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When was the last time you changed your cabin air filter?

You might read the title and say, “The what filter?” If you did, this blog is for you! Separate from your engine air filter, the cabin air filter made its debut in 1979.  Think of it as the furnace filter in your home! It didn’t work that well. But the concept of the cabin air filter – to filter out dust and pollen that can enter your vehicle with the heater or vent system – was a good one. That’s why it’s a common feature of cars these days.

The cabin filter has one job: it cleans the air that comes into the interior through the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system. For anyone with allergies, it’s a definite must-have. For anyone else, it keeps the interior of your car from getting dusty and sometimes smells like the traffic jam you just got stuck in.

Usually located in a plastic housing behind the glovebox, this is a small, pleated filter, often made of an engineered material or paper-based multifiber cotton. Getting to it can involve removing the glove box drawer, so a screwdriver is required. Other than that, it’s usually a quick and relatively inexpensive job.

The cabin filter should be changed at every scheduled service, or every 12 months, based on your manufacturer’s recommendation. Depending on how often you drive and where, will also factor into how often you will need to replace your cabin filter. If you drive in heavy traffic in an urban area that has poor air quality, replace your filter annually.

Signs that you will need a new cabin air filter are reduced air flow through your climate control system. This can result in a loss of performance in your heating or air conditioning system. So, when you crank up the fan too high or it makes more noise than usual (or if you smell a persistent bad odor) it’s time to change that filter. Even without these signs, replacing the cabin air filter should be done yearly.