Why Do I need to change the air cabin filter in my car?

One of the most common problems we see at Precision Auto Repair is when people skimp on regular maintenance on their car.  They come in for regular oil changes and such, but balk at spending to maintain other basic functions of the car. One such problem that arises when this happens is they neglect to change the air cabin filter. It's an easy one to say "oh, not today", but   most people  don’t understand the real dangers of not changing air cabin filters regularly – partly because of the way cabin air filters have been marketed. Why? Because they think if it doesn't smell bad, no need to change it. Really.

But many problems occur when it isn't obvious by smell alone. The reality is that a foul-smelling cabin is not the most pressing problem drivers will face if they never change the cabin air filter or don’t change it often enough. Depending on the season or weather conditions, a clogged cabin air filter can be downright dangerous. Suddenly, a clean cabin air filter is less about comfort and more about safety.

When a cabin air filter gets clogged, a lack of airflow will occur in the dashboard vents and will result in poor defrosting and defogging as well as reduced air conditioning and heating within the car. The other problem is the added stress that gets put on the system's blower motor. If air flow gets completely blocked, it can cause the motor blower to fail.  Trust me when I say that when this happens, it would have been much less expensive to replace the air cabin filter. 

Changing the cabin air filter isn’t just about air quality –it is also a safety concern and the maintenance is very important to the overall health of your car. 

We check your air cabin filter when we inspect your vehicle at every shop visit and will let you know if it needs replacing.  If you have further questions, or would like to schedule an appointment please visit our home page at precisionautorp.com or give us a call at 763-497-1677.  

Thanks! 

​Rob and Rudy