Do you hear a whistle sound coming from the cabin air intake ducts? Is the airflow weak, even when the heating or air conditioning is high? If so, it may be time to replace your cabin air filter. This small pleated filter is made of multi-fiber paper cotton or other engineering material and is usually located behind the glove compartment. It helps remove harmful contaminants, such as pollen and dust, from the air you breathe inside the car. If you notice that your car has an unpleasant odor or that airflow has decreased, it's time to consider replacing the cabin filter.
Before entering the passenger compartment, outside air is directed through this filter to trap contaminants inside the filter and prevent them from entering the interior of your vehicle. One of the first signs that you need to replace the air filter is weak ventilation airflow into the cabin. This may be due to buildup in the filter itself, which is common if you drive on dusty roads or live where there is a higher level of air pollutants, such as pollen. If the air conditioner blows weakly even with the highest fan setting, the filter may be clogged.
The main sign of a problem is smell. If there is a musty smell that you can't attribute to anything else, this could be a sign that the air filter is dirty or clogged in some way. Cabin air filters that are blocked or clogged do not allow air to pass easily, and that can cause a strange high-pitched groan behind the dashboard or even cause the air conditioning system to sound louder. According to Prokopenko, the air filter is “one of the most overlooked maintenance items in a car”.
If you are driving in heavily polluted areas or traveling on dirt roads, you should change your cabin air filter every 5,000 miles. Recommendations for when to replace a cabin air filter vary by manufacturer, with some saying every 12,000 or 15,000 miles, others more and frequency may depend on how much you drive and where. In your car's owner's manual, you can find mileage marks for recommended cabin air filter changes, although they vary by vehicle type and manufacturer. Learn more about quality cabin air filters, find your car part, or find where to buy your auto part today. But did you notice that your car also has cabin air filters that keep the air fresh for you? Without this ingenious car part, the cabin of your car would be filled with every harmful smell and smoke you encounter on your trip.
The cabin air filter, vital for cleaning the air inside the car, keeps the air inside the car fresh so that you and your passengers can breathe easy - something you'll appreciate all year round but especially during allergy season. There are some telltale signs that will indicate it's time to replace your vehicle's air filter. If you notice any of these signs - weak ventilation airflow into the cabin; musty smell; strange high-pitched groan behind dashboard; louder sounding AC - it's time to replace your cabin air filter. Some luxury brands charge more for their parts and require that you only buy cabin air filters of their brand, while others suggest that you can buy a generic cabin air filter at your local automotive store. The idea of having the cabin air filter is to protect the occupants of the car from particles and odors outside the car by the time they begin to seep into the vehicle; if not replaced regularly, it will lose its effectiveness.
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