An air filter may not seem like a critical component, but it is more important than you think. It is possible to drive without an air filter, but it is definitely not recommended, as this component keeps all types of debris out of the climate control system and ensures that the cabin air is fresh and safe to breathe. The importance of clean air inside your vehicle cannot be overstated. According to a study, the average American spends 225 hours a year traveling.
With this in mind, you and your family are exposed to numerous potential respiratory problems, as the air filter is responsible for preventing pollen and dust particles from entering your car through the air conditioner. You certainly want to avoid this, right? Therefore, driving without an air filter is not a good idea. Not all cars come with cabin air filters, so there are no health risks associated with not having one. The worst thing that can happen is that you get small leaves and garbage stuck in the system, depending on how large the inlet is to let in fresh air.
If you smell an unpleasant scent coming from the air conditioner, there is a high chance that your air filters are not working properly. While there's no direct impact on engine performance with a broken or malfunctioning cabin air filter, it's still not advisable to do so. I recently removed the air conditioner filter because it was too dirty and the air didn't feel right, but I couldn't buy it due to work commitments. This suggests that you may have an allergic reaction to air coming out of the air conditioner.
