{"id":63798,"date":"2023-09-14T10:00:43","date_gmt":"2023-09-14T09:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carmart.africa\/blog\/?p=63798"},"modified":"2023-09-14T10:00:43","modified_gmt":"2023-09-14T09:00:43","slug":"how-to-know-its-time-to-change-your-car-cabins-air-filter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carlots.ng\/motoring\/how-to-know-its-time-to-change-your-car-cabins-air-filter\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Know It\u2019s Time to Change Your Car Cabin’s Air Filter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Whether you\u2019re preparing your car for an event or simply doing regular maintenance, air filters<\/a> are rarely at the top of the car maintenance list. And when they are, it\u2019s usually the air filter in the engine.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, with relatively few exceptions, cars also have cabin air filters. And yours might need some changes that you haven\u2019t paid attention to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does the Car Cabin Air Filter Do?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cabin air filters, also called A\/C air filters, do the same job as the engine air filter. Namely, keep incoming air clean. Instead of filtering the air going into the engine, cabin air filters clean the air passengers breathe in. Dust, tire particulates, etc., all get trapped before it goes into your lungs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, as their name suggests, cabin air filters don\u2019t just clean up outside air. A\/C air filters are also part of your car\u2019s system. Whether you\u2019re running the heater or the A\/C, these filters remove airborne contaminants. That includes things like smoke from cigarettes and fires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naturally, cabin air filters can\u2019t remove every single contaminant. Some are better suited to removing particulates and odours, while others claim to remove viruses. It\u2019s largely a matter of how large the contaminant is and what the filter is made out of. However, it\u2019s worth pointing out that if you really want to sterilize your cabin air, you need a dedicated air purifier, which not every car has.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Happens if I Don\u2019t Change My Car\u2019s Cabin Air Filter?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As with an oil or fuel filter, a car\u2019s cabin air filter eventually clogs up and can\u2019t do its job properly. Luckily, there are several signs to watch out for. One of the most obvious is poor airflow. If the A\/C air filter is clogged, even if the fan\u2019s working, the cool air will struggle to come in. The HVAC system of your car may also make more noise, especially from the air vents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another sign of a failing cabin air filter is a musty odour that shows up when you try to run the fan. Mold can build up in your HVAC system, and a clogged filter is often the cause. There are a few more subtle signs that your A\/C air filter is in need of replacement. A clogging filter also lets more condensation build up on the windshield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do You Change This?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your cabin air filter\u2019s replacement interval is based on a number of factors. Besides your specific make and model, it also depends on where and how much you drive your car. A general rule of thumb is about every 12,000-15,000 miles or 1-2 years Cars.com<\/em><\/a> <\/em>report. And it\u2019s something that\u2019s easy to do by yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cabin air filters are typically located behind or around the glove box. Simply unscrew the glove box and you should be able to access the filter. The filter itself is very similar to the engine air filter, just larger. Once you have it exposed, just unscrew or release it, and put in a new filter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n