Clean Vs Dirty Cabin Air Filter

After you have removed your cabin air filter from the automobile you will be required to start the cleaning process.

Clean vs dirty cabin air filter.

The cabin air filter keeps dust dirt pollen bacteria and exhaust gases from entering the hvac system of your car. A cabin air filter that s dirty or clogged won t filter those contaminants causing problems for those who suffer from allergies or have breathing difficulties. A cabin air filter can look almost exactly like the air filter used by your car s engine. A decrease in acceleration due to the restricted air flow from a dirty air filter.

As a rule of thumb if the filter looks dirty it is. Clean the cabin air filter with a vacuum cleaner. Since they work in essentially the same fashion as a regular engine air filter cabin air filters get dirty and should be. The cabin air filter is the filter responsible for filtering the air that is fed into the vehicle s heating and air conditioning systems.

The filter is usually composed of a paper element that is folded into pleats and surrounded by a rubberized gasket. Cabin air filters come in cloth carbon and paper. You can never effectively clean your cabin air filter with your bare hands that is why you will need the help of a vacuum cleaner. In many cases the paper element is white to help you determine when the filter is dirty.

A reduction in the air flowing to the hvac system is a strong indicator that you need to have a mechanic change the cabin air filter. Some cloth and carbon filters are reusable and can stand up to a wash. The fan having to work harder exhibited by increased noise means the air filter needs replacement. In today s computer control vehicles they adjust to the lower air flow associated with a dirty filter.

The filter traps dust pollen and other foreign particles preventing them from entering the vehicle and polluting the cabin. Using a hose on low pressure direct water from clean side to dirty sweeping top to bottom. Luckily dirty air filter symptoms are easy to identify once you know what to look for read on to learn the signs your vehicle needs air filter maintenance so you can keep it healthy and on the road for years to come 1. Air filter appears dirtyone of the easiest symptoms to recognize is the appearance of the filter itself.

It also prevents bugs leaves and other debris from clogging up the system. Paper filters should always be replaced never cleaned. A clean air filter every 30k just makes the engine work a little less. A good rule of thumb is to replace your cabin air filter every february before spring allergy season arrives especially if you live in an area with a lot of trees.

Cleaning different filter types.