Changing Your Auto AC Filter

Your vehicle’s cabin air filter is the part of your car’s HVAC system that filters the air before it enters the car’s cabin. When installed correctly and kept clean, the filter will meet the outside air to trap contaminants before the air enters the passenger compartment. Similar to your home’s HVAC air filter, the one in your car also filters out air containments, such as pollen, mold, bacteria and other debris.

While the best time to replace the cabin air filter is during a routine oil change at the auto shop, some people choose to change it themselves. If this is what you want to do, read on! Below are some top car AC filter tips in Chino, CA to ensure you do the job right.

Signs your cabin air filter needs changing

You should plan on changing your cabin air filter once a year or every 12,000 miles. (Every 5,000 miles is reasonable if you regularly drive on dirt roads or in polluted areas, or if you suffer from allergies.) Replacing the air filter can reduce allergy symptoms and boost the air quality inside the passenger compartment.

If you notice one or more of the following signs when the engine is on, it’s time to change the filter:

• Musty or stuffy odors in your car’s cabin when the engine and AC are running
• Reduced air circulation inside your vehicle
• Poor air conditioning and heating performance
• A whistling sound coming from the cabin air intake

How to change a cabin air filter

Only change the cabin air filter if you’re truly comfortable doing it yourself. Before you begin, take a look at your owner’s manual for specifications and DIY replacement instructions. Put on some gloves when ready to begin, and refer to the steps below:

• Remove glove box pin: Open the glove compartment and take everything out of it. Find the pin on the outside edge of the glove box, remove the screw, then slip the pin out.
• Lower the glove box: Carefully press inward on both sides of the glove box—don’t force it. Once it lowers, you’ll see the black cover protecting the cabin air filter.
• Remove the old filter: Squeeze the tabs on the sides of the cover inward to release it. Pull the old filter out.
• Clean the filter case: The old filter will likely be full of dirt and dust, some of which gets left behind in the filter housing. Vacuum it out before installing a new air filter.
• Put in a new filter: Make sure you install the filter properly. There should be an arrow on the edge to indicate direction. Once secure, replace the cover and snap it into place.
• Reattach the glove box: Lift the glove box back into place. Replace the screw and shut the glove box.

If after reviewing these car AC filter tips in Chino, CA you change your mind and want to bring your vehicle into Gabriel’s Automotive & Towing, simply call us to schedule an appointment. We’d be glad to help1

Categorised in: Auto Air Conditioning

This post was written by Writer