Did you know that your car has an air filter specifically for the passenger cabin? That’s a surprise to a lot of car owners, but it shouldn’t be. Here’s what Route 20 Auto Essentials wants you to be aware of when it comes to your car’s cabin air filter.
The Cabin Air Filter Is a Secondary Filter
Most car owners know about one air filter, the main one that filters air that’s headed to the engine. But some of that air splits off and heads toward the passenger section. Before it ends up in the passenger area, however, that air goes through the cabin air filter. This filter ensures that the air you and your passengers are breathing is as clean as possible, without dirt, pollen, and other issues. You may not realize that your car has a cabin air filter, but all cars do and even more importantly, that filter needs changing.
The Cabin Air Filter Does Need to Be Changed
Like any air filter, the cabin air filter eventually gets too dirty to do its job anymore. That’s when it needs to be swapped out for a fresh filter. You might notice the first signs of trouble if the air in your car smells musty or stale, even when you turn the air conditioner on. Clogs in your cabin air filter mean that air can’t get through. And worse, if the cabin air filter is growing something, like mold, that can get into the passenger compartment. Your car’s owner’s manual lets you know roughly how often you should change out your cabin filter, but it’s likely something you should do annually.
Extending the Life of Your Cabin Air Filter
Can you do anything to help your cabin air filter to last as long as possible? You definitely can. Learn where the filter is so that you can check on it periodically. This enables you to see whether it’s getting dirty a lot faster than expected so you can change it out sooner if you have to. Also, keeping the interior of your car as clean as possible, like vacuuming the upholstery and carpet regularly, helps to reduce the dust and dirt that recirculates through the filter.
It isn’t always easy to get to the cabin air filter. In fact, many car owners skip this entirely simply because of how difficult it can be. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Route 20 Auto Essentials in Ashtabula, OH is happy to help you with this and any other car service needs.