Most car manufacturers recommend replacing the cabin air filter every 15,000 to 30,000 miles under normal operating conditions. However, this is just a general guideline and the actual lifespan of the filter depends on the intensity of the car's usage. If you're not sure if it's time to replace your cabin air filter, there are some warning signs you can look out for, such as reduced airflow through your vehicle's HVAC system or persistent bad odors. It's important to have your cabin air filter checked every 15,000 to 25,000 miles or at least once a year.
If your vehicle is serviced regularly at a dealership, they will likely recommend that you change the cabin air filter at specific intervals, but they will charge you a lot for the replacement. Your car's cabin air filter is essential for the overall health of your HVAC system and for people who ride in your car as it cleans the air entering the vehicle through the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. Regardless of the time of year, you should replace the cabin air filter if it is full, restricting airflow, or if it smells bad. Replacing the cabin air filter is something anyone can do at home and if you live in a dry and dusty area, such as the desert, you will get a lot more dust into your vehicle so the cabin air filter will work harder to clean polluted air before entering your car.
Many cabin air filters are located behind the glove box and can be easily accessed by releasing the glove box from its fasteners; instructions should be in the car's owner's manual. The more severe the driving conditions, the more often you will have to replace the cabin air filter. It's important to remember that even if you don't have any warning signs, you should still have your air filter checked at least once a year and you may be able to do it yourself. Believe it or not, it's quite easy to replace the cabin air filter on most vehicles and yet most drivers don't do it regularly or overpay their mechanic to replace it.
The difficulty in a scented cabin air filter has always been in how to moderate the scent outlay. The best indicator that the cabin air filter needs to be changed is through a visual inspection, observing the impact of the air flow, or by an olfactory inspection. However, ask any experienced automotive technician out there and they will tell you how these things play a huge role in your vehicle as they work to filter out contaminants and prevent them from entering the car's cabin. In conclusion, it's important to remember that you must regularly change your cabin air filter every 15,000 to 25,000 miles and always be aware of your cabin air filter cleaning tasks. The driving conditions in which your vehicle endures on a daily basis will affect how often the cabin air filter needs to be replaced.
