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Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
Over time, the cabin filter can get clogged with dirt and debris, compromising the filter’s efficiency and the Vehicle’s HVAC system.
Since the cabin air filter is an essential component of your car’s ventilation system, maintaining it is critical to ensure the air conditioning system’s efficiency. The cabin filter can become dirty over time, and you must replace it to ensure proper ventilation. Continue reading the article to know how often to change the cabin air filter.
Short on Time – Here’s a Quick Summary
Most car manufacturers recommend replacing the cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. However, the number may vary depending on your car’s make and model. Consult your owner’s manual to ensure the correct time for the cabin filter replacement.
What is Cabin Air Filter?
A cabin air filter, in simple terms, cleans the air entering the vehicle’s cabin through the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system. It is critical to maintain the air quality by keeping it clean from airborne material, such as dust and pollen, that can cause several respiratory problems or allergies.
Keeping the cabin air filter clean is essential to get the best performance from your vehicle’s air conditioner and enjoy better air quality.
Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
Types of Cabin Air Filters
There are different cabin air filters, among which regular and carbon air filters are the most common. At the same time, the choice of a cabin filter depends on various factors, including the owner’s preference.
Since standard cabin and carbon air filters are used more commonly than others, we will discuss them in this section.
Regular Cabin Air Filter
The regular cabin air filter is the standard particulate filter consisting of a porous fibrous material for filtration. It traps 0.3 microns and larger particles, such as pollen, dust, and other debris. Also, this is the most basic type of filter that won’t remove ultra-fine particles that other filters might remove.
Carbon Cabin Air Filter
The carbon air filter is made with a filtration medium layered with activated carbon or charcoal. Its ability to absorb gasses and particles is comparatively higher than other cabin filters. Also, the chemicals in this filter enable charcoal to remove odors and fumes from the air.
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The carbon cabin filters are more efficient and can significantly remove gaseous pollutants and bacteria from the air.
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The table below compares the carbon filter and the particulate filter.
| Carbon Cabin Air Filter | Particulate Cabin Air Filter |
|---|
| Removes dust particles and absorbs harmful gasses | Removes basic particles and dust, and debris from the air |
| Removes odors from the cabin | Doesn’t remove odors from the cabin |
| Best for people with allergies | Not suitable for people with allergies |
| Well suited for highly polluted conditions | Not suitable for highly polluted conditions |
| Expensive than regular cabin filters | Cheaper than carbon filters |
How Often Should You Change the Cabin Air Filter?
Changing the filter in time affects the entire ventilation system and won’t operate effectively. While car manufacturers recommend changing the cabin air filter every 11,500 to 15,500 miles, other factors might make you change the cabin filter. Moreover, always consult your owner’s manual before making any decision related to your vehicle.
Regularly replacing the cabin air filter significantly reduces the pollution entering your vehicle’s interior.
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Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
Symptoms of a Faulty Cabin Air Filter
Here, we will discuss the five symptoms of a bad cabin filter. If you notice any of these signs, your cabin filter needs replacement.
- Poor Airflow from the Vents: One of the most common symptoms linked with a clogged cabin air filter is poor airflow from the cabin’s interior vents. It is a definite warning that your cabin filters may need repair or replacement.
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Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
A clogged cabin filter will not filter the air as affective;y as a clean cabin filter, resulting in restricted airflow and air blown with less force from the HVAC system.
- Unusual Odor: If you notice any strange or unusual odor coming from your car’s interior vents, a faulty cabin air filter is yet to blame. Dirty or clogged air filters produce a dirty, musty, or unpleasant smell that can become uncomfortable for car passengers. Clean or replace the cabin filters as soon as you notice any smell.
- Increased Fan Noises: While the vehicle’s air conditioning system is turned on, there should be a soft noise of the air escaping the AC vents. It indicates that your cabin filter and AC system are working well. However, if you notice increased fan noises, this might mean a failing filter.
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Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
Clogged cabin filters make it difficult for the air to pass while causing a lot of noise when the air passes.
- Foggy or Icy Windows: One of the functions of the cabin filters is to maintain the airflow within the vehicle and clear out fog settings on the windows. A faulty air filter will not work properly, resulting in weakened airflow. This can result in foggy or icy car windows since the cabin filter cannot remove the condensation from the windows.
- Problems in the Heating & Cooling System: The clogged cabin filters can reduce the airflow, reducing the HVAC system’s efficiency. Since this increases stress on the system, the capacity of the vehicle’s heating and cooling system can also be compromised, resulting in a blowout and reduced power.
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Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
Maintaining steady cabin air temperature can also become difficult due to clogged air filters, making the passengers uncomfortable.
Once, I was having problems with my car’s AC system. Whenever I used to turn on the AC in my Chevrolet, strange noises came, and the cabin was filled with a dusty odor. I first ignored these signs, but over time my AC stopped working. I thought the entire system had blown out. However, it wasn’t. And thankfully, as soon as I replaced the filters, the AC started working effectively.
How to Change the Cabin Filter?
You can change the air filters in less than 15 minutes. However, some may take a little longer than usual. Follow these steps to change the cabin air filters.
- Park the vehicle on a flat, dry surface, and ensure the parking brake.
- Locate the glove box and remove it to access the cabin filter.
- Remove the old filter. You might also need to vacuum the area to remove debris from the compartment.
- Install the new filter and ensure the airflow direction is accurate.
- Install the glove box again.
Final Words
Since this is important, every car owner should know how often to change the cabin air filters. Like all filters, cabin air filters also need to be cleaned or replaced. While the cabin filter is a simple car component, replacing faulty filters is essential to maintain the HVAC system.
Regardless of the fault of malfunctioning in the cabin air filter, car manufacturers recommend replacing the cabin filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles. Moreover, always consult your owner’s manual before making any choice.
FAQs
Cabin air filters usually last for around 15,000 miles or a year. However, if you find symptoms of a clogged cabin filter, including poor airflow, odor, etc., replace the filter right away.
All cabin filters are different. There are different cabin air filters, such as particulate filters and activated carbon filters. Carbon filters are considered better than regular filters, as they can remove dust particles and harmful gasses from the air entering through the vents.
Cabin air filters cost somewhere between $15 to $25, excluding the labor. As for the labor, you can expect to pay between $35-$50. However, replacing a cabin air filter will only cost you $100.
Unsurprisingly, a clogged cabin filter can affect your AC system. Since the AC strongly impacts the entire vehicle’s power, a faulty filter can impact its performance and cause the AC to require more force.
Believe it or not, a faulty or clogged filter can impact your fuel efficiency. Since the car engine has to put in more energy than usual to power the AC system, it will decrease your fuel efficiency. Therefore, changing the filter every 15,000 miles is a good idea. However, do consult your owner’s manual before doing so.
