During the last years, air purifiers have become common household appliances, not only thanks to COVID-19[feminine] and smoke from forest fires, but also a better understanding of the pollution in the air we breathe. In addition to the air quality inside our homewe should also think about what we breathe when we are indoors our cars.
This raises a question: when was the last time you (or a professional) changed your car’s cabin air filter? Here’s what to know about this process, including How to replace cabin air filtersand how long they typically last.
How long do cabin air filters last?
In most cases, cabin air filters are designed to last between 12,000 and 30,000 miles. But if you live in an industrial area with a lot of air pollution, or somewhere with regular wildfires, you may need to replace it on a yearly basis, or even more frequently.
Signs that your cabin air filter needs to be replaced
So, while mileage isn’t always an accurate way to determine when to replace your cabin air filter, how do you know when it’s time? According Jonathon Klein of The Drivehere are some of the usual signs:
- You can Easily sense what’s outside your car (farms, factories, skunks, etc.)including when the air inside the car is recycled
- The airflow coming out of your vents is weak, even when set to the highest level
- Looks like air is having trouble getting through the car’s HVAC system and out the vent, or the vent itself is blocked
- You may see smoke or other particles coming through the vents
How to replace your car’s cabin air filter
Even though you typically take your car to the dealership for routine maintenance like oil changes or tire rotations, this is a situation where in most cases it doesn’t make sense to pay inflated dealer fees— which can range from approximately $40 to $130– for something you can do yourself in minutes.
G/O Media may receive a commission
A gift for literally everyone.
Gifts under $20, $10 and even $5. This is Wish, the one-stop shop for all of the above.
The tools you need and the process involved depends on the type of vehicle you have, so your best bet is to start by consulting your owner’s manual to find out where your cabin air filter is and how to change it.
Most often, the cabin air filter is located behind the glove box, although it can also be found at the base of the windshield, under the hood.
Behind the glove box
In some vehicles, you press a tab on each side of the glove box, which drops it, allowing you to access the cabin air filter. From there you remove the old filter, slide in the new one and put your glove box back in place. The end.
In other vehicles, you may need remove the glove box door to access the cabin air filter. In this case, use a flathead screwdriver or Torx/Hex wrench (depending on what is stated in your owner’s manual) to remove the glove box door. This should give you access to the air filter. Then it’s a matter of taking the old filter out, put the new one on, and finally put the glove box door back in place.
under the hood
First, start the car, turn the wipers on, then turn the car off when the wipers are positioned so that they are pointing skyward. Then open the hood. Well let Klein takes it from here:
- Remove the washer hose from the clips on the plastic cover near the base of the windshield.
- Remove the hood weatherstrip.
- Remove the plastic cover (you may need a flathead screwdriver).
- Remove the cabin air filter.
- Replace it with the new cabin air filter.
- Reinstall the plastic cover, hood weatherstrip, and windshield washer hose.
- Close the cover.
It’s a simple task and worth it: your car’s HVAC system will work better and, more importantly, you’ll breathe cleaner air.
#change #cabin #air #filter #car