Filtering the Differences: Cabin and Engine Air Filters Explained

Routine maintenance is essential for every machine’s operability, especially a motor vehicle. Much like a long-term financial investment made on the stock market, recouping a return on a vehicle is paramount—and while you might be attentive to the key items of vehicular maintenance, such as oil changes and tire rotation, other lesser items still need just as much attention for your vehicle to function correctly. Among these are the air filters for your engine and cabin.

How do they work? Why are they so important? Today, we’re going to provide a detailed explanation; we’ll go over their purposes, the differences between them, and why they’re essential for the sustainability of your vehicle. This way, the next time you’re looking for car air filter replacement near Monroe, you’ll know why the best resource to trust is right here at McCluskey Chevrolet.

Your Engine Filter: What You Need to Know

Your vehicle is an ecosystem of different mechanical elements working in concert to keep running appropriately. Aside from the major moving parts—such as your engine and transmission—other items play an integral role; among these is air—yes, air—whose oxygen mixes with fuel to cause a series of small explosions that allow the internal combustion engine to propel the vehicle forward.

Your vehicle’s air intake system brings in oxygen and mixes it with fuel in the combustion chambers—and, as anyone will tell you, sometimes air quality isn’t always stellar. If you live in a dry or dusty climate, numerous particles and contaminants might be in the air on any given day. When the air is pulled into the engine through the air intake, the air filter serves as a first line of defense and keeps dirt and debris from contaminating the mixture of fuel and oxygen.

The combustion process requires clean air. If, for any reason, the air is dirty, it can cause severe damage to your vehicle. How severe? It can degrade your cylinders and piston rings, leading to costly repair bills. The good thing about engine air filters is that they don’t need to be replaced or attended to as frequently as an oil change or tire rotation.

The necessity for replacement can depend on the kind of vehicle you drive, the environment in which you spend the majority of your time, and your regular activities. For instance, if you do a lot of off-roading, it’s best to get it changed more frequently; your engine’s air filter should be replaced every 15,000 to 30,000 miles.

Aside from causing potential damage to the internal properties of your engine, neglecting to fix the engine air filter can result in diminished fuel economy. While many modern vehicles have sensory arrays that can detect a potentially faulty mixture of oxygen and fuel as well as a clogged air filter, these sensors can still miss some of the minute particles that an air filter can stop before it reaches the engine.

As we mentioned, the consistency of when you’ll need your engine air filter replaced will vary. A good rule of thumb is to have it looked over by a mechanic at least once a year—maybe even twice, depending on how much and how often you drive. Another good rule is to check it during every other oil change. On average, drivers have the oil in their vehicles changed every 7,500 miles; having the filter checked every 15,000 miles is an excellent preventative measure to ensure your filter remains in good shape and functions correctly.

Your Cabin Air Filter: What You Need to Know

The air filter in your engine is meant to protect it from harmful contaminants that can cause intense damage during the combustion process. The air filter in your cabin works similarly, but it is geared toward providing a clean and efficient HVAC system that can thus provide a healthy environment for you and your passengers.

The air that emerges from the vents of your vehicle’s HVAC system comes from one of two locations, depending on which setting you have. If your HVAC system is set to recirculate, the air that’s already in your cabin is being employed. Otherwise, it comes from a ventilation system that’s located at the base of your windshield. Either way, the cabin air filter is essential in maintaining a constant air quality that’s safe to breathe.

Each vehicle is different, but the cabin air filter is most likely located in the dashboard. Like the air filter that’s part of your engine, it’s advised that you have it checked and changed every 15,000 miles. This is not only essential for your HVAC system to operate correctly, but it’s imperative for your health.

Over time, your HVAC system can accumulate significant dust, especially in the vents and blower system. This and any excess moisture in your vehicle can be a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and other allergens that can cause significant health problems and exacerbate pre-existing conditions such as asthma.

Numerous indications signify that you should get your air filter replaced immediately. Many of these have to do with the quality of the air that’s in your vehicle or the performance of the HVAC system itself. If you’re not getting good airflow from your HVAC unit—even when it is turned on to the maximum—it usually indicates a clogged filter; the next step would be to have a technician inspect it to diagnose this issue.

A pressing matter that can indicate a filter replacement is the scent of the air from your vents. While mold has the potential to be dangerous and sometimes difficult to spot if it begins to manifest in your HVAC system, it often has an odor that’s relatively easy to detect. If you think mold is developing anywhere in your HVAC system, bringing your vehicle in for an inspection as soon as possible is essential. Even if it isn’t in your HVAC system, it might be where moisture has accumulated due to a recent spill.

Filtering Out Potential Issues Before They Happen

A common phrase that perfectly applies to vehicle maintenance is “pay a little bit now or a lot later.” More often than not, drivers learn this critical lesson far too late and, as such, have to pay enormous repair bills that could have been avoided if proper and timely maintenance schedules were paid attention to.

We hope that you’ve found this information about your cabin and engine air filters informative and enlightening and that you better understand why taking care of them is so important. Not only will replacing your filters at regular intervals prolong your vehicle’s longevity, but it can also be imperative to living a happier and healthier life.

If you think it’s time to change your filters, the parts and service department at McCluskey Chevrolet is here to lend their assistance. Not only are our technicians trained to diagnose and evaluate when the proper time has come to have your engine or cabin air filter changed, but we can also order OEM parts for your vehicle. Furthermore, we can help provide all the necessary and routine services to ensure your vehicle lasts for several years and thousands of miles.