Driving a car is all excitement and fun until you have to get under the hood. There is so much going on that just a single glance can stress you out. While there are professionals out there to help you, there are a few things that you need to educate yourself about, at least about the super important components, such as a cabin air filter.

So, what does a cabin air filter do, and why is it so important? It is that component of your car that works to keep the contaminants and harmful irritants at bay. From microscopic dust particles to pollens, these filters remove all pollutants from the air that you are exposed to in the car. If you or your loved ones suffer from allergies or asthma, you need to make sure that this component of your car functions perfectly.

The Significance

The cabin air filter is part of a vehicle’s HVAC system that is responsible for filtering the air that enters the driver’s and passenger’s compartment. The quality of air that you breathe can affect your respiratory system and worsen the situation of already existing respiratory problems. It traps the pollutant, allergens, and all other external particles that may lower the quality of air inside a car.

If you think that the presence of an air filter for your car cabin is not that important and you can do without it, you need to rethink it. Things can get really bad if you plan to drive without one, especially if you have a sensitive respiratory system.

Who would want to turn the driving fun into a life-threatening experience, right?

The Location

Cabin air filters are an integral part of a car, and they ensure that passengers are exposed to clean air in the car. These filters are pleated units that are small and very difficult to locate. Commonly manufactured using engineered materials, they are usually located behind the glove box. In other cars, it is sometimes placed beneath the dashboard or under the hood.

The Need to Replace

Like all other auto parts, even this filter will need to be replaced at some point. Not getting it replaced will give rise to a myriad of problems for you. With time, dust and debris accumulate on this filter, and a time comes when this clogs the filter, after which it fails to function at its full potential.

When this happens, expect a drop in the performance of your car’s HVAC system, which, as a result, will reduce the air volume in the passenger compartment. Not to forget the issue of foul odors in your space that arises due to a dirty filter. Now, imagine a car with foul odors and a malfunctioning HVAC system; it is definitely not a pleasant place to be in!

It is due to this reason that experts recommend drivers to replace the cabin air filters every 12,000 miles. If you have to regularly drive in a heavily polluted area in St. Paul, you might have to schedule a filter change every 5,000 miles.

The Perfect Timing

The question is not whether to replace a cabin air filter or not; it is when to replace it. It is a question that many people struggle with. To know the right time of replacement, you need to look at the signs that indicate that a filter has stopped working. The signs that we are talking about include;

Reduction in Air Flow

When a cabin air filter begins to get clogged, you will experience a reduction in the airflow in the passenger’s compartment. A dirty filter fails to allow contaminant-free air to flow through it, which weakens the airflow. The AC blower motor might also get affected.

Funny & Odd Smells

Many drivers and passengers begin to feel funny and odd smells seeping into a car’s cabin from the vents. These odors and smells point directly towards a clogged or a dirty cabin air filter.

Decreased Fuel Mileage

Have your trips to the gas station become more frequent than usual, and are you experiencing a drop in your car’s fuel mileage? It is time that you get your car’s cabin air filter replaced. The overall fuel economy drops after these filters stop working.

Cabin air filters are critical for your health as they maintain the quality of air inside the car. With this guide, you can immediately get these filters changed if you are experiencing ‘the signs.’ You can even locate the filters and take the matters in your hand, but some things are better left for the professionals to handle. Instead of taking matters in your hand, you can take it to a professional auto repair service in St. Paul, MN.