Got allergies? Check your cabin air filter!

Did you know your car can be making your allergies worse? If your vehicle is model year 2000 or newer, there’s a good chance it is equipped with a cabin air filter. The cabin air filter cleans the air entering the passenger compartment. It helps trap pollen, bacteria, dust and exhaust gases that may find their way into a vehicle’s heating and air conditioning systems. A dirty or clogged cabin air filter can cause contaminants to become so concentrated in the interior of your car that passengers actually breathe in more fumes and particles when riding in the car than when walking down the street.

The Car Care Council says contaminants entering a vehicle’s passenger compartment through the air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems can make the air in the car 6 times dirtier than the air outside. Cabin air filters are also a prime spot for rodents, who can chew up your filter and clog up the system with their nests.

At Hillside Automotive we recommend replacing your cabin air filter annually or every 12,000 to 15,000 miles. If you drive frequently in urban areas or places with poor air quality you may need to replace sooner. Some signs that you need a new cabin air filter are reduced air flow through your ventilation system, such as when you crank up the fan too high and you get more noise than results or persistent musty smells coming through the vents.

If you would like to have your cabin air filter checked or replaced, we'd be glad to help. Give us a call or let us know at your next visit.