What Happens If You Don’t Replace Your Cabin Air Conditioning Filter?

When you own a car, you have a lot of responsibilities. If you neglect maintenance and upkeep, your car will experience problems. You can also find yourself paying for expensive repairs. Some services are quick and simple, while others can be more extensive. Others also must occur regularly, but others are seldom but no less important. As you keep an eye on your vehicle and take it in for service, don’t neglect the cabin air filter. Replacing this part is essential. 

What Do Cabin Air Filters Do?

Filters play a vital role in your health and safety. You are undoubtedly familiar with water filters in your kitchen or filters for your air conditioner and furnace. Your vehicle also has filters that you don’t want to forget to change. The air filter for the car’s cabin keeps pollen, dirt, dust, debris, and harmful pollutants from entering your vehicle via the air conditioning and heat vents. The consequences of not replacing this filter can be detrimental to your health. 

What Happens to the Filters?

Like everything else on your car, the cabin air filter will wear out, get dirty, and perform poorly as time goes on. As you keep driving your vehicle, the filter will accumulate an assortment of debris. A small load of dirt, dust, and other items will not be a big concern and should not affect how well it works. However, the older the cabin air filter is, the more clogged it will become. As the debris gathers on the filter, the consequences can be dire. The air in your vehicle’s vents can blow pollutants into the cabin. 

When to Replace Them

It may be difficult to know when to change this filter, but there are a few hints you can follow to stay on track. First, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual for directions. In general, your car needs a new cabin air filter about every 12,000 miles. 

Signs of Trouble

The consequences of a bad filter can be apparent. When you see these clues, it is time to bring your car in for service at Reed-Lallier Chevrolet in Fayetteville, North Carolina. One of the first things you may encounter has to do with the air conditioner or heater. If the air coming out of the vents is weaker than it should be, the cabin air filter could be to blame. You may also notice that your vehicle is getting poor gas mileage or that the engine is working harder to keep your car going. You may also have coughing fits or difficulty breathing while you’re in your vehicle if you don’t change the filter.

Why Make the Change

Changing the cabin air filter may not seem essential at first. For a while, you may not notice a significant difference in the way your car runs. But eventually, the consequences can be serious. Your vehicle’s performance can suffer, causing damage to the engine and its components. You could also pose a risk to your own health and those of your passengers. 

If you are concerned about your cabin air filter, let the experts take a look. Bring your car to the team at Reed-Lallier Chevrolet in Fayetteville, North Carolina, for an inspection. Avoid severe consequences and change your filter at the right time.