Spring is officially here! If you suffer from seasonal allergies, replacing your car's cabin air filter before the spring pollen hits is super important.
Your car’s ventilation system relies on this small filter to keep a steady stream of clean air flowing; so, while you can’t magically get rid of the pollen in the air, you can ensure that the air inside your car is clean by making sure your filter is in good shape.
What is a cabin air filter?
The cabin air filter is a small, pleated filter usually made of cotton or another engineered material. As air flows through your car's HVAC system, it's directed through this material to trap the contaminants—like dust, dirt, and pollen—and prevent them from entering the inside of your vehicle. In springtime, when a lot of those contaminants are floating in the air, this filter is put to the test.
How often do I need to change my cabin air filter?
Usually, your mechanic will have this part on their radar and monitor it for replacement. Replacing a dirty filter can improve the overall air quality in your car, which is critical when contaminants are (literally) flying around in the air. Plus, if the filter gets too dirty, it can also cause your A/C to work harder than it needs to once summer comes, eventually causing damage to your heating and cooling system and requiring a much bigger repair.
Is it time to change your cabin air filter? Read our recommendations.
At V&F
Keeping up with regular, recommended maintenance helps extend the life of your vehicle and prevents high-cost repairs in the future.
V&F Auto has been serving the Western Mass community since 1988. As a family-owned and operated business, we treat our customers like family. Our auto repair services are backed by an industry-leading 3-year / 36,000-mile warranty on parts and labor—and our team will go above and beyond to meet your needs. Call us at (413)314-2280 or schedule an appointment online.
Dirt, salt, and sediment can destroy your car's clear coat and paint over time. Once these layers are gone, your car’s metal components are prone to rust and erosion.
Experts say that washing your vehicle every few weeks can help to prevent dirt and sand from rubbing through the paint and eating away at the metal underneath. As the winter months come to a close, it's especially important to clean off the salt and sand that have accumulated on your car's undercarriage. In this article, we'll talk about why.
"I don't need a car wash—we have spring rain!"
Rain may wash away some of the salt but it leaves behind a damaging residue that will eat away at any layers of sealant, paint, and other metal. Plus, salt eats away at a car's exterior even faster in warmer temperatures. But, perhaps most importantly, the rain doesn't address the undercarriage of the vehicle.
Why It's So Important To Wash The Undercarriage Of Your Car
For your deep spring cleaning, it's important to pay special attention to the undercarriage of your vehicle. If you live in an area with lots of snow, like New England, road salt and chemical deposits that buildup on the underside of your vehicle will compromise its ability to protect against rust, especially if you let it sit through the spring. Frequent washing prevents these materials from sitting on your vehicle. Many automatic car washes offer undercarriage cleaning.
At V&F
While washing your car can be difficult in the winter, it's important to wash your car frequently through the spring before the warm, wet weather causes rust to set in.
If signs of decay are starting to show, it’s best to have your car inspected by a professional technician right away. At V&F, our expert mechanics use the latest diagnostic equipment, and high-quality CARQUEST auto parts, to make sure we get the job done right. Call us today at (413) 314-2280 or
schedule an appointment online.
