A cabin air filter replacement service simply involves replacing the air filter, which is responsible for purifying the air that passes through the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. L&D Auto Specialists's expert technicians will locate your vehicle's cabin air filter and replace it with one of our genuine cabin air filters.
A frequently asked question we get is, "Can I replace the cabin air filter myself?" The answer is yes, you can do it yourself. However, the cabin air filter can be difficult to locate and serves an important function, so come to L&D Auto Specialists to make sure it is fully serviced.
Your cabin air filter may not seem very important, but it is. Cabin air filters keep dirt, pollen, dust and other debris out of your lungs. If you are sensitive to allergens or have respiratory conditions, your cabin air filter can be a lifesaver. We at L&D Auto Specialists have been in business for over 10 years and understand how difficult it is to know when your vehicle needs to be serviced. That's why we've compiled a list of warning signs that will tell you if your cabin air filter needs to be replaced:
When the temperatures start to rise and you begin to consider turning on your car's air conditioner, take a moment to consider the last time you had your cabin air filter replaced. If it's been more than a year or you can't even remember, bring your vehicle to L&D Auto Specialists and let our technicians inspect it so you can be sure you're breathing clean air.
Even if you're not aware of it, your cabin air filter is constantly working to provide you and your passengers with fresh, clean air to breathe while you're on the road. Since contaminants from outside can enter the passenger compartment through the air conditioning unit, the filter helps remove these toxins before they enter your breathing space. However, if the filter is old and saturated, it will not be able to function properly, exposing you and your loved ones to harmful particles that can cause health problems down the road.
If you are concerned about your safety, don't be. The cabin air filter should be replaced every 13,000 miles, according to most technicians. This figure, however, can vary depending on the age of your vehicle, your driving habits and the level of air pollution in your area. So it's not a bad idea to stop by our shop and have our expert mechanics examine your favorite vehicle. If a new filter is needed, we'll install it as soon as possible. This service is especially important during the hot summer months, when you're constantly rattling the air conditioner.
Inside your vehicle, there are two types of air filters: the cabin filter and the engine filter. The one in your powertrain acts as a mechanical barrier, trapping any particles that try to pass between the components under the hood. The other one that services the interior of your vehicle, on the other hand, is located inside the vent. It serves the same purpose of trapping dirt and debris, but keeps them out of your airstream. This component is critical to the health of passengers riding in the passenger compartment, as it ensures that dirt and grit are not inhaled when the heater or air conditioner is turned on.
If it's time to change the cabin filter, you may notice some telltale signs that it's time for a visit. First, if you notice any unpleasant odors coming from the air vents, this is a warning sign. Second, when you turn on the heating or cooling, watch for reduced airflow coming out of the vents. This is a symptom that the air filter has become clogged with particles and is no longer allowing airflow to pass through. Third, hearing a hissing sound may indicate that oxygen is struggling to enter the cabin. Fourth, be on the lookout for frosted windows that are slow to clear in winter. Finally, you can always inspect the cabin air filter yourself to see if it is brown or clogged with dust. It is usually located behind the glove box.
You can come to L&D Auto Specialists when it's time to replace it. Our team of experts will be able to quickly identify the problem and replace it. When we're done with this work and any other repairs you need, your car will run like new.
Cabin air filters, which remove particulates and sometimes odors from the air that enters the vehicle through the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, are becoming increasingly common in new vehicles. Cabin air filters are usually standard equipment on high-end models, but are also available as a stand-alone option or as part of an option package on other vehicles. Some high-end vehicles have two or more cabin air filters.
The types and sizes of contaminants a cabin air filter can trap vary depending on the filter design. Dirt, dust, leaves, twigs, insects, soot, smog, mold, pollen, mildew, spores, fungi, bacteria, germs, rodent droppings and other undesirable debris are some examples.
A cabin air filter not only improves air quality, but can also influence vehicle safety. According to the Filter Manufacturers Council, 40 million Americans suffer from allergies caused or aggravated by airborne particles. A cabin air filter can reduce or eliminate symptoms such as sneezing, blurred vision, runny nose and headaches that could distract a driver and cause a collision by removing these contaminants.
The pleated filter media in most cabin air filters looks like paper, but is actually a more complex material made of natural and/or synthetic fibers. The physical characteristics of the filter trap most contaminants and, in many designs, the passage of air over the filter creates an electrostatic charge that traps and traps smaller particles. Quality filters can have several layers that support the filter media and provide different levels and types of filtration.
Cabin air filters are not all the same. The price of a cabin air filter increases in direct proportion to its quality. A basic filter may cost $15 at a local parts store, while a premium OE part from a dealer may cost $50 or more.
Standard cabin filters typically trap particles between 5 and 100 microns with an efficiency of about 98%. Most contaminants are included, but smaller particles of mold, spores, soot and tobacco smoke are not.
HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) cabin air filters can trap even finer particles. Based on industry standardized testing, one major supplier claims that its high-quality HEPA cabin air filters have a filtration efficiency of 99.97% at 0.3 microns. HEPA filters are more expensive, but provide the best protection against airborne particulates.
In addition to filtering particulates, many cabin air filters are chemically treated with activated carbon, which gives them a gray appearance and helps eliminate odors. Exhaust odors from incomplete combustion include ammonia, sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides, hydrogen sulfide and benzenes. Some cabin air filters combine charcoal with baking soda to neutralize a wider range of odors, such as human body odors, wet dogs and mold.
When determining if your car's cabin air filter needs to be replaced, there are three factors to consider:
Cabin air filters are located in the ducts that connect the HVAC system to the outside air. In some vehicles, the filter is located near the bottom of the windshield in the engine compartment. In others, it is hidden under the dashboard or behind the glove box. Most cabin air filters can be replaced without tools in less than 15 minutes, although some take a little longer and may require removal of the fasteners holding the glove box or interior panels. Check with your local auto repair shop if you need help replacing the filter.
There is also good news for drivers whose vehicles do not come equipped with a cabin air filter. Many automakers use the same HVAC ducts on all trim levels of a given model to reduce the number of different parts they have to manufacture. As a result, if the owner's manual mentions replacing the cabin air filter, there's a good chance the car is equipped to accept one, even if it wasn't installed at the factory. Simply follow the replacement instructions to see if the ductwork has the required filter housing.
Annual replacement of a cabin air filter is important for maintenance because it keeps the air entering the cabin clean. Contaminants, dust, pollen, smog, mold spores and debris are removed from the air by the filter before they enter the cabin and your lungs. A new cabin air filter can help you avoid costly air conditioning system repairs. This is because dirty air makes the air conditioner work harder. A new cabin air filter will keep your air conditioner running smoothly all summer long.
While most people are aware that the engine air filter needs to be replaced, far fewer consider changing the cabin air filter. But, if you're taking the necessary precautions to make sure the air going into your engine is clean, why not do the same for the air you'll be breathing? The cabin air filter keeps dust, pollen and other contaminants out of your interior cabin through the climate control system.
The cabin air filter should be replaced every 15,000-25,000 miles as a general rule. However, other factors, such as your driving environment, can shorten the life of these filters. For example, if you frequently drive in a densely populated urban area, the filter will need to be changed more frequently due to the higher amount of dust/pollutants being filtered out. However, due to the large amount of pollen that will be filtered out, this can also occur when driving in a more rural area. In either case, it is critical to be aware of the age of your filter.
Any existing repair or allergy issues should also be taken into consideration. If these are a concern, you may want to consider changing your cabin filter more frequently. According to some studies, the air inside your vehicle can be up to six times more polluted than the air outside.
A cabin air filter costs between $15 and $25 on average. The labor cost to replace the filter is $36 to $46, but you may end up paying more if it's hard to reach.
Most of us worry about the quality of the air we breathe at home, at work and outdoors. But what about inside our cars?
Top mechanics tell our research team that many drivers overlook their cabin air filters. Some people don't know that their car, SUV or light truck contains this component, which is critical to keeping contaminants out of the passenger and driver compartments.
Cabin air filters have been standard equipment on most vehicles since 2000. They filter the air circulating through automobile heating and cooling systems to remove dust, pollen, smog, mold spores and other contaminants and irritants such as leaves and rodent droppings.
Automotive experts advise changing the cabin air filter once a year, or every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. However, for specifics on your vehicle, consult your owner's manual. Paying attention to the filter not only ensures cleaner air, but can also prevent a costly repair because a clogged filter forces your vehicle's air conditioning system to work harder.
Cabin air filters range in price from $15 to $25. If you are willing to do the work to locate and remove it, you can change one yourself. The filter is usually found behind the glove box, under the hood or under the dashboard. You may have to remove the glove box to get to it. Beware of any pins or clips that may be used to secure the filter.
Mechanics say they charge $40 to $100 for parts and labor, depending on the make and model of the vehicle. Filters for some models, such as BMW, may be available only through a dealer.
Because of our strong partnerships with local parts suppliers, we can deliver top-quality parts for any make or model very fast. In many cases, we can complete auto and body repairs the same day! All of our technicians/mechanics are experienced on both domestic and imported vehicles, including:
Olathe is the county seat of Johnson County, Kansas, United States. It is the fourth-most populous city in the Kansas City metropolitan area and Kansas, with a 2010 population of 125,872. By 2019, the Census Bureau estimated Olathe's population had grown to 140,545.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 60.42 square miles (156.49 km2) of which 59.66 square miles (154.52 km2) are land and 0.76 square miles (1.97 km2) is covered by water. Olathe has two public lakes: Lake Olathe with 172 acres (0.70 km2) of water surface and Cedar Lake with 45 acres (0.18 km2).
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