There are few things more important in our daily lives than getting where we need to go and the air we breathe while getting there. Fortunately, most late model cars on the road today come equipped with a cabin air filter that cleanses the air coming into the interior of the car, capturing dust, pollen and other allergens that can affect you, your family and even your pets! Your car’s cabin air filter is a high particulate filtration system designed to filter out these environmental hazards and keep the air you breathe in your car as fresh as possible. Check out these tips for knowing when and how to change your cabin air filter and keep the air you and your family breathe in your daily travels as safe and clean as possible.
How will I know when it’s time to replace my cabin filter?
- Abnormal smell coming from the vents – you may notice a funky odor or musty smell that is more prominent when the air conditioning is turned on.
- Reduced air flow – a worn out air filter will restrict the air flow and cause the AC not to function properly. You will notice the air blowing with less force and your car may not cool off as quickly, or at all.
- Excessive mileage – this one is good old common sense. If your mileage is getting up there, you likely need to change your cabin filter. A good rule of thumb is to change it every 12,000 miles or twice a year just to be safe.
Where is my cabin air filter located?
- Typically, your cabin air filter is located inside a small inspection door in the cabin side of the fan housing. where the front seat passenger’s feet are located, commonly referred to as the footwell. Locating and changing the cabin air filter can be easy or difficult depending on the model of your car. They will all be in the air conditioning/vent system after the fan. But to be sure, check your owner’s manual for the exact location.
How do I change the cabin filter?
- Your first step is to purchase the right cabin filter for your vehicle. You can check the owner’s manual but also consider your environment and choose a filter that meets the specific needs in your area. For example, if you drive daily in bumper to bumper traffic, you may choose to select a more expensive charcoal activated cabin filter to deliver better protection to the elements you drive in on a daily basis.
- Using a ratchet, socket and screwdriver and the proper eye protection and gloves, carefully remove the bolts and/or screws from your glove compartment frame and remove the glove compartment frame.
- There should be a removable plastic filter cover. Remove the filter cover and pull out the old filter.
- Clean the area around the filter housing before installing the new filter.
- Insert the new filter and reattach the glove compartment cover.
And take a deep breath! Replacing your cabin air filter regularly will keep you breathing easy and enjoying the ride. If the idea of changing it yourself is intimidating, talk to your local technician and they can guide you through the process or simply do it for you! Or maybe you’re one of those people who love working on your own car. If you’ve always been the automobile do-it-yourself kind, maybe a career as an auto technician is right for you! J-Tech Institute is helping students get the hands-on training they need to become certified technicians. Contact J-Tech now to learn more about the exciting career possibilities in the auto technician industry. Let’s face it, there will never be a shortage of people wanting to get where they’re going. And you can be one of the skilled technicians who help them get there. Don’t wait to jump start your future! Call J-Tech today!