Cabin filters for your car

The cabin filter for your car is mounted as part of the air conditioning system. As a result, you benefit equally from cool and clean air in order to benefit from a pleasant indoor climate in the passenger compartment in the summer months. It is important to check the condition of the dust filter and pollen filter at regular intervals, as these gradually become clogged with dirt, dust and pollen.

Function of the cabin filter and possible problems

Cabin filters are easy to use and replace as handy car parts with a small housing. Depending on the series and manufacturer, they are offered in various formats such as rectangular or square with different frame thicknesses. In the past, pure particle filters were installed, which were primarily intended to collect soot and dust from the ambient air. Today there are multi-layer combination filters that are used as cabin filters and also remove pollen and other sources of interference from the ambient air. With these filters, the classic fleece layer of the filter is supplemented by an additional filter made of activated carbon, which binds a large number of other pollutants.

Cabin filters are classic wearing parts that become clogged over the course of months and the filter function is lost as a result. Typical problems that arise with a cabin filter, its frame and other accessories are:

• Partial or complete clogging of the filter
• Cracks and holes in the filter fabric
• Loss of the filter properties of the activated carbon
• Physical damage, such as in accidents

A clogged filter not only affects the indoor climate. Allergy sufferers in particular feel when the filter is less effective. In the worst case, the accumulation of pollen can concentrate in the filter. If the ventilation is then switched on again for the first time after a long time and operated at high speeds, a high concentration of pollen is distributed in the interior and causes considerable health problems.

What are the signs of a cabin filter failure?

• Misted windows
• Unpleasant odors when turning on the air conditioner
• Restricted function of the air conditioning
• Poor air circulation
• Insufficient air pressure during fan operation

What causes problems with the cabin filter

The most important cause is wear and tear on the filter, which cannot be avoided with any car filter, from the oil filter to the fuel filter. However, the cabin filter in the car can also be installed incorrectly and unprofessionally, so that dust or pollen can get past the fabric and into the interior of the vehicle. Other causes that indicate problems with the filter are:

• Exceeding the lifetime specified by the manufacturer
• Frequent trips on dusty roads and in off-road areas
• Penetration of moisture into the filter
• Intake of gases and other chemicals during fan operation

The fact that the filter is slowly becoming clogged is shown by the decreasing effect of the air circulation. In the autumn and winter months, the windows of the car fog up very quickly from the inside. Unpleasant odors are not uncommon with a long clogging of the filter without replacing the appropriate spare part. In addition, the heating power may decrease or create a smoky smell when the heating is switched on. To prevent these and other problems, most manufacturers recommend replacing these car parts every 10,000 kilometers.

Replace room filters and associated spare parts yourself?

Even non-professionals can change the cabin air filter in the car without requiring a great deal of specialist knowledge. It is not possible to repair the filter or simply replacing the fabric is not worthwhile compared to purchasing these new car parts. The filter is usually only attached to the vehicle with clamps or screws that can be easily removed. The removal and insertion of the filter is then done in a few simple steps.

If you want to change cabin filters in the car, make sure you insert them precisely. The fabric should not be damaged when replacing it, and the frame should also fit exactly into the anchorage provided. If this is not the case, slits are created through which dust and pollen can get into the interior of the vehicle unhindered. For this reason, it is also important to opt for high-quality filters from well-known brands. Only with these are you assured of the exact dimensions that ensure the perfect functioning of the cabin filters in your vehicle.