Car Air Quality

At Car Friend, we strive to provide exceptional service and ensure your vehicle’s optimal performance and comfort. Today, we want to highlight an essential component of your car’s heating and cooling system that often goes unnoticed—the cabin air filter.

Taking care of this filter not only helps maintain the air quality within your vehicle but also protects you and your passengers from harmful contaminants.

What Does the Cabin Air Filter Do?

The cabin air filter plays a crucial role in removing pollutants such as pollen and dust from the air circulating inside your car. By effectively cleaning the air that flows through your vehicle’s HVAC system, it creates a healthier and more pleasant environment for everyone on board.

If you’ve noticed unpleasant odours or reduced airflow, it might be time to consider replacing your cabin air filter and breathe in a breath of fresh air.

Understanding Your Cabin Air Filter:

The cabin air filter is a small pleated unit, typically made of engineered materials or paper-based, multifibre cotton. As air enters the interior of your car, it passes through this filter, capturing any contaminants and preventing them from reaching your lungs.

Why Is Replacing the Cabin Air Filter Important?

For those of you who suffer from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions, clean air becomes even more critical. According to AutoZone, both drivers and passengers deserve healthy, clean air while travelling. Regularly changing the cabin air filter is the best way to ensure your air is free from pollutants and maintain a fresh driving experience.

When and How Often Should You Replace the Filter?

Your car’s owner’s manual usually provides recommended mileage stamps for changing the cabin air filter. However, the frequency varies depending on your vehicle type and manufacturer. Some suggest replacing it every 15,000 miles, while others recommend doing so every 25,000-30,000 miles. To know precisely what your specific make and model require, we recommend reviewing the manual for accurate insights. Or give one of the team a call with your registration and we can tell you in seconds!

Factors such as your driving environment can also affect the filter’s lifespan. If you frequently drive in congested urban areas or places with poor air quality, you might need to replace the filter more frequently. Likewise, dusty desert climates may require more frequent changes due to clogging caused by dust particles.

Signs that Indicate Your Filter Needs Changing:

Keep an eye out for the following signs that your cabin air filter may need replacing:

• Reduced or weak airflow, even when the heat or air conditioner is set to high
• Whistling sound coming from the cabin air intake ducts
• Musty or unpleasant odours in the air inside your vehicle
• Excessive noise when the heating or cooling system is running

If you experience any of these signs, we highly recommend considering a filter replacement to potentially resolve the issue.

Replacing Your Cabin Air Filter:

In most cars, the cabin air filter is located behind the glove box. If accessible, you can remove the glovebox yourself by following the instructions in your owner’s manual. However, if the filter is beneath the dashboard or under the bonnet, it may not be as easy to get too.

If you prefer a do-it-yourself approach, purchasing a replacement filter can save you money. Dealerships often charge £50 or more for a single unit, whereas the average cost for a cabin air filter ranges between £15 and £25. Additionally, the labour cost for filter replacement is typically around £36-£46.

However, high-end vehicles may have more expensive parts, and their availability might be limited to dealerships.

During your vehicle’s servicing at our repair shop or any dealership, technicians may recommend a cabin air filter replacement. We suggest asking to see your current filter before agreeing to the replacement. If you find it covered in soot, dirt, leaves, twigs, or other debris, it confirms the importance of the replacement service. However, if your cabin air filter appears clean and debris-free, you can likely postpone the replacement for now.

The Benefits of Regular Filter Replacements:

Failing to replace a dirty, clogged filter can impact your car’s heating and cooling system’s efficiency. This can lead to various issues, such as a loss of air volume, unpleasant odours in the cabin, or premature failure of HVAC components. Simply replacing a dirty filter can make a significant difference in the overall air quality of your car.

Extra Steps to Maintain Air Quality:

To further enhance air quality and prevent allergens from settling in your car, consider the following additional steps:

• Regularly vacuum upholstery, carpeted floors, and mats.
• Wipe down surfaces, including door panels, steering wheel, console, and dashboard.
• Check the weather-stripping of doors and windows to ensure a proper seal.
• Clean up spills promptly to prevent mould growth.

The Importance of Clean Air for Your Health and Vehicle:

A clogged and dirty air filter can have adverse effects on both your health and your car’s performance. It can lead to allergies, respiratory issues, and a decline in air quality. By replacing your cabin air filter frequently, you can minimise these problems and ensure a comfortable driving experience. We recommend considering replacing the filter every year in February, just before the spring allergy season begins. But it’s never too late to get it changed, especially if you are one of the unlucky ones that suffer from seasonal allergies.

At Car Friend, we care about your well-being and want to provide you with a safe and enjoyable driving experience. We hope this information about cabin air filters has been useful. If you have any questions or need assistance with filter replacement or any other automotive services, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Thank you for choosing Car Friend as your trusted repair garage.

We appreciate your continued support!

Take Care & Drive Safe

Gem & The Car Friend Team

PS – Did you know you can book your service online now? Head over to our Service Page to see how easy it is!