about £80) - but easy to change (remove circlip and pull outwards).

[henrycrun]

Just a note to say wait until daylight before changing filter. I had been trying to fit the thin filter into the thick slot as the previous owner also had it fitted in the wrong position...

There is actually a polarising pip and a cutout in the filter housing to encourage the correct fitting. A mirror in the footwell is a big help

[Peterjoseph]

is the filter "handed' shaving taken the old one out the replacement appears to be the opposite hand at the leading edge or can it be fitted the other way up