Replacing the cabin filter ZAZ Vida

The ZAZ Vida car is equipped with a ventilation, heating and air conditioning system, thanks to which you can always create a cozy, comfortable environment in the cabin in any weather outside. Regardless of whether the air conditioner or stove is turned on, or the interior is simply ventilated, the outside air entering the system is first passed through the filter element. In recirculation mode, when the air is circulated in a closed circuit, it also passes through the filter. Like any filter element, its resource is limited, and therefore the cabin filter must be replaced periodically.

What is a cabin filter

The cabin filter is designed to purify the air, and therefore has no fundamental differences from other similar filtering devices. It is based on a porous material - usually a special paper or synthetic material that can freely pass air through itself and at the same time retain the debris and dust contained in it. 

If we are talking about a conventional filter element, then it is capable of producing only mechanical filtration, preventing leaves, insects, sand, bitumen crumbs and other small particles from entering the air conditioning system and interior.

There are also elements containing additionally activated carbon. Carbon filters absorb unpleasant odors, tobacco smoke and various harmful impurities contained in the air of city streets and busy country roads. Such filters are a little more expensive, and their service life is limited by the ability of activated carbon to absorb a certain amount of harmful substances. But on the other hand, in a summer city, they will not let those who are in the cabin burn out from toxic exhausts, especially if you have to stand in traffic jams for a long time on hot days. In the cooler season, as a rule, you can get by with a conventional filter element. 

What threatens a clogged cabin filter

In ZAZ Vida, the air filter of the ventilation and air conditioning system should be replaced at least once a year or after a run of 15 thousand kilometers. If the car is operated in difficult conditions, then you need to change the cabin filter 2 times more often. Severe operating conditions, in relation to the cabin filter, means movement on dirt roads and in places where the air contains a large amount of sand and small mechanical particles, for example, near construction sites. The resource of the carbon filter is approximately half of the resource of a conventional filter element.

The cabin filter often escapes the attention of the owner of the car, and it is remembered only when an extraneous smell of dust and mold appears in the cabin. This means that the filter element is clogged and can no longer perform its air cleaning function.

But the smell of dampness is not limited. Late replacement of the cabin filter can lead to a number of other problems. The dirt accumulated in the clogged element contributes to the reproduction of pathogens, and this is a direct threat to the health of the driver and passengers. If you do not respond in time, it may be necessary to decontaminate the air conditioner. Autumn dampness is especially insidious, when a fungus can start in wet paper. 

Another consequence of a clogged cabin filter is misted windows. Its replacement, as a rule, instantly solves this problem.

A dirty filter element does not allow air to pass through well, which means you should not expect it to provide you with pleasant coolness on a hot summer day. 

In late autumn, you may again regret your forgetfulness or stinginess, because. And again, because of a dirty cabin filter. 

Possibility of cleaning

Or maybe just take and throw away the clogged filter? And forget about the problem? Some do just that. And completely in vain. Dust and dirt will freely enter the cabin and accumulate on the upholstery of the seats. Plant pollen will make you sneeze or trigger allergic reactions. Periodically, insects will annoy you, which in some cases can even cause an emergency. And large debris entering through the air intake will eventually clog the fan impeller and disrupt its operation up to a complete failure.

So getting rid of the cabin filter once and for all is, to put it mildly, not the best solution. Then maybe clean it up?

Wet cleaning, and even more so washing the paper filter, is absolutely unacceptable. After that, you can definitely just throw it away. As for gentle shaking and blowing with compressed air, such a procedure is acceptable and even desirable. But only as a temporary solution between replacements. Moreover, dry cleaning of the filter element does not affect the replacement frequency. The annual replacement remains in effect.

There is simply no point in talking about cleaning the carbon filter. It is absolutely impossible to clean activated carbon from accumulated harmful substances. 

Where is the filter element in ZAZ Vida and how to replace it

In ZAZ Vida, the filter of the ventilation and air conditioning system is located behind the glove box - the so-called glove box. 

Open the drawer and squeeze the sides to disengage the latches. Then tilt the glove compartment down, pull it towards you and remove it by pulling it out of the lower latches. 

Further, two options are possible - horizontal and vertical arrangement of the compartment.

Horizontal arrangement.

The compartment in which the filter element is hidden is covered with a lid with latches on the sides. Squeeze them out and remove the cover. 

Now remove the filter and install a new one in its place. Make sure the installation is correct. The direction of air circulation through the filter element must correspond to the arrow on its side surface. Or be guided by the inscriptions, which should not be upside down.

Before installing a new element, do not forget to clean the seat. There happens to be a lot of garbage.

Then assemble everything in reverse order.

Vertical arrangement.

In this embodiment, the filter compartment is located on the left. Many people have difficulty removing and installing a vertically located filter due to the presence of a transverse jumper. Some simply cut it off, but this is not necessary at all.

Remove the 4 screws that secure the metal strip. Under it there is the same plastic jumper that prevents you from getting the filter element. 

Remove the compartment cover, there is a latch on the bottom of it.

Pull out the filter element while bending it to the right parallel to the plastic bridge.

Clean the inside of the compartment and install the new element in the same way as the old one was removed. The arrow on the end of the element must point upwards.

Reassembly shouldn't be a problem.

As you can see, replacing a ZAZ Vida is not difficult and does not take much time. But you will feel changes in the inner atmosphere immediately. And the cost of the element itself will not ruin you.