What does a cabin air filter do?

Answer 1

Description: A filter used to clean incoming air for the car's HVAC system. Introduced in European vehicles, cabin air filters are now becoming common on more domestic and Asian makes and models. Some examples include the Ford Taurus, Contour, Windstar and Ford trucks; the Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo, Suburban, Tahoe and Silverado; and the Lincoln Navigator. Japanese cars such as the Honda Accord and Odyssey, and the Acura RL and TL use cabin filters. To date, approximately 40% of cars have cabin air filters, but the number grows each year.

Purpose: The cabin air filter helps trap pollen, bacteria, dust, and exhaust gases that may find their way into a vehicle's ventilation system, making the interior of the car a healthier place.

Another great example is when a used car was owned by a smoker. If they were a heavy smoker, a lot of the smoke gets trapped in the cabin filter, or micron air filter. Replacing the cabin filter will greatly improve upon the smell in the cabin.

If you have allergy problems, run the heat and air system on recirculate and change the filter per the manufacturer's recommendations. If you do so, you will be glad you did!