Located in most vehicles behind the glove compartment, the cabin air filter is responsible for filtering air entering the vehicle's cabin through the heating and air conditioning system. A vehicle's cabin air filter helps remove harmful contaminants, such as pollen and dust, from the air you breathe inside the car. This filter is usually located behind the glove compartment and cleans the air as it moves through the vehicle's HVAC system. If you notice that your car has an unpleasant odor or that airflow has decreased, consider replacing the cabin filter to give the system and yourself a breath of fresh air. The cabin air filter, a feature found in most late-model vehicles, cleans air entering the interior through the HVAC system.
It traps dust, pollen, and other airborne materials that can make traveling in a car unpleasant, especially if you have allergies or other respiratory problems. The cabin air filter prevents dust, dirt, pollen, bacteria and exhaust fumes from entering your car's HVAC system. It also prevents insects, leaves and other debris from clogging the system. The cabin air filter is vital for cleaning the air inside the car, keeping it fresh so that you and your passengers can breathe easy. This is something you'll appreciate all year round, but especially during allergy season.
There is a second air filter in your vehicle: the engine air filter. A cabin air filter mimics the construction of the engine air filter, but it actually performs a very different job. The cabin air filter is placed in the mouth of the heater box to treat air entering the passenger compartment. This filter removes dust, soot, pollen and other environmental allergens to continuously provide fresh, clean air to the cabin space. You should replace this filter regularly, as the element becomes filled with particles and becomes much less effective.
Dirty cabin air filters not only lower the efficiency of your heating and air conditioning system, they also allow allergens to infiltrate the airspace. A dirty filter can't do its job properly and filter out contaminants, so it's important to replace your car filter frequently. If you've seen an old car with its engine sputtering and ejecting black smoke, it could be due to a dirty engine air filter. When this filter remains unobstructed and well-maintained, you can ensure that only clean air reaches the interior of the engine. Long before a new car starts emitting smoke, the engine check light will come on because the air cleaner has passed its peak. The best way to ensure that the air is clean is to change the cabin air filter as often as recommended by the car manufacturer.
The air cleaner is located inside a sealed box, in the engine compartment, to ensure that only clean air enters into it. 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. Many cabin air filters are located behind the glove box and can be easily accessed by releasing the glove box from its fasteners; instructions should be in the car owner's manual. Without a clean air filter in place, your vehicle's engine could suffer damage or decrease its efficiency, as dirt particles prevent complete combustion. So make sure to replace your car's cabin air filter regularly to keep your car running smoothly and efficiently while providing clean and fresh air for you and your passengers.