5 Signs Of A Clogged Cabin Air Filter
Only a few people talk about cabin air filters, but this should be changed as part of the recommended maintenance plan. If you don’t change regularly according to your schedule, it’s best to know about the bad symptoms of your cabin air filter.
If you pay close attention to it, you know when this part needs to be replaced. This simple task will quickly improve the air quality inside the cabin.
This guide covers the symptoms of a bad cabin air filter and discusses its purpose. We’ll also show you how to see where it is and swap it before answering your number one question.
Bad cabin air filter symptoms
If the cabin air filter is blocked and contaminated, it smells strange from the ventilation slot, reducing airflow. It also causes icy and foggy windows, increased fan noise, allergic symptoms, and heating and air conditioning problems. If it is not repaired, further damage may occur.
1. Bad smell from the vehicle’s ventilation slot
If your car suddenly smells like a fitness locker or sweaty socks, there may be a problem with the filter. It can also cause mold and moldy odors.
If the filter is contaminated, a musty smell will flow through the ventilation slot. Increased airflow causes a stronger smell. The smell can be bad enough to stop you from driving in the car. Even if you take steps to remove odors from your car, the effort will be wasted until you replace the cabin air filter. Even after being replaced, it may take some time for the smell to disperse.
2. Air flow from the ventilation slot is poor
This can be the next symptom you will notice along with the smell. If the filter is blocked, the air will not be able to run freely. Raising the system up also reduces airflow.
This restricted flow not only has less air, but can put a huge strain on climate control systems. If you continue to use this in this way, this can lead to other repairs for other failures that are more expensive.
3. Fog or ice windows
Some of the things that cabin air filters use are maintenance of proper airflow for the vehicle. This airflow is necessary when the windows become mist. Without them, there is less chance of removing windows, obstructing your vision.
If you cannot use the defrost system, or if you don’t blow it hard enough, you can wipe the condensation yourself. However, this is a difficult task when driving. If you can’t see through the window, there is a higher risk of an accident. If the cabin air filter is old and dirty, moisture will also be collected, causing misty or icy windows when the car is parked.
4. Increased fan noise
When driving, you are used to hearing the weak totals of the AC system. You know what sounds normal, so you need to warn it as it gets bigger. All the strange sounds should be taken into consideration immediately, especially since they can be bigger than the wrong filter. However, if the filters are at fault, the system is permeated by large particles. If these particles clog the filter upwards, air cannot pass through and produce more sounds.
5. Heating or cooling system issues
If airflow decreases, it is impossible for the heating and cooling system to do the work. It is difficult to keep your cabin cold on a hot summer day. The same applies when it’s cold outside. Attempts to achieve warm cabins with limited airflow are difficult.
The system may bear additional burdens on AC and heating. You can do more damage if you don’t change the filter right away.
6. Allergic symptoms
One of the purposes of cabin air filters is to reduce cabin contamination.
- If the filter is blocked, there is no further reduction in contamination and allergens.
- If you’re someone who has to deal with allergies, you’ll notice the difference.
- If the filter is dirty, it can cause difficulty breathing. Normally, even if you don’t have to struggle with these issues, allergens can be plagued by small rooms. Cabin air filter function
According to the American Lung Association, vehicle air often contains different types of pollutants. These contaminants include:
>>>Traffic Emissions: Air pollution rises from outside the atmosphere to the vehicle. Pass through open windows and ventilation slots. Exhaust gas vapor contains dangerous contaminants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide, particles, and nitrogen oxides.
>>>Internal Contaminants: Cabins have contaminants from materials such as adhesives, lubricants, plastics and more. Carcinogens also develop carcinogens as age increases such as formaldehyde and benzene. Moisture in the vehicle can lead to mold growth.
>>>Residents: Any person entering the vehicle can also bring in contaminants. Chemicals used in personal care products pass through the cabin. If the passenger is a smoker, these contaminants are also present in the vehicle.
