The cabin air filter in a vehicle removes harmful pollutants, such as pollen and dust, from the air circulating in the car. It is also essential in helping protect passengers from contaminants in the air. This filter is often located behind the glovebox and cleans the air as it moves through the HVAC system of your car. If your vehicle has a noticeably unpleasant odor or you notice a decrease in the airflow, you should definitely consider replacing the cabin filter. We recommend doing this yearly.
The filter is a small pleated unit, often made of an engineered material or paper-based, multifiber cotton. Before air can move into the interior of the car, it goes through this filter. The filter works by trapping any contaminants within the air to prevent them from infiltrating the air you breathe.
Most vehicles will contain cabin air filters to catch harmful airborne material. This will ensure that your car rides will be pleasant throughout the year. If you suffer from allergies, asthma, or other conditions that affect your respiratory health, the cleanliness of the air you breathe is especially important. Whether you’re behind the wheel or riding as a passenger in a vehicle, you deserve healthy, clean air to breathe.
On the other hand, a clogged, dirty air filter can cause more issues inside your car. A major one being a decline in your health. As pollutants move through the air, they can cause an allergic reaction or other breathing problems. A dirty filter won’t be able to do its job properly and filter out any harmful substances. This is why it’s important to replace the filter in your car frequently. Consider replacing it every year in February before the spring allergy season begins.
We have an example of an old filter that we pulled out of a car recently, and you can see firsthand how much material can get caught in one. This further stresses our recommendation of a yearly filter inspection.
Another problem that follows a clogged filter is poor HVAC efficiency. A result of this is a less efficient heating and cooling system, which means your car’s heating and cooling system has to work harder. This can potentially lead to the blower motor burning out. Poor efficiency also leads to a loss of airflow, making your car feel less comfortable as the seasons change.
Weakened airflow also negatively impacts the system’s ability to clear fog or condensation from the car’s windows. Dirty air can help cause condensation to build upon the windshield, making it harder to see the road ahead of you. By replacing the filter, you should notice that the windows are clearer, and visibility is better.
Contact us to schedule an inspection and make sure your cabin has excellent air quality.
