March 10

How To Replace Your Car’s Cabin Air Filter?

Your cabin air filter helps provide clean, fresh air to your vehicle as you’re driving through Lewisville, Texas. It’s important to regularly replace your car’s cabin air filter. Not replacing your filter can result in the circulation of foul, musty odors and diminished air quality, which can adversely impact passengers with asthma or allergies. It can even damage your car’s HVAC system, resulting in costly repairs.

At Huffines Chevrolet Lewisville, we’ve put together this guide to help you determine how often you should replace your cabin air filter as well as how to replace your filter when the time finally comes to do so.

When Should I Replace My Car’s Cabin Air Filter?

Air Filter Zoomed In | Engine Air Filter

Image via Flickr by comedy_nose

Your vehicle’s cabin air filter works to remove harmful pollutants, as well as regular pollen and dust, from the cabin. This makes it easier for you to breathe clean air and stay healthy. Over time, these air filters can become clogged with dirt, dust, and other debris, which can make it a lot more difficult to effectively clean the air and can even inhibit the flow of air into the cabin. When your air filter is especially dirty, it becomes much harder to get the air in, which can result in several other issues.

It’s not always easy to know exactly when to replace your vehicle’s air filter. Air filters can last a long time, but it’s still important to change them to keep your HVAC system from having to work even harder. Some manufacturers recommend you change your air filter every 15,000 miles, while others recommend every 30,000 or 45,000 miles. If your driving conditions include highly trafficked roads in urban or suburban areas, areas with a lot of heat and dust, or unpaved roads, you may need to get your filter changed more often. Different vehicles may even have more than one filter.

The best way to find out exactly how often you need to change your filter is to check your vehicle manufacturer’s manual, which can tell you how often you should replace your air filter and where the air filter is located on your vehicle so you can easily check it when you’re getting close to the point where you’ll need it to be replaced. If you’re still unsure when to replace your filter, you can get it checked the next time you come in for regular maintenance. Most vehicles require a yearly replacement.

Signs You Need To Replace Your Cabin Air Filter

Most vehicles have the cabin air filter underneath the vehicle’s hood, behind the glove box, or underneath the dashboard. No matter where your filter is, it’s essential to have it checked on a regular basis and note any signs that it might need to be replaced immediately. If you can access your filter, you can keep track of its condition and replace it as it becomes visibly dirty and clogged.

One of the first signs that you might need to replace your air filter is weak airflow in your cabin. If you notice that the airflow from your vents is having a more challenging time circulating, you’ll most likely need to replace the filter. This can be a sign that the filter itself has a buildup, and on Lewisville’s dusty roads, it’s not uncommon to experience a clogged air filter. A clogged filter can severely impede the flow of air into the cabin, even if you have your air conditioning cranked up to the highest volume.

Another sign you likely need to replace the filter is a pungent odor that lingers for a few days. You’ll want to note any smell that sticks in the cabin longer than it should. Since the purpose of an air filter is to protect passengers from odors and particles outside of the car, smells that seep in even with the windows rolled up and the doors shut can be a telltale sign that you have a faulty filter. Replacing the filter can provide cleaner air in your cabin and help it to smell fresh.

If you keep your windows closed and notice increased dust or debris from inside the vehicle, this could be another sign you need to replace the filter. Dust can mean your filter is so clogged it can’t properly prevent the particles from making it past the filter barrier and onto interior surfaces. Also, take note if your vents are especially noisy or you hear whistling coming from your vents. A blocked air filter can cause your HVAC system to make more noise than it otherwise would.

How To Replace Your Cabin Air Filter

Before you change your filter, remember to check your manual to find out where your air filter is located. You’ll then want to gather the appropriate tools and equipment to access the filter. It can be helpful to place an old towel or cloth underneath the area where your filter is to catch any dust or debris that might come out as you’re removing the filter.

Once you’re ready, carefully remove the old filter from where it’s stored. Try to avoid pulling it out quickly, because this can cause a lot of dust to scatter. It’s also important to note the position of the filter so you can be sure you’re putting it back in correctly. You can use a vacuum to clear away any dust from where the filter was. Next, you can install your new filter and replace the cover once you’re finished. This process often only takes a few minutes but may take longer if you need to remove fasteners or interior trim panels.

If you’re not able to change your cabin air filter yourself, you can bring it to Huffines Chevrolet Lewisville and our expert technicians will have your vehicle ready with a fresh filter in minutes. Simply schedule your appointment online or pop in for a visit. If you’re feeling up to replacing the air filter yourself, you can also order parts online.


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