If you have recently gotten an oil change, the technician may have put together a list of recommended services that you may want to have performed. One of the services that is often on these lists is replacing the cabin air filter. This is a part that not many people are familiar with. Learning more about what this part is, why it is important, and how often it should be replaced will help you learn whether you should tell an auto technician to replace it or whether to leave it be.

What Is a Cabin Air Filter?

A cabin air filter is typically located under the glove box area in your car. This filter helps to clean the air that is entering your car through your heating and cooling system. Just like any other type of air filter, it helps to catch dirt, dust, and pollen.

How Often Should a Cabin Air Filter Be Replaced?

A cabin air filter should be replaced every 12,000 to 15,000 miles. However, if you have breathing problems such as asthma, are an allergy sufferer, or live in an extremely dusty or pollen-filled area, you may want to replace your filter more frequently.

Are There Any Signs That Your Cabin Air Filter Needs to Be Replaced?

There are two signs that your cabin air filter needs to be replaced. When the filter is full, less air is able to flow into your car. As such, you may feel less air being blown into your car when you have the vents opened or the heat or air on in your car. The second sign that your cabin air filter needs to be replaced is more dirt or dust in your car. If the dashboard of your car is getting dustier faster, the filter isn't filtering well. This is likely because it is full.

What Happens if You Don't Replace the Cabin Air Filter?

If the cabin air filter is not replaced timely, your car is not going to break down or die. However, it will impact the air you breathe in your car. The air will have more dirt, dust, and pollen in it, which may trigger your allergies or breathing conditions you may suffer from, such as asthma.

If you are handy with cars, you should have no problems replacing the cabin air filter yourself. However, if you are not, you may want to leave this task to a professional, as the filter can be challenging to remove. Getting answers to the question you have will help you identify when it is time to replace the cabin air filter. To learn more, contact a company like Leo's Automotive.