A clogged cabin air filter can cause a variety of issues for your vehicle's HVAC system. When the filter is left beyond its useful life, it will restrict the amount of air flowing through the vents, resulting in air that does not reach the desired temperature. This can lead to increased energy consumption and motor damage due to overloads. In addition, it can cause a strain on the air conditioning system, reducing its cooling and heating capacity.
Furthermore, it can put a lot of pressure on the system, leading to a blowout. The first sign that your cabin air filter needs to be replaced is reduced airflow in the ventilation grilles. If you frequently travel to areas with poor air quality or a lot of construction, or if you spend your weekends off-roading, you may need to clean your cabin filter more regularly. If you detect a strange smell coming from your car's ventilation grilles, this could indicate that the cabin filter needs to be updated.
Additionally, if you hear a whistle coming from vents that didn't exist before, it's time to inspect the cabin air filter and change it if necessary. To find out exactly when to replace the cabin filter for your specific car model, you should consult the manufacturer's repair manual or call your dealer for more information. Insufficient airflow through your car's cabin vents is a sure indicator that you need to replace the filter. Lack of air flow can be felt in the dashboard grilles and will result in lackluster defrost and defrost performance, as well as reduced air conditioning and heating functionality.
