Cabin Air Filter

What Does a Cabin Air Filter Do?

Your vehicle's cabin air filter is essential to keeping the air clean as it flows through your air conditioner. Knowing when to replace it can make all the difference in the interior air quality. The simplest way to determine if your cabin air filter needs cleaning or replacing is if you notice an unpleasant odor or if the airflow has decreased. If you experience more sneeze-inducing allergens in your vehicle's cabin or a haziness of air while driving through densely polluted areas, it is time to replace your cabin's air filter because harmful pollutants can cause health issues. Since driving is a daily part of our lives, replacing air filters for cars is an easy way to prevent strained breathing and even allergic reactions.

Your vehicle's cabin air filter helps remove allergens and harmful pollutants from the air you breathe, including pollen and dust. This filter is often located behind the glove box and cleans the air of particulates as it moves through the vehicle's HVAC system. Cabin filters for cars become dirty over time and may get clogged even quicker if you live in heavily polluted areas where the air is filled with debris, smog and mold spores. A fresh replacement cabin air filter can also help prevent leaves and animal waste particulates from entering the air you breathe.

A new, clog-free cabin air filter also ensures your air conditioning and heating system is not hindered. You would not want those critical systems running slow in the dead of winter or blistering heat. As the filter gets older, you need that cabin air filter replacement as soon as possible. NAPA experts recommend replacing your filter with premium quality options like the NAPA Platinum Air Filter at least once a year.

If you live in a high-pollution area or travel along dirt roads for most of your commutes, consider replacing your cabin air filter sooner. Each manufacturer has guidelines for how often you should replace the cabin air filter, which is usually every 15,000 to 25,000 miles. Refer to your owner's manual by checking the sections for air conditioning system, oil filter, cabin air filter, clean air or car/vehicle's interior for further guidance.

How Do I Install the Replacement Cabin Air Filter?

Consider using an air filter maintenance kit if you have a reusable, washable air filter. Cleaning a reusable air filter is potentially an immediate fix to breathing airborne contaminants during an intense allergy season or while driving through heavy construction zones. Remember, a dirty filter emits unpleasant odors throughout your vehicle's interior and reduces clean airflow, so learning to install the cabin air filter yourself is the best long-term fix.

Installing a replacement cabin air filter is relatively easy once you know the type of filter you need, like the circular NAPA Gold Air Filter or the squarely designed three-panel Bosch Air Filter Cabin. Once you establish which cabin air filter you need, locate where it is housed in your vehicle. Many are conveniently located under the dashboard or behind the glove department. For step-by-step guidance, check out our article on how to change a cabin air filter.

Don't delay changing the cabin air filter as it can impact your vehicle's climate control system. You may experience either reduced air flow or musty, unpleasant odors coming through the vents in your interior cabin as you drive. Protect your passengers and yourself by keeping out the contaminants that could harm your health. Shop for various NAPAOnline products, such as the NAPA ProSelect Air Filter and the K&N Air Filter, which are meticulously engineered to offer outstanding filtration. If you are not confident about replacing your air filter, you can always take it to a local NAPA AutoCare Center near you.