What Is A Cabin Air Filter And When Does It Need Replacing?

What Is a Cabin Air Filter?

Cabin air filters in vehicles are a fibrous filter that blocks dust, pollution, and bacteria coming in through the heating and air conditioning system.

Twigs and leaves can also be found in there, as the filter is effectively blocking everything from the air outside coming into the cabin of your vehicle.

There are filters available with carbon and other chemicals to enhance the filtering qualities further.

When does a cabin air filter need to be replaced?

At or around 15,000 miles is about average.

Check the owners manual as it may be different for your specific vehicle.

Another factor may be where you live. It will need replacing if you live in an area that has more;

• Pollution
• Dust
• Sand

When a technician recommends it be replaced, you can always ask to see the dirty one. You might be surprised to see what’s in there.

If you suffer from allergies, respiratory problems or smoke in your vehicle, you may also want to change the cabin air filter more often.

A foul-smelling cabin is another good indicator it needs to be changed.

Can you replace a cabin air filter yourself?

Yes. For the most part. Depending on how mechanically inclined you are and where it’s located in your vehicle. Some are a little tougher to change than others.

Some trucks don’t have them, however, most cars do.

The placement of the filter can be in the engine bay close to the firewall or behind the glove-box, but in some cases, it is behind the dash and lot more difficult to get to.

The easiest answer to that is to check the owners manual and find out where it is in your car and whether you can get to it easily or not