Many economy and mid-range automobiles today offer cabin air filters. What does the cabin air filter do? How long does the cabin filter last? How do you replace the cabin air filter?
A cabin air filter
The engine air filter keeps dust and contaminants from getting into the engine, where it accelerates wear and forms performance-robbing deposits. Similarly, the cabin air filter prevents dust and pollen from getting into the passenger compartment, where it can cause problems ranging from HVAC performance-robbing effects and health problems for the driver and passengers.
Just as the engine needs to breath clean air, so do we. The road is also a smelly place, for which certain cabin air filters are well-suited.
Why is Cabin Air Filtration Important?
The “cabin air filter” may be referred to as “air conditioner filter,” “dust filter,” or “cabin filter,” but they are not HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters, which are tested to remove over 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 µm. The cabin filter is a paper or textile filter medium, fitted to strain out airborne contaminants before they enter the cabin. Most cabin air filters are strictly filtration mediums, but some feature odour-eliminating properties.
Basic cabin filters, or particulate cabin air filters, depending on the brand, can filter out up to 99% of contaminants over 3 µm in size, including dust, ash, pollen, spores, hair, feathers, leaves, and insects. Some filters can filter out over 95% of particles between 1 µm and 3 µm in size, such as bacteria, some viruses, finer dust and soot produced by vehicles.
Particulate Cabin Air Filter
Carbon cabin air filters have all the same filtration properties of basic filters, but with the added benefit of odour elimination. A layer of activated charcoal is sandwiched between successive paper or textile filter medium. The charcoal medium absorbs exhaust fumes and unpleasant odours, improving air quality even more than particulate filters. This is found on luxury cars more often.
Carbon Cabin Air Filter
Aside from allergic reactions (sneezing, coughing etc.), which can impair the driver, some contaminants are known to cause serious health problems. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has linked particulate matter less than 10 µm or 2.5 µm to increased incidence of asthma, lung cancer, respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, to name a few. We Nigerians, don't care about this.
Particulate cabin filters are less expensive than carbon cabin filters, but the extra expense may be justified if you regularly drive in stop-and-go traffic (Lagos people) or through industrial areas. Get them if you can.
How Often Should the Cabin Filter be Changed?
Comparison of old and new cabin air filters
Automakers and technicians may suggest replacing the cabin air filter once or twice a year, or depending on mileage, but there are other factors that can affect the lifespan of an individual cabin filter.
Mileage: Generally, the more a car is driven, the more air a cabin air filter will process, so mileage can be a pretty good indicator of when to replace it.
Time: Somewhat less important is how long the filter has been in service. Particulate filters don’t degrade over time, but carbon filters continue to absorb odours from the moment they are unsealed.
Area: Some areas are dustier than others, and other areas have higher pollen counts. The more contaminants there are in the air, the less time the cabin filter will last.
Season: Many airborne contaminants are greater at certain times of the year. Dust, mould, and pollen levels vary throughout the year.
The best way to determine when to replace the cabin air filter is either by visual inspection, olfactory inspection, or by noting how much airflow is being impacted. Fortunately, most modern cabin air filters are easily-accessible, so a five-minute inspection should give you a good idea of filter lifespan. Replace the filter if it’s filled up, smells bad, or is restricting airflow.
I like to change mine after every dry (dusty)season, but get some dust of them sometime in between if I notice any changes in airflow.
How to Replace the Cabin Air Filter
The cabin air filter is positioned so it can process air going into the air conditioner, but accessing depends on the vehicle.
The most common cabin filter access point is located behind the glove box on the passenger side.
Position of cabin air filter behind the glove box.
Less-commonly, the filter is accessed through the engine compartment behind the windshield cowling.
Position of cabin air filter close to windshield cowling.
Even less-common are other locations, such as behind the centre console kick panel, as in older Lexus sedans, but check your owner’s manual for specific location of the cabin air filter and how to replace it.
To access the cabin air filter, you may not need any tools, though some vehicles may require some basic hand tools, such as a nut driver or Philips or flat-head screwdriver.
You can use a vacuum (if available) to prevent captured particles, insects, or leaves from getting through the rest of the system.
When installing the new cabin air filter, please note the correct airflow direction, usually indicated by an arrow.
Please refer to your owner's manual for specific instructions or speak to your auto-technician.
After replacing the cabin filter, enjoy a few more months of driving in clean air, even when the outside air isn’t.
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