Cabin air filters are relatively new. Not all vehicles have them, so its common to confuse cabin air filters with the engine air filter. They are completely separate filters. It's easy to get mixed up.
Every vehicle has an engine air filter that cleans the air going into the engine, but not all vehicles have a cabin air filter that cleans the air going into the passenger compartment.
The cabin air filter cleans out dust, pollen, spores and other pollutants. To give a point of comparison, a grain of sand is about 200 microns across. A cabin air filter can stop particles that are just 3 microns in size. It really does make the vehicle passenger cabin a much more pleasant environment.
When the cabin air filter gets dirty, drivers just need to replace it. Your owner's manual may have a recommended interval for changing it. If not we can inspect it at Auto Select. You know, it's ironic that many people who don't realize they even have a cabin air filter, first find out they do, when it starts to get smelly inside the vehicle. Especially when running your AC in summer months.
Some vehicle cabin air filters are very easy to access when it's time to replace them. Others, not so much. Your friendly and knowledgeable Auto Select experts may have to get behind the dashboard, and it takes some time.
Here are a few signs that your filter needs changing:
- Reduced or weak airflow, even when the heat or air conditioner is set to high
- A whistling sound coming from the cabin air intake ducts
- Musty, unpleasant odors coming through the air in your vehicle
- Excessive noise when the heating or cooling system is running
A clean cabin air filter keeps out smog, allergens and other harmful pollutants. If it's time, get it changed on your next oil change or service.