Whether you’re preparing your car for an event or simply doing regular maintenance, air filters are rarely at the top of the car maintenance list. And when they are, it’s usually the air filter in the engine.
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However, with relatively few exceptions, cars also have cabin air filters. And yours might need some changes that you haven’t paid attention to.
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What Does the Car Cabin Air Filter Do?
Cabin air filters, also called A/C air filters, do the same job as the engine air filter. Namely, keep incoming air clean. Instead of filtering the air going into the engine, cabin air filters clean the air passengers breathe in. Dust, tire particulates, etc., all get trapped before it goes into your lungs.
However, as their name suggests, cabin air filters don’t just clean up outside air. A/C air filters are also part of your car’s system. Whether you’re running the heater or the A/C, these filters remove airborne contaminants. That includes things like smoke from cigarettes and fires.
Naturally, cabin air filters can’t remove every single contaminant. Some are better suited to removing particulates and odours, while others claim to remove viruses. It’s largely a matter of how large the contaminant is and what the filter is made out of. However, it’s worth pointing out that if you really want to sterilize your cabin air, you need a dedicated air purifier, which not every car has.
What Happens if I Don’t Change My Car’s Cabin Air Filter?
As with an oil or fuel filter, a car’s cabin air filter eventually clogs up and can’t do its job properly. Luckily, there are several signs to watch out for. One of the most obvious is poor airflow. If the A/C air filter is clogged, even if the fan’s working, the cool air will struggle to come in. The HVAC system of your car may also make more noise, especially from the air vents.
Another sign of a failing cabin air filter is a musty odour that shows up when you try to run the fan. Mold can build up in your HVAC system, and a clogged filter is often the cause. There are a few more subtle signs that your A/C air filter is in need of replacement. A clogging filter also lets more condensation build up on the windshield.
How Do You Change This?
Your cabin air filter’s replacement interval is based on a number of factors. Besides your specific make and model, it also depends on where and how much you drive your car. A general rule of thumb is about every 12,000-15,000 miles or 1-2 years Cars.com report. And it’s something that’s easy to do by yourself.
Cabin air filters are typically located behind or around the glove box. Simply unscrew the glove box and you should be able to access the filter. The filter itself is very similar to the engine air filter, just larger. Once you have it exposed, just unscrew or release it, and put in a new filter.
It’s also important to note that not every car on the road has a cabin air filter. The vast majority do. So, if your car’s an older model, and you can’t find its A/C air filter, know that it may not have one.
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