Air conditioning has become a mainstay of modern-day driving. Long gone are the days when you could just roll down the windows and let the fresh breeze in. First of all, the breeze isn’t so fresh anymore, and traffic jams make it hard to cool your car with windows down as you drive.
Moreover, rolling down your windows at highway speed makes otherwise well-insulated vehicles noisy, not to mention fuel inefficient.
These factors have made air conditioning very crucial. Though unseen, your cabin air filter is in charge of keeping all that conditioned air fresh regardless of how much dust, pollen, or exhaust fumes are floating around your car.
What Does a Cabin Air Filter Do?
Your cabin air filter is in charge of filtering all the air coming into the car through the heating and air conditioning system. It focuses on getting rid of solid contaminants like:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold spores
- Pollution
- Vehicle exhaust fumes
With so many particles to trap, the cabin air filter is bound to get dirty and clogged over time. Just like your air filter and the oil filter, it needs replacement now and then.
How Long Should a Cabin Air Filter Last?
Putting a figure on how long an air filter should last is almost impossible. Most cabin air filters will last between 15000 and 30000 miles.
However, this figure varies wildly depending on:
The quality of the air filter
High-quality or OEM air filters tend to have longer lifespans than cheap aftermarket replacements. They tend to have more folds within the filter assembly that provides a more significant surface area to trap debris and purify your air for longer miles to come.
If it is your first replacement, go for a tested and proven high-quality aftermarket unit or just stick with an OEM product from your manufacturer.
Your vehicle’s model and its AC system design
Your vehicle’s design will also determine how fast you burn through cabin air filters. Some manufacturers use painfully small filters, while others use big enough filters or even more than one filter.
This, coupled with other design choices like a well-placed intake vent and pre-filters, will have a significant impact on how often you have to replace your cabin air filter.
How often do you run your AC?
You won’t have to replace the filter often if you don’t run your AC as often. While this might be unheard of, some people living in the right weather conditions don’t have to run their AC systems constantly.
Running yours less often, say 30 percent less than average, will give you more lifespan from the filter and other air conditioning system components.
What conditions do you drive in?
Finally, your driving conditions determine how hard you use the cabin air filter. If you drive out in the open countryside with no dust or pollen, your filter will last longer than if you drive within a city full of smog.
A farm vehicle will also clog its filter faster with pollen from the crops and dust whenever you take it off the pavement.
Signs That It is Time to Change Your Cabin Air Filter
Since using mileage to determine how often you should replace your cabin filter is a bit futile, looking for tell-tale signs and symptoms that your filters are damaged or clogged is better.
The top signs to be on the lookout for are:
- Reduced airflow when you have the climate control fan on forcing you to use higher than average fan speed
- A lingering unpleasant smell
- More dust settling in your car even when you drive with your windows closed
What Happens if You Don’t Change Your Cabin Air Filter?
If you don’t change your cabin filter, the clogged filter symptoms will get worse. The air will get more foul-smelling when you turn on the AC, and airflow will dwindle over time until you can’t get any functional airflow from the vents, even with the fan on full.
This will put extra back pressure on ducting and the AC fan and could lead to further failure.
Is it Worth It to Change a Cabin Air Filter?
Absolutely. Cabin air filters are easy to change. Consult your user manual to identify its location under the dashboard or in the glove box.
After this, buy the correct replacement unit and install it yourself. The ease of replacement coupled with the fact that air filters are very cheap to make them easy to replace.
Check this too: How Often To Change An Air Filter In A Car
Once you replace them, your AC will heat or cool faster thanks to improved airflow. The air will also be fresh, and your car won’t smell musty. The improved efficiency will also reduce the drag your AC system puts on the engine and how long it has to run to attain a set temperature.
You will be more fuel-efficient.