The main purpose of cabin air filters is to reduce these contaminants in the vehicle. Filters can reduce allergens including pollen and dirt. These contaminants are not broadcast through car openings, they are in filter media.
Car filters work similarly to home-HLK systems. When the air crosses, running pollution begins. However, just like with household filters, they need to be changed frequently.
Cabin air filter replacement interval
Each vehicle has a different maintenance plan. Therefore, it is important to find the owner’s manual to get a better answer. However, most manufacturers recommend changing your cabin air filter from 15,000 to 30,000 miles or annually.
If you pull out the filter and it appears he’s stuck before, change it. When it comes to costs, it only makes sense to have a fresh cabin air filter in your vehicle. Where is the cabin air filter?
In most cars, the cabin air filter is located behind the glove compartment or under the windshield. You can check the owner’s manual to find out where and how to delete it. You should not need anything but a screwdriver to remove the cabin air filter.
Don’t forget that some vehicles have several air filters. This configuration is often seen in high-end models.
On most vehicles, this is the procedure to change the filter.
1) Find the cabin air filter.
2) Press the corresponding button to remove the glove box. Not all vehicles require removal of the glove compartment.
3) Pay attention to how the cabin air filter is sitting, allowing you to adjust the new one in the same way.
4) Remove the filter and clean all remaining tile ble.
5) Vacuum the area thoroughly to remove any remaining dirt.
6) Enter in the new filter. Pay attention to the filter arrows to indicate which direction you should go.
7) Replace the glove box if necessary.
that’s it. In most cars, even the most inexperienced drivers can replace the cabin air filter. There’s very little what goes wrong, so you can also teach your teenage driver how to do it. Think of it as the cost of driving a family car. How much does it cost to replace the cabin air filter? If you are professionally replacing your cabin air filter, you can output between 65 and 100 USD. Most air filters only cost between 20-45 USD, so the remaining fee applies to your job.
If you can change the filter yourself, it’s worth doing this. For work under 15 minutes, you can save between 45-80 USD for labor fees. Otherwise, you can provide services during normal configuration.
Is there any difference when changing the cabin air filter?
Yes, contaminants and allergens build up in the cabin air filters, which increases the breathing problems in the car. Additionally, blocked filters lead to lower heating or air conditioning systems. You may also notice some strange smells from the ventilation slot that makes the drive uncomfortable.
What happens if I don’t change the cabin air filter?
If you don’t change the filter regularly, you will notice a strange smell from the ventilation slot. Air and heating can also be hindered. Furthermore, contaminants and allergens are no longer ruled out for those that cause an allergic reaction between them and passengers, especially if breathing problems already have to be done.
Does a dirty cabin filter damage AC?
Yes, if the cabin air filter is clogged, air cannot flow as needed. The air conditioning system has to work harder and there isn’t much air from the ventilation slot. Furthermore, the air coming out may smell bad and may contain allergens.
Can I drive without a cabin air filter?
There’s nothing to prevent you from driving without a cabin air filter. It does not prevent the engine from operating properly. However, if there is no filter, the debris can enter the climate control system if there is a possibility of damage to this system. The filter also does not have allergen protection.
Can the cabin filter be easily replaced?
Yes, most vehicles have access to the cabin filter via the glove compartment. With a screwdriver, you can remove the old cabin air filter and replace the new cabin filter with the new one. Overall, this alternative should take less than 15 minutes. In this way you save money for professional labor fees.
As a mechanic, there are several maintenance tasks you can do with your eyes closed. Changing the cabin air filter is one of these tasks, but replacing it becomes so important. It’s simple, but there is a valuable reason why you should change your air filter at the right time.
It doesn’t matter whether you go to work, take your kids to school, or travel to work. I hope the car’s cabin smells the best. Also, you don’t want to deal with allergens or other contaminants that can make you sick. It is important to change the air filter just for these reasons. Apart from that, you will need to change it to make sure the air conditioner and heating continue to function similar to the design.
