Which cabin filter is better

Every car has a cabin filter. with its help, the air is purified from harmful substancesthat come through the heating, ventilation or air conditioning system into our lungs when we are sitting in a car. Many drivers do not pay attention to it, consider this detail not as important as the internal combustion engine air filter, neglecting its timely replacement. And then they are also surprised at the origin of dampness or an unpleasant smell in the cabin. Therefore, we consider it necessary to talk in detail about the varieties of cabin filters, their characteristics, pluses and minuses in use.

Where is the cabin filter located?

In vehicles, the cabin filter can be in the inner wall of the glove compartment or behind the center panel of the car. As for the inner wall, in this case you can easily replace it yourself, you just need to dismantle the fasteners from the glove compartment and remove the element that holds the filter. With the panel is much more difficult, you just can’t get there. You have to not only remove the glove compartment, but also move the seat in order to crawl down to the very edge. Other car models are equipped with cabin filters located under the hood in special cassettes.

Types of cabin filters and their advantages

Cabin filters perform a very important function of protecting the respiratory tract of passengers who are inside the car. Therefore, we will further get acquainted with their types and which type gives the greatest advantage. There are two types of cabin filters: anti-dust и coal.

in order to understand what is their main difference, let us consider in more detail the characteristics of each type of filter element.

Coal filter

Dust filter (normal)

Anti-dust (anti-allergenic filter)

Anti-dust air filters in appearance and technical characteristics are very similar to those for internal combustion engines. The usual "dust" filter has the shape of a rectangle, which includes cellulose or synthetic fiber with corrugated paper stacked in rows. Its density is much lower than that of the paper in the air filter. dust filter picks up dust, soot, rubber particles, plant pollen and heavy volatile mixtures. It should be noted that in the case of fiber treatment with chlorine, the filter can also counteract certain types of bacteria.

Coal filter

The carbon filter is made of synthetic fiber, which collects small particles (up to 1 micron) due to electrostatic voltage. And also, unlike the usual one, it consists of three layers:

1. The first is rough cleaning, it can catch large debris.
2. The second - contains microfiber, it absorbs small particles.
3. The third one is exactly layer with molded activated carbon.

After combining harmful substances with coal, they are partially neutralized. The best of all is coconut charcoal, it is the one most often used by manufacturers.

Before you start making a choice, which is better to put a cabin filter, carbon or conventional, you need to find out what properties are inherent in them, and then highlight the main advantages and disadvantages of both.

Pros and cons of conventional and carbon filters
.	Anti-dust (normal) filter	Coal filter
Advantages	You can use the fan when driving in a tunnel or while idle in traffic jams. The windows in the car do not fog up. Ability to filter large and small debris such as pollen, spores and bacteria. Доступная цена.	You can use the blower when driving in a tunnel or traffic jam Glasses do not fog up. Possibility to filter all harmful substances by 95%. Converting ozone to oxygen. Neutralization of unpleasant odors and harmful substances.
Disadvantages	Cannot retain harmful toxic substances. Cannot absorb foreign odors.	Fairly high cost.

Coal is a good adsorbent for hazardous substances from benzene and phenol groups, as well as nitrogen oxides and sulfur.

Cabin Filter Replacement Signs

Knowledge about which cabin filter is better must be supported by the regulations for its replacement, and for this, read the instruction manual. Where often there is data on the frequency of maintenance. But best of all, additionally pay attention to the typical signs of the need to replace the cabin filter. After all, very often, the actual mileage and the actual condition of the filter element is very different from the expected one.

Dust Cabin Filter (new/used)

Different car manufacturers give completely different recommendations regarding the period of use and replacement of the cabin filter. Some advise change approximately every 10 thousand kilometers, others recommend every 25 thousand run, but experts came to a consensus - first of all, you need to pay attention to the terms of useand then make a decision about the need for a replacement.

Signs of a clogged cabin filter:

1. Windshield fogging in the cabin may indicate the unsuitability of the filter.
2. If in the cabin foreign odors are felt (when using carbon filters), it means that it is time to replace it.
3. Changing the microclimate in the cabin, namely rise in temperature in summer or malfunctions of the heating system in winter.
4. The dashboard and windshield get dirty much faster from the inside.

Coal cabin filter (new/used)

The main causes of cabin filter contamination:

1. If the machine is used in the southern lane, where the climate with a high content of sand and dust, then the filter needs to be replaced much more frequently than if the machine is operated in a region with a cleaner environment.
2. If the car is used in a city where there is enough heavy traffic of cars, then the filter will wear out much faster compared to those cars that drive outside the city.
3. The presence of various pollen, fluff and insects in the atmosphere, as well as the two previous factors, shorten the life of the filter element.

The appearance of visible signs is greatly influenced by the operating conditions of the car. Therefore, if the car has been in the garage for a long time or almost did not drive along country roads, then in the words of the auto repairman that you need to change the cabin filter, because a year has already passed, you need to think and make sure of such a need with your own hands. Since the price of the original of this item can exceed 2-3 thousand rubles. What do you agree is not enough.

