While a dirty cabin air filter can have an impact on the air conditioning system, a dirty engine air filter can cause engine performance issues. This is understandable, considering that your car can use more than 10,000 gallons of oxygen for every gallon of fuel burned. Although a dirty cabin air filter usually doesn't lead to engine problems, it will cause the car's HVAC system to work harder than it needs to. This can result in the engine overheating or even burning out, as clogged or dirty filters will reduce the amount of air flowing through the vents. Insufficient airflow affects cabin air temperature, which depends on whether air can pass through the heater core, evaporator, or both.
Failure to replace a dirty or clogged filter will affect the efficiency of your car's heating and cooling system. Poor efficiency can cause other issues, such as loss of air volume, bad odors in the cabin, or premature failure of HVAC components. Simply replacing a dirty filter can make a huge difference in car air quality. Many car owners neglect cabin air filters when maintaining their vehicles. This is mainly due to the fact that most people don't even know that this discrete filter exists, as it usually doesn't occur to you when changing spark plugs and engine oil.
However, a dirty cabin filter can drastically reduce the performance of your car's air conditioning and heating system. A cabin filter filled with debris would cause the air blower motor to malfunction. Your car's air conditioning system will be severely affected. You'll notice it with the lack of airflow in the dashboard grilles. It also reduces the air flowing through it from the air conditioner, reducing cooling that cannot be solved with a refrigerant refill.
In the worst case scenario, a clogged cabin air filter will reduce the air leaving the vents to the slightest breeze. It is still important to keep this filter clean for optimal air conditioner performance and enjoy better cabin air quality. This occurs because poor quality air entering through a dirty filter allows condensation to more easily form on the window glass. If you're servicing your vehicle at a repair shop or dealership, the technician may recommend replacing the cabin air filter. A clogged cabin air filter doesn't reduce engine performance or degrade oil, but it does leave the interior dirtier than necessary. In your car's owner's manual, you can find mileage marks for recommended cabin air filter changes, although they vary by vehicle type and manufacturer.
Like the engine air filter, your expenses are high if you have a mechanic working on the cabin air filter. Without a cabin air filter, dust that is not deposited inside the system will be ejected directly to the occupants of the car. It is also recommended to change engine and cabin air filters once a year or every 15,000 miles. As outside air is drawn into the air conditioner, it passes through the pleated media of the cabin filter, trapping pollen and dirt before it accumulates inside the air conditioning ducts. So why did cars suddenly start including them in 2000? It is due to consumer demand for cleaner air while traveling on the road.
A dirty filter can't do its job properly and filter out contaminants, so it's important to replace your car filter frequently. Changing an old cabin filter is your best defense against pollen attacks and inhaling harmful particles that float in the air. So we've investigated whether a dirty cabin air filter affects car performance and here's everything you need to know: A clogged cabin air filter won't reduce engine performance or degrade oil but it will leave your interior dirtier than necessary. It also reduces airflow from your car's AC system and causes condensation to form on windows more easily. To avoid these issues and ensure optimal performance from your vehicle's AC system, make sure to replace your cabin air filter regularly.
