Do you suffer from allergies or asthma and experience a flare up of your symptoms while driving your vehicle? If so, it may be time to change your vehicle cabin air filter. The cabin air filter is an important filtration component that works to purify the air that you and your passengers breathe while inside your vehicle.
In this blog, we look at the job of your cabin air filter and what to look for if it needs to be replaced.
The Cabin Air Filter Keeps Your Vehicle Air Clean
Your vehicle is equipped with a variety of filters, including the cabin air filter. This filter serves one single purpose – to eliminate contaminants that may enter and circulate inside your vehicle such as pollen, dust, dirt, exhaust and engine fumes. Without a cabin air filter, you and your passengers would breathe air directly from outside and from your engine that is entering into your cooling and heating system.
The cabin air filter is comprised of manufactured material or paper and looks somewhat similar to air filters you may use in your home’s HVAC system. The filter traps these contaminants to prevent them from entering through your air vents.
Air Filters Can Become Dirty and Clogged
Over time, the cabin air filter can become dirty or clogged, especially if you tend to drive often on dirt roads or in a commonly dusty climate.
When a filter becomes clogged or too dirty, you may experience these symptoms:
- Less flow of air from the vent when running the heating or cooling functions
- Smells emitted from the vents during operation
- A whistling sound when the air or heat is running that is coming from the vent
When Should a Filter Be Replaced?
The standard lifespan of a cabin air filter is about 15,000 – 30,000 miles. Again, this is highly dependent on the amount of driving in conditions that may contribute to more dust, dirt, or pollen. If your vehicle is susceptible to more dust, dirt or pollen it may require more frequent changing.
In newer vehicles, manufacturers have made it easier to access and replace the filters where it may be located behind the glove box. Consult with your owner’s manual for the exact location of your cabin air filter on the year, make, and model of your vehicle.
If you think that your cabin air filter is ready for a change, contact us today to schedule an inspection. We will check your filter and replace it if it is dirty or clogged.
Remember, the air that you breathe in your vehicle is only as good as the air filtration. With spring around the corner, don’t let a dirty or clogged filter aggravate your allergies or asthma symptoms.