Cabin air filter cost

The cost of cabin filters is quite different, there are filters from the premium segment, which naturally cost more than regular ones. The most expensive filters, along with the replacement of course from official representatives, will cost twice as much as those that you buy on the market. The price of cabin filters varies from 200 to 3300 rub. depending on the brand of car and its quality.

When choosing between different price segments, it is not necessary to buy original filters, which are very expensive, from a less popular brand, will be cheaper, but can also serve you for a long time. you can also save a lot on replacing them if you do it yourself.

cabin filter brands

Previously, not only customers, but also automakers did not pay much attention to the benefits of cabin filters. Now the situation has changed radically, on the contrary, car manufacturers assure that absolutely all cars simply need filters to protect passengers from harmful effects. And now they offer a huge selection of different types and qualities.

in order to figure out which company's cabin filter is better, you first need to familiarize yourself with the country of origin and the specialization of a particular manufacturer, and it also does not hurt to read reviews and find comparative tests.

To date, such brands of cabin filters as:

1. german filter Corteco protects against dust, pollen and ozone. The approximate cost is about 760 rubles. The filtering surface area is quite large, but the dust transmission coefficient is average.
2. Filter BOSCH batteries and motors (Germany), can trap not only dust, pollen, but also bacteria. The price is 800 rubles. The filtering surface is impressive, the transmission coefficient is average. In a contaminated state, the product showed the best aerodynamic resistance.
3. AMD. Estimated price 230 rubles. The filtering surface is smaller than the others. Aerodynamic drag is normal, but very high when polluted.
4. MANN FILTER (Czech Republic), estimated cost 670 rubles. The average dust pass rate is much better than others. The resistance in aerodynamics in its pure form is the lowest, in polluted it is much higher.
5. Servant MAHLE, manufacturer (Bulgaria), price - 750 rubles. The filtering surface is quite large, the average dust transmission coefficient is very good.
6. Russian-Chinese RAF FILTER, cost 1200 rubles. It has three filter layers: antibacterial and antifungal; activated carbon with sodium bicarbonate; blocks many allergens. The surface area of ​​the curtain is medium. The aerodynamic resistance of the filter in its pure form is the lowest compared to others. Average pass rates are the best.
7. DENSE, made in Japan, cost 1240 rubles. The area of ​​the filtering surface is one of the largest. The average dust transmission coefficient is quite good.
8. FORWARD, manufacturer Slovenia, price 600 rubles. Dust pass coefficient is average.
9. GOODWILL, manufacturer China, cost 550 rubles. The curtain area is the smallest of the entire sample.
10. filters (Poland). The cost is 340 rubles. Filtron filters are equipped with a filter septum made of fully synthetic non-woven material. The dust pass rate is low.
11. Russian filter SIBTEK, the price is 210 rubles. Dust throughput is average.
12. Big Filter, price 410 rubles. The dust pass rate is high.
13. Nevsky Filter. The cost is 320 rubles. Dust pass coefficient is average.

The presented brands not only differ in price, but also differ in quality, so which cabin filter to choose is up to you. It all depends on personal preferences and on the vehicle you use, and of course on your financial capabilities. Between 2017 and the end of 2021, the price of cabin filters increased by an average of 23%.

Which cabin filter is better carbon or conventional

Many drivers wonder which cabin filter is better carbon or simplewe will try to answer this question. The fact is that high-quality cabin filters must be made exclusively of synthetic materialWhich will not absorb moisture. Because if this happens, then it can not only contribute to fogging and frosting of the glass, but also the formation of a disease-causing fungus and mold on the heater radiator.

If we compare the usual dust and carbon machine filters, then it should be noted that the usual one can protect against getting into the cabin only dust, dirt, leaves and insects, in turn, how coal can cope with more harmful substances, such as: exhaust and evaporation of technical fluids. But today, most drivers ditch them in favor of carbon, not only because it has a higher degree of protection, but also because, especially in big cities, the air is very polluted, and a carbon filter can do a great job of this. task. That's why prefer carbon cabin filters, despite the fact that their cost is twice as high as that of ordinary ones.

Having listed all the disadvantages and features of cabin filters, I would like to say that a simple filter is significantly inferior in its properties to a carbon one. every motorist also needs to know that The service life of the filter is directly related to the time of its use., even if the machine has been little used, then the carbon ball in the filter can be depleted in 3-4 months, although the element itself can also perform its functions for quite a long time. For the service life also may affect и carbon filling density, it varies from 150 to 500 gr. per square meter. But not all filter manufacturers manage to take into account the requirements of the automaker and produce such filters whose fan power would correspond to their characteristics.

It is not recommended to buy a thick filter material, as the air permeability may not be sufficient. And instead of increased air filtration, the opposite effect will occur.

As a result of all of the above, we can conclude that when choosing between an anti-dust and carbon filter, it is worth giving preference to the latter. Although with an ideal selection algorithm, you first need to pay attention to the technical characteristics and desired functions, and then to the price. Since the price does not always correspond to the declared capabilities, most often the opposite is true. Therefore, in order not to harm your body, just change the cabin filter of your car in time.