How to Change a Cabin Air Filter? Read the Ultimate Guide

Nowadays, cabin air filters are standard equipment in the vast majority of vehicles on the road. Discover all the information you require, including when and how to replace it.

So, how to change a cabin air filter? Open the glove box, remove the limiting stop arm, release the glove box, remove the old cabin air filter, clean filter chamber and check seals and gaskets, install the new cabin air filter, replace and secure the glove box.

Please read on for more detailed information.

What Does the Cabin Air Filter Do?

The purpose of the cabin filter is to purge the contaminated air from the outside that enters the cabin when the fan is running. A media material that allows air through but traps dirt and other potential airborne particles is permeable to air. As the contaminants stick to the filter media, these filters eventually clog up. A subpar cabin air filter can significantly reduce air flow and reduce air cleaning efficiency.

How to Change a Cabin Air Filter?

Here is an easy step-by-step guide:

Open the Glove Box

Take the items out of the glove box by opening it.

Remove the Limiting Stop Arm

On the right side of the glove box is the limiting stop arm. Simply slide the pin to release it.

How to Change a Cabin Air Filter Read the Ultimate Guide — How to Change a Cabin Air Filter? Read the Ultimate Guide

Release the Glove Box

Squeeze the front and back of the glove box toward one another while holding them in place to release the side clamps. Because the sides are now free, you can lower the entire glove box to reveal the faceplate for the cabin air filter channel.

Remove the Old Cabin Air Filter

Open the filter compartment by releasing the latches on the faceplate’s sides and sliding it out of the way. Simply remove the old cabin air filter from the car now, taking care not to spread any dust, dirt, or other debris into the vehicle. Be mindful of the arrows’ orientation as you remove the old filter. They serve as a guide for airflow direction.

Clean Filter Chamber and Check Seals and Gaskets

Clean the filter chamber with a vacuum before wiping it down with a damp cloth to get rid of any stray contaminants before installing a brand-new, fresh EnviroShield cabin air filter. Make sure gaskets and seals are in good shape before deciding whether to replace them as well.

This guide will go over how to wash a car at home and some frequently asked questions about best practices for washing cars in order to assist you in keeping your car clean.

Install the New Cabin Air Filter

Make certain that the old and new cabin air filters are interchangeable. Slide the new filter into the filter slot after making sure that the arrows on it point in the same direction as the old filter you removed.

Replace and Secure the Glove Box

Simply replace the faceplate, snap the glove box back into place, install the limiting stop, and put everything back in the glove box once the filter is in place.

How Often to Change Cabin Air Filter?

By keeping the air inside your car clean, changing your cabin air filter can help protect your lungs in just a few minutes. While driving, if you notice that the air coming from your climate control vents isn’t moving as freely, it might be worth checking the filter. Typically, it needs to be changed every 15,000 to 30,000 miles or whenever you see signs of dirt on them during an inspection. Consult your owner’s manual for a precise service interval.

Signs Your Cabin Air Filter Needs to Be Replaced

How do you know when it’s time to replace your cabin air filter if mileage isn’t always a reliable indicator? According to Jonathon Klein of The Drive, these are some of the usual signs:

You can quickly detect the smells of factories, farms, skunks, and other things outside your car.—including when the air inside the car is being recirculated
The airflow out of your vents is weak, even when it’s set to the highest level
It sounds like air is struggling to get through the car’s HVAC system and out the vent, or like the vent itself is blocked
You can see smoke or other particulates come through the vents

How Long Do Cabin Air Filters Last?

Cabin air filters were generally intended to last 12,000 to 30,000 miles. However, you might need to replace it every year or even more frequently if you reside in an industrial area with high levels of air pollution or a region that frequently experiences wildfires.

FAQs

What Happens If You Don’t Change Your Cabin Air Filter?

If you don’t change your cabin air filter, the filter will become more clogged with dirt and debris and the efficiency of the filter and your car’s HVAC system will be compromised. The air volume into your passenger compartment will be steadily reduced, which will cause a problem with bad odors inside your car.

Does Cabin Air Filter Affect AC?

Believe it or not, your cabin filter can affect your AC system, and the The power of the entire vehicle can be significantly impacted by the AC. You might need to increase the AC if your filter is clogged. Your AC’s workload increases as does that of the engine.

Is It OK to Run AC Without Cabin Filter?

No, you should never run your AC without a filter!

While it will operate, your HVAC system shouldn’t ever operate without an air filter. Running your air conditioner without installed air filters can result in significant damage because dirt is the leading cause of air conditioner failure.

Can You Wash and Reuse Cabin Air Filter?

There are paper, cloth, and carbon cabin air filters. Paper filters must never be cleaned; they must always be replaced. Some cloth and carbon filters are reusable and can stand up to a wash.

Is It Worth Replacing Cabin Filter?

When you regularly replace the cabin air filter, you reduce the amount of pollution that enters your vehicle’s interior. Since the filter is essentially the only barrier separating the air you breathe inside your car from the outside, it is frequently cited as a reason to change the filter.