How to clean your cabin air filter
Imagine you’re driving down the highway, enjoying the cool breeze from your air conditioner, when suddenly, a foul odor hits your nose and you’re nowhere near a dairy farm. Oops! It’s probably your cabin air filter (also known as your AC filter).
Cabin air filters are responsible for maintaining good air quality inside your car. They trap dust, dirt, bacteria, pollen, and even bad odors. Over time, these filters can get dirty or clogged, affecting the airflow inside your car and the overall comfort inside your vehicle. While replacing the filter is the most common solution, in many cases, simply cleaning the filter is enough to avoid unpleasant odors and weak airflow.
Signs of a Dirty Cabin Air Filter
A dirty cabin air filter can cause a variety of problems in your vehicle. To know when it’s time to thoroughly clean your filter or consider replacing it, look out for the following signs:
1) Unpleasant Odor
If you notice an unpleasant odor coming from your vents, like a gym locker or sweaty socks, it may be time to check your cabin air filter. Contaminants trapped in the filter can cause a mold-like odor, and increasing the airflow rate will make that odor even stronger.
2) Reduced Airflow
When your air conditioner filter becomes clogged with debris, it restricts the airflow through your ventilation system. Even when you turn on the fan, you’ll notice that the amount of air being blown through the vents is less than normal.
3) Dust and Dirt
Even after cleaning your car, if there’s excess dust or dirt left on the dashboard or seats, it’s a warning sign that your cabin air filter isn’t working. If the filter is dirty or clogged, it can’t keep contaminants from getting inside.
4) Foggy Windows
If your windows or windshield fog up more often than usual, it could be due to the difference in temperature and humidity between the air indoors and outdoors. This is often caused by a dirty cabin filter that can’t efficiently remove moisture from the air. 5) Whistling noises coming from the vents
If you hear a whistling noise coming from the vents, that’s another sign that your cabin air filter may be clogged or damaged. The noise is caused by air not being able to pass through the filter as easily.
How to find the cabin filter
If you’ve never heard of a cabin air filter, it’s probably because it’s not usually visible and its exact location varies depending on the make and model of your car. However, there are a few common places you can find it.
1. Behind the glove box: This is the most common location for this filter. You may need to remove a small panel on the back of the glove box to access it. In some cases, the entire glove box may fold up and out of the way.
2. Under the dash: In some vehicles, the cabin air filter may be located under the dash on the passenger side. You may need to remove a kick plate or other trim piece to access it.
3. Under the hood: In rare cases, these filters are located under the hood near the windshield on the passenger side. This is more likely to occur in older and European cars. So, if you’re unsure, be sure to check your owner’s manual to find out where it is.
Before you start looking for your cabin air filter, you should understand what a filter is. It’s usually stored in a plastic container, shelf, or holder. If your vehicle was manufactured after 2000, the cabin filter should be in one of these common locations.
Don’t hesitate to check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for more information on the exact location of the cabin filter and the exact steps you need to take. Clean the cabin air filter
Most quick lube companies recommend replacing your cabin filter if it is even slightly clogged or dirty. You need to understand that the filter will not become completely clogged immediately.
It is a gradual process, where the filter gradually becomes clogged and less air can pass through. This process only requires cleaning the filter, rather than replacing it completely. In this case, you can wait 15,000 miles before replacing the filter. Here’s how to clean your car’s air conditioner filter.
1) Find your filter
If you own a vehicle manufactured after 2000, your cabin filter should be located behind the glove box or in the driver’s footwell. It’s easy to find because it’s stored in some kind of container, shelf, or holder.
To open the container, you’ll need to remove a clip or wing nut. Once you do this, the container can be easily removed to reveal the filter underneath. If you still can’t find the filter, check your owner’s manual or search online for a guide on the cabin air filter location for your vehicle model.
2) Remove the Filter
Once the cabin air filter is exposed, simply pull it out. There are no additional nuts or brackets holding the filter in place. The container was the only part holding the filter. Remove the filter and place it in a safe place.
3) Clean the Filter
There are two ways you can clean the filter. You can either use a vacuum cleaner or you can use a bucket of soapy water. If you’re using the latter, you just put the filter into the soapy liquid and move it around in there until it is soaked thoroughly.
After a few minutes, take the filter out and shake it to get the extra soapy water out that remains.
Use clean water to gently rinse from the clean side out to allow the dirt and debris to flow out of the filter. Leave the filter on a towel so that it can dry off. It may take several hours for this to happen.
If you’re using a vacuum cleaner, you just need to vacuum one side of the filter with it for one minute and then do the same on the other side.
4) Reverse the Process
Once your cabin air filter is fully dry, you can reinstall it in your vehicle. Be sure to position it correctly, with the dirtier side facing away from your vehicle’s HVAC system. Gently slide the filter back into its housing and secure any clips or fasteners.
Types of Cabin Air Filters
1) Paper Air Filter
Paper cabin air filters are the standard type of HVAC filters. These are the filters that come in most vehicles. They are usually made out of multifiber cotton like an engine air filter and layered to keep particulates out of the passenger space.
2) Reusable Air Filter
Reusable cabin air filters are made of rubber or polyurethane around the edges to seal against the HVAC system. The filtration material is made of a washable fabric surrounded by an aluminum support structure that doesn’t degrade over time. These filters are often odor resistant, keeping your interior smelling fresh.
Here is an example of a cabin air filter that fits many Japanese cars such as Toyota, Subaru, Lexus, and Scion.
This cabin air filter is compatible with many American trucks such as Chevy, GMC, and Cadillac.
3) HEPA Filter
HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air filter. In order to meet the HEPA standard in America, the filter must remove at least 99.97% of particulates from the air that passes through it.
A HEPA filter is adept at filtering smoke, dust, allergens, soot, and many other contaminants that are unhealthy to breathe for a prolonged period of time. Not all cabin air filters are HEPA filters. HEPA filters typically cost more, but are well worth it.
Can All Cabin Air Filters Be Cleaned?
Some cabin air filter are made of paper and should be replaced instead of cleaned. Reusable filters can be cleaned using a vacuum, a hose, or a microfiber towel and a bucket.
How Often Should a Cabin Air Filter Be Changed?
Typically, it’s recommended to replace your cabin air filter every 15,000 to 25,000 miles or once a year, whichever comes first. However, it’s best to consult your vehicle’s owner manual for the manufacturer’s recommendation. Keep in mind that if you frequently drive in dusty or polluted environments, you may need to change your filter more often.