Your car air conditioner’s cabin filter or pollen filter prevents outside pollutants and contaminants from entering the car so you don’t breathe them in. With the increase in traffic levels on our roads comes an increase in pollution levels, so it’s important to be sure your air conditioner filter is working properly to screen out harmful toxins and chemicals.
Just as you change the air and oil filters in your car’s engine when you have it serviced, so you should replace your cabin air filter when you have your air conditioning serviced.
The cabin filter plays several major roles in keeping your car’s air quality at its optimum. It will filter outside pollutants such as pollens, dust and odours and prevent them from entering the car through the fresh air mode on the car’s air conditioning system.
If you don’t replace the pollen filter, it will become clogged and reduce the amount of air that can be distributed throughout the car’s cabin, which in turn will affect the cooling performance of the air conditioning.
It is recommended to inspect the pollen filter at regular intervals of at least six months, and change the filter every 12 months, or sooner if you suffer from hay fever, asthma or allergies. Check your owner’s manual under scheduled maintenance to see what’s recommended for your vehicle.
Most late model vehicles on the Australian market, both imported and locally manufactured, are equipped with cabin pollen filters to filter the fresh air entering the vehicle through the vents. These filters can be cleaned, however for the relative low cost of replacing the filter; it is safer to just replace it.
There are two types of cabin air filters your car might have:
Pollen cabin air filters stop all particles smaller than 1 micron, such as bacteria, pollen, and exhaust gases. This ‘pollen stop’ effect captures even the smallest particles, and filters out particles that could enter the lungs through your mouth and nose, causing asthma and allergies.
Activated carbon cabin air filters stop not only all particles, but also odours from entering the vehicle cabin. The filter consists of three layers: an active carbon layer placed between two layers of non-woven fibres. This special structure reduces the concentration of noxious and odorous gases that can cause headaches and coughing, and keeps unpleasant smells out of the car
Protect yourself, your passengers, and your expensive air conditioning system all by replacing your pollen filter regularly. When it comes to your car air conditioning cabin filters, it’s best to consult with a professional.
At CMS Auto Air, we’re your local experts for car air conditioning services, repairs and re-gassing. We offer professional advice on replacing your cabin air filter and the best type to use in your vehicle.
Call us on 0419650111 or fill out our online enquiry form and we’ll get back to you shortly.
Servicing Newcastle, west and north Lake Macquarie, Kurri Kurri, East Maitland, Thornton, Stockton, Dudley, Belmont and locations in between.
