Did you know that most cars have more than one air filter? The average vehicle owner is familiar with an engine’s air filter. What most people do not know is that there is also a cabin air filter for the driver and passengers. 

Located in the dash of your car, usually accessible through or under the glove box, you will find a cabin air filter. This filter catches and holds dust, debris, and even pollen, which would otherwise make its way into your vehicle’s cabin. As you travel down the road, air passing over your car enters through the cowling (area at the bottom of your windshield), through the HVAC module (heater and air conditioner) located in the dash, and is blown into the cabin by the blower motor. 

Now, why should you care about this filter? Over time, the cabin air filter becomes clogged, reducing air flow. If you have ever noticed that when you turn on your air conditioning or heater and the air does not seem to be blowing as strongly as it used to, your cabin air filter may be getting clogged with dust and debris. 

A quick check in your vehicle’s owner’s manual or a Google search of your specific make and model should be enough to tell you if you have a cabin air filter and where to locate it. Removal should be as simple as releasing a few plastic tabs or screws, removing the door or cover and sliding the cabin air filter out. Some are directional, so look on the filter itself for an arrow showing the direction of air flow. Some earlier cars have the cabin air filter accessible through the cowling or engine bay areas. 

Replace your cabin air filter each year or whenever the air conditioning or heating efficiency is reduced. Living in rural Nevada, you may need to replace it more often due to the high amounts of dust in the air.

Happy Driving –