Cabin Air Filters: Everything You Need To Know And More

There are many important components of your vehicle’s health that are obvious, such as an oil change or even a tire rotation or alignment. There are some, though, that while important, often get overlooked.

Take, for example, the air filter in your car. A cabin air filter is an important part of your car’s ventilation system and helps to filter the air that comes into your vehicle to protect you and your passengers from pollutants.

Much like your HVAC system in your home has an air filter that gets clogged overtime and needs to be replaced, so does the heat or air conditioner in your car. Overtime, it collects dirt, dust, and debris, and a clogged filter won’t protect passengers from the outside air and the pollutants it contains.

What Is a Cabin Air Filter and What Does It Do?

The cabin air filter is a part of your vehicle’s heat and air conditioner that helps keep the air quality in the cabin nice and clean. The cabin filter helps remove harmful pollutants, from pollen to dust and other allergens, from the cabin air.

The cabin air filter, much like the air filter in your home, air purifier, or even in some vacuums, is a small pleated unit that is frequently made of paper-based products, cotton-based products, or manufactured material.

Before you take a breath of the fresh, clean cabin air while you drive, the air moves through cabin air intake ducts and through the cabin air filter to collect and contain contaminants. As it removes allergens, harmful pollutants, and other airborne particles from the air, the engine air filter gets dirty.

A dirty filter means that the air quality inside the cabin gets worse and your and your vehicle’s heating and air conditioning is now letting more of those other pollutants into your cabin air.

Your cabin air filter is located behind the glove box in most vehicles, although there are some early-model vehicles that do not have cabin air filters. For some vehicles, however, the air filter can be harder to reach.

How Often Do Cabin Air Filters Need To Be Changed?

How frequently you need to change your cabin air filter depends on a few factors, including how clean you want your cabin air and where you live. If you live in heavily polluted areas - areas where the air is filled with smog, mold spores, allergens, pollutants, debris, and more, you are going to need to change your cabin air filter more frequently.

Every manufacturer will recommend different mileage stamps for how long you should go before you change your air filters, but a general recommendation is between 15,000 to 30,000 miles. Some even recommend you change your air filter at least once a year. Regardless, you can find specific recommendations for the frequency of this service in the Owner’s Manual of your vehicle.

Signs Your Air Filter Needs To Be Changed

There are a few ways to tell if it is time to change your engine air filter. Most obviously, if you notice bad odors when you run your vehicle’s ventilation system, or if the airflow has decreased. These could be signs that the air cabin filter is clogged or filled with pollutants.

Additionally, if you notice a haze in the cabin or start sneezing when you run the air in your vehicle, it is a sign to get a cabin air filter replacement. There are more signs to look out for listed in your owner’s manual, but some of them include:

• Weak airflow
• A whistling sound coming from the vents
• Unpleasant or musty odor
• Increased noise when the HVAC system is running

What Happens If I Don’t Change My Air Filter?

First and foremost, if you forgo replacing your cabin air filter when it is old or clogged, you will not have clean air in your cabin. For people who suffer from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions, this lack of clean air can negatively impact your health.

On top of that, failing to replace the cabin air filters in your car can negatively impact your car’s ability to heat and cool effectively, which can ultimately lead to other problems, such as a musty smell, decreased air volume, and even premature failure of the HVAC system.

A clogged cabin air filter doesn’t just let airborne particles in, either. The decreased efficacy of your heating and air conditioning can also mean that your vehicle is not as effective at clearing fog or condensation from the windows, which ultimately leads to decreased visibility.

How To Replace Your Cabin Air Filter

Cleaner air is not hard to achieve: all you need to do it get clean cabin air filters. Consider using a cabin air filter maintenance kit if you have a washable filter for a quick fix, but installing a new engine air filter isn’t difficult. You can do it yourself at home using your Owner’s Manual as a guide, or take it into the shop to have a professional do it for you. Here is a quick guide to how you can replace your cabin air filter yourself.

Prepare

First and foremost, if you want to change your filter yourself, park on a flat, dry surface and engage the parking brake. For some vehicles, you might need some tools like a screwdriver or socket set, but these are not required for many.

If you want extra protection from the dirty air filter, you can also wear gloves and a mask, or even put a cover down on your passenger-side floor mat. You will, of course, also need a new engine air filter from an auto parts store.

Access the Filter

Most engine air filters are located behind the glove box, so open or remove the glove box, depending on your vehicle. Some vehicles might require the tools at this point, while others simply involve pressing on a tab.

Replace the Old Cabin Air Filter

Remove the dirty cabin air filter and clear away any extra debris. Use a vacuum if necessary. Then replace the new cabin air filter, noting the direction of air flow and the indicated direction on the filter itself.

Reinstall the Glove Box

Once you have a new cabin air filter installed, simply replace the glove box, and you’re done!

Pair Your Service at Evan’s Volkswagen

If you’re not confident in changing your cabin air filters yourself, don’t fret. You can easily get a new filter installed at a service center like the one at Evans Volkswagen, or even pair an air filter replacement with other services like an oil change or tire rotation.

If you’re looking for a place to get service done, look no further than Evan’s Volkswagen. Visit our website or give us a call to schedule service today!