Car cabin filter - what is it for and which one is better, replacement time

When talking about replacing the air filter, newcomers may hear a similar term "cabin filter" while thinking that it is the same element. In fact, these are two different consumables, although they perform the same function - they purify the air by removing a substance from the flow that can either damage the inside of the engine or harm the health of everyone in the car.

The importance and frequency of replacing the air filter for the motor already exists separate review... Now let's take a closer look at the modifications for the salon.

What is a car cabin filter for?

The very name of the part speaks of its purpose - to remove harmful substances from the air entering the car interior. The importance of this element should not be underestimated, because the level of air pollution on the highway is much higher than, for example, on the sidewalk. The reason is that a car moving on the road first of all takes another portion of air from the space around the body.

If the track is empty (although this very rarely happens), then the stream will be clean. But when another vehicle is moving in front of the car, especially if it is an old truck, then the concentration of toxic substances in the air will be excessively high. In order not to breathe them, the driver must monitor the condition of the cabin filter.

The filtering surface retains not only large particles, such as foliage and poplar fluff, but also harmful gas invisible to the naked eye from the exhaust pipes of cars on the road.

If there are vehicles on the European borders whose drivers have taken care of the cleanliness of the exhaust, then there are much fewer such vehicles inside the country. The main substance that is released during the combustion of gasoline or diesel fuel is nitrogen dioxide. When the gas is inhaled, the human lungs respond, making it difficult to breathe.

In addition to harmful emissions, vapors of glass cleaning fluid penetrate into the car interior, which is often used in the autumn and winter. To prevent the water in the tank from freezing, manufacturers add various chemical reagents to its composition, which can also activate an allergic reaction when their vapors are inhaled.

How does the cabin filter work?

No manufacturer uses paper in the manufacture of different models of cabin air filters. This is because it promotes the accumulation of harmful bacteria due to possible contact with moisture. Some consider the air conditioning system as an alternative for this part. In fact, the climate system must have a filter. The air conditioner itself removes only moisture from the air, and also creates a comfortable temperature. To trap toxic gases, a special filter element is required.

To protect the driver and passengers in the car from such effects, the cabin filter must be able to filter nitrogen and other harmful substances contained in the exhaust gases and vapors of chemicals for the car. For this reason, such an element is significantly different from a conventional motor filter. Activated carbon can be used in its design, which neutralizes harmful substances when air passes through it.

Modern cabin filters are made of a denser material, so they are able to remove pollen and other allergens from the stream. The peculiarity of this part is that it filters not only solid particles, therefore, conventional blowing will not make the spent element suitable for further use. For this reason, this detail must be changed exclusively.

Where is the cabin air filter located in the vehicle?

The location of the cabin filter depends on the vehicle design. On old cars, this element is mainly installed in the module where the stove motor is located. For example, a car of the SAMARA family will be equipped with a cabin filter, which is located in the engine compartment behind the partition of the engine compartment under the windshield.

In more modern cars, this adapter is installed either in one of the walls of the glove compartment, or under the dashboard. More accurate information regarding a specific car can be obtained from the user's manual for the car.

When should you change your cabin air filter?

Seasonal weather in autumn and large amounts of pollen in spring are two main reasons that shorten the life of an element. The problem is that a large amount of moisture accumulates on its surface, which impedes the movement of air, and microscopic pollen fills the space between the fibers, which can reduce their throughput.

Each car manufacturer uses its own modification of cabin filters (they may differ not only in shape, but also in throughput). For each of them, separate operating periods are established. But, as is the case with a conventional air filter, this element may require more frequent replacement.

It all depends on the conditions in which the vehicle is used. If the driver often drives on dusty field roads, this mode drastically shortens the life of the element, since its fibers will clog faster. The same goes for constant driving in big cities. Under normal conditions, the filter needs to be changed after 20 thousand kilometers (at least), and in more difficult conditions, this interval is usually halved.

How do you know when it's time to change?

Even if the time has not yet come for a scheduled replacement, the driver can understand that this element has exhausted its resource and needs to be replaced. First of all, it depends on the weather and the state of the air in the area on which the car drives. Below we will consider the main signs indicating the need for the premature replacement of the consumable.

Signs that your car's cabin filter needs replacing

1. The strength of the flow coming out of the deflectors has noticeably decreased. The heater for heating the passenger compartment must be turned on at a higher speed.
2. A damp smell is heard from the duct.
3. In the summer, the air conditioning system began to work worse.
4. During the operation of the stove (or it is turned off), the fogging of the windows only increases. Most often, the presence of moisture on the surface of the corrugation of the part is due to the location of the module (during fog or rain, drops can collect on its surface if the part is in the engine compartment).

How to change the filter yourself

First of all, you should figure out where this part is installed. The dismantling procedure will depend on this. This data is indicated by the manufacturer in the manual for the machine. Usually this job will not require any tools. Basically, the module has a cover that is fixed with a plastic fastener (you can squeeze it out with your fingers).

If there is a fear of breaking something, but at any service station, a mechanic will replace a consumable in a couple of minutes. Some repair shops have their own warehouse with spare parts, so some refuse to work with items provided by the car owners.

Consequences of using a used filter or its absence

As we have seen, a cabin filter is a contribution to your own health, as well as to the physical condition of its passengers. Especially if someone in the car suffers from allergies, this part is required.

Here's what happens if you do not use the cabin filter or the replacement period has long passed:

1. In the absence of a filter element, the driver will inhale harmful substances contained in the air when the car is following other vehicles. In addition to the gradual deterioration of well-being, the motorist increases the risk of an accident. A lack of oxygen can distract the driver from the road due to drowsiness or headache.
2. The absence of this element will also cause the appearance of foreign particles in the air ducts of the car. If the vehicle has an air conditioning system, then later it will have to go for an expensive procedure to clean the air shafts and air conditioning parts.
3. When the filter is clogged, the heater engine life is sharply reduced. So that it does not fail ahead of time, in the off-season, dirt accumulated on its surface (dust, fluff and foliage) should be removed.

In addition to taking care of your own health, a cabin filter should be installed to protect the air conditioner evaporator and heater radiator from foreign particles. It can be foliage or poplar fluff. In humid conditions, this dirt contributes to fungal growth or mold. When the driver turns on the ventilation in this case, instead of clean air, everyone breathes in the spores of the fungus or bacteria. Cleaning the air duct system at home will take a lot of time, and at a car service, a decent amount of money.

In the category of cabin filters, there are two modifications - a dust-retaining element, as well as a carbon analogue, which filters even harmful substances invisible to the naked eye. For this reason, for the sake of your own health, it is better to opt for a more expensive modification.

Here's a short video on how important a cabin filter is in a car:

INTERIOR FILTER | Why is it needed and when to change it | AutoHack

Questions and answers:

What happens if the cabin filter is clogged? This will adversely affect the operation of the interior ventilation system: the air flow will be less. In the summer, the cooling will not work well, and in the winter - the stove.

What will the benefit of replacing the cabin filter? After replacing the cabin filter, a sufficient amount of fresh air will enter the vehicle interior. A clean filter properly traps dust, grime, etc.

How does the cabin filter work? This is the same air filter used to clean the air entering the engine. Only it differs in shape. In some cases, its material is impregnated with an antiseptic.

How to change the cabin filter correctly? 1) You need to find it (in many car models, it is located inside the wall of the glove compartment). 2) Remove the cover of the filter module. 3) replace the old filter with a new one.