Because a cabin air filter doesn’t directly affect whether your car gets from point A to point B, you should keep getting a new one and not get one at all. Changing your cabin air filter is essential as part of regular car care. If you don’t do it, you could be uncomfortable. Because of this, you should change your car air filter often.
| Dangers | Description |
| Health troubles | Pollutants affect allergy sufferers and breathing. |
| HVAC system issues | Reduced airflow, motor strain, poor temperature control. |
| Poor window clearing | Reduced airflow leads to slower fog clearing. |
| Foul odors | A dirty filter causes a musty smell from vents. |
What Is A Cabin Air Filter?
You should keep the air filter in your cabin separate from the air filter in your engine, even though they do similar things. The engine air filter ensures that only clean air gets to the engine. On the other hand, the cabin air filter keeps unwanted stuff like smoke, smog, pollen, mold spores, and exhaust gases from getting into the car’s cabin through the HVAC system. Other things, like bugs, rat droppings, and leaves, can’t get in either.
Often, cabin air filters are square or oblong and are made of paper and other flexible materials. They have pockets to help catch the dirt better. Garbage in the cabin air filter stops it from entering the car when air flows over it. Over time, dirt and grime build-up, and the filter must be changed to keep working well.
What Happens If The Air Filter In Your Car Is Dirty?
There are many risks if you change your car’s air filter infrequently. Here are some terrible things that can happen if your car’s air filter is dirty.
Health Problems:
Having a cabin air filter that works is essential for keeping the inside of your car clean. Those contaminants won’t be filtered if the cabin air filter is dirty or jammed. This can be bad for people with allergies or breathing problems. Generally, you should change your cabin air filter every February before allergy season starts in the spring if you live in a tree-filled area. After installing a new cabin air filter, pollen will not be able to get into a car and make the people inside sneeze or even worse.
The HVAC System Will Function Poorly:
Leaving an old cabin air filter in your car will make the HVAC system work harder, which can damage the motor. If the cabin air screens are dirty or clogged, less air will move from the vents. That changes the air temperature inside the cabin, which relies on a steady flow of air going through the heater core, evaporator, or both. Your HVAC system must work harder if you keep the cabin air filter the same.
Poor Window Fog Removal:
When airflow is limited, windows will clear slowly, which is another problem. Also, fog can form on the window because the air quality isn’t as good when the car air filter is past its due date. There will be less fog on the window after changing the cabin air filter.
Bad Odors:
No, that awful smell coming from your vents isn’t from something you just drove by. You still need to change your car’s air filter, which is the cause. When the air conditioning is on, car air filters that are dirty or too clogged can give off a musty, dusty smell. If you change your car air filter regularly, your guests won’t have to open their windows in the middle of winter to get some fresh air.
Do You Need To Update The Cabin Air Filter?
What would you say is a good rule of thumb? Manufacturers usually say to change it every 12,000 to 30,000 miles, but this can vary from car to car. If you live in an area with a lot of pollution or drive on a dirty road that makes a lot of dust, you should get a new one even sooner. Anyone with allergies or a weak breathing system should get a new one after just 5,000 miles.
What Happens If You Don’t Upgrade Your Car’s Air Filter?
The air filter in your car doesn’t give you any signs that it’s not working right. But the air filter must be checked often to keep the vehicle’s inside healthy.
What You Can Look For Is This:
- People in the cabin are having trouble moving
- Less air moving through the system
- HVAC system performance drops
- A foul smell and a strange sound came from the air intake ducts in the car’s cabin.
How Much Does A New Car Air Filter Cost?
You can independently change your car’s air filter if you can handle it. Most are hidden behind the glove box, under the dashboard, or on the hood of newer cars. Getting to the cabin air filter is easy, but be careful not to break any clips or pins that hold it in place. Most cabin air filters cost between $15 and $50. That way, you can save up to $50 on work costs if you can do it yourself.
Conclusion
It would help to remember your car’s air cleaner because you can’t see it. You can make sure that the air in the passenger area of your vehicle is primarily free of pollutants by changing it regularly. That should make it much easier for you to breathe.
FAQs
How Often Should I Replace My Cabin Air Filter?
Most makers say to replace them every 12,000 to 30,000 miles, but allergies and how you drive may mean you need to do it more often.
What Are The Signs That My Cabin Air Filter Needs Replacing?
Less airflow, bad smells, trouble breathing, worsening HVAC performance, and strange sounds coming from the interior air entry ducts are all signs.
Can I Replace My Cabin Air Filter Myself?
Yes, you can change your car’s air filter most of the time. In general, filters cost between $15 and $50, and they’re easy to find and replace, which could save money on work costs.