Change Your Cabin Filters Regularly

When you think about the kinds of tasks you need to perform for regular vehicle maintenance, you probably think about things such as oil changes, tire maintenance, brake pad inspections, spark plug changes, oil filter changes and engine air filter changes. However, most people forget about the cabin air filter, and some don’t even realize that filter even exists.

Yes, you do have a cabin air filter, and yes, it does play an important role in your vehicle. For this reason, it’s important to give it some attention when you perform your routine vehicle maintenance and swap it out as needed to ensure your cabin gets fresh air flowing through it.

Here’s some information from our auto repair shop in Madison, TN about the function of a cabin air filter and how you know if you need to replace it.

What does your cabin air filter do?

The cabin air filter is typically located behind the glove compartment in your vehicle, or under the hood or dashboard. Its purpose is to filter the air that comes through the heating and air conditioning system in your vehicle before it reaches the cabin. Like other types of air filters, it prevents pollutants such as pollen, dust, mold spores, exhaust and smog from getting into the air you breathe. The result is less of a chance that people with seasonal allergies or respiratory conditions will be affected while they’re riding along in your vehicle.

The cabin air filter doesn’t just improve the air quality of your cabin, though that is perhaps its main function. It also helps to prevent the need for additional serious repairs of your HVAC system. If the air gets dirty, the air conditioning system will have to work harder to make up for the clogged filter, which puts an unnecessary strain on the HVAC system and could result in its components wearing down prematurely.

Replacing your cabin air filter

Like any other type of filter, your cabin air filter needs to be replaced on a regular basis. The owner’s manual for your vehicle will have more information about what the manufacturer recommends for frequency of cabin air filter replacement. As a general rule, mechanics suggest having the cabin air filter replaced every 15,000 to 30,000 miles, or once a year.

You can purchase cabin air filters yourself at auto shops, though you can also leave the job to a professional mechanic, which might be a better idea depending on where your filter is located. Filters that are behind the glove compartment, for example, require that the entire glove box be removed for the filter to be replaced.

If you’ve been noticing problems with air quality inside your vehicle or simply want to be proactive about changing your filters and staying on top of preventative maintenance, there’s no better time than the present to get your cabin air filter changed by the experts at Rivergate Muffler & Auto Repair. For more information about vehicle maintenance, contact our auto repair shop in Madison, TN.

Categorised in: Auto Repair Shop

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