Why You Need to Replace Your Car’s Dirty Cabin Air Filter
How does the cabin air filter get dirty in the first place?
The cabin air filter, as its name might suggest, filters the air coming into your car's cabin. As air comes into the cabin, the cabin air filter sifts out any dust, pollen, smog, mold, and other junk to keep it from entering your vehicle. If dirty air is allowed to enter the cabin of your vehicle, the dirt, dust, and foreign particles can decrease the air quality in your car making it harder to breathe and even damaging your interior. Plus, if the filter gets too dirty, it can cause your A/C to work harder than it needs to, eventually causing damage to your heating and cooling system and requiring a much bigger repair.Read more about A/C maintenance and repair.
When should I have it replaced?
Usually, your mechanic will have this part on their radar and monitor it for replacement. Most filters need to be replaced between 15,000 to 25,000 miles, or about once a year. Mechanics know that replacing your car’s dirty cabin air filter can improve the air quality in your car. Plus, if the filter gets too dirty, it can cause your A/C to work harder than it needs to, eventually causing damage to your heating and cooling system and requiring a much bigger repair. If you don’t have a regular mechanic, you should check your driver’s manual to see the manufacturer’s recommended timeline for replacement; most filters need to be replaced between 15,000 to 25,000 miles, or about once a year. Because of its location, changing a cabin air filter is a difficult do-it-yourself project so it’s usually best to have it serviced by a trained mechanic.Read more: Maintaining Your Engine Air Filter And Why It’s Important