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3 Easy Steps to Changing Your Car’s Cabin Air Filter

The cabin air filter in your car plays a vital role in the health and comfort of you and your passengers. It prevents dust, pollen, and other allergens from entering your vehicle’s cabin. It also protects from the bacteria and microbes constantly floating around in the air we breathe. By understanding how to change your car’s cabin air filter, you can avoid threats from dangerous contaminants and keep your air conditioning system running at peak efficiency throughout the year.

Step 1 — Gather the Materials

Most car manufacturers recommend changing the cabin air filter every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. While most lube shops will change the filter for you, they may charge you $50-$60. Fortunately, changing the cabin air filter is a straightforward process, and the only things you typically will need are a screwdriver and a new filter. Consult the car’s owner’s manual to determine which replacement filter you need.

Step 2 — Locate the Cabin Air Filter

Most manufacturers place the cabin air filter behind the glove box on the passenger side. However, the location will vary between manufacturers, so consult the owner’s manual to find where the cabin air filter is. If your filter is located behind the glove box, you will need to remove the glove box by unscrewing the hinges and tilting the glove box downwards until it comes free. Once the glove box is removed, you should access the cabin air filter tray.

Step 3 — Change the Filter

Next, slide the old filter out from the trey. Inspect the filter to get a sense of how dirty it has become. This can help you determine if you need to change the filter more frequently or not. Once you have removed the old filter, replace it with the new filter, making sure that you position it correctly according to the airflow direction. Finally, replace the glove box and turn on your car’s A/C system if necessary. Ensure that the airflow is good and that the A/C system is working as usual.

Changing your air cabin filter is one of the most straightforward DIY car maintenance projects that you can do. It’s essential to change the filter according to the manufacturer’s recommendations or more frequently. However, if you don’t feel comfortable changing your cabin air filter, consult your mechanic to get the filter changed and the air cleaner inside your vehicle.

Photo by Mihajlo Maricic from Getty Images via Canva Pro
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