Allergy Be Gone Newsletter - September, 2005

What is a car cabin air filter?

You may not realize that such a part exists in your car. But, no matter if you know it or not, a cabin air filter is an essential part of your car's ventilation system that removes pollutants from the air before they get inside the passenger compartment.

Why and how often should you change the cabin air filter?

Eventually, a cabin air filter starts to lose its effectiveness, as it gets dirty with use. This may result in unpleasant odor, and decreased heating and air conditioning performance caused by restricted airflow through the filter. Sometimes, the collected dust in the filter may get dislodged and enter the passenger compartment, making the air inside your car even worse. Thus, it is recommended to replace the cabin air filter at least once a year or every 12,000 to 15,000 miles - more often if your vehicle is operated primarily in areas of heavy pollution or dusty conditions.

Sometimes, when you start your car, an unpleasant smell appears, for no apparent reason. This is because your cabin air filter is outgasing, a common occurence for a filter that needs replacement. If you ever notice a musty smell in your vehicle, then you most likely need to change your cabin air filter.

Are cabin air filters difficult to replace?

Cabin air filters are typically located under a vehicle's dashboard or attached to the glove box. Others may be located in the engine compartment. In nearly all cases, cabin air filters can be changed in less than 10 minutes. To assist you with this, our website provides installation instructions for every cabin air filter that we have.