How To Replace Air Filter In Car

All modern vehicles have an HVAC system, which stands for "heating, ventilation, and air conditioning". It's housed in an elaborate plastic box under the nuance of the vehicle, and has various internal chambers, hoses, vents, actuators, and so along. About mod vehicles have a cabin air filter in the HVAC system, which filters the air that the blower motor pushes through the system.

The purpose of the filter is to make clean particulates from the air and prevent droppings from collecting in the HVAC box, whether it's fresh air from outside or recirculated air from inside the vehicle. Ane of the advantages is that the interior of the HVAC box stays cleaner. It is normal for condensation to build upwards inside, particularly in the area of the Ac evaporator, which causes moisture to build up. In a clean environment, this causes no problem, but if the inside of the HVAC box is full of dust and debris from exterior, it can mold and cause unwanted smells.

A disadvantage of a motel air filter is that information technology restricts airflow to some extent. The blower has to work harder to move air through the filter, and if a filter becomes clogged or if a replacement is overdue, the amount of air circulated tin can become very much reduced. This is besides ane of the means to tell if a cabin air filter needs replaced; if the airflow through the vents is inadequate, the cabin air filter may need to be changed.

Most of the fourth dimension the filter fits into a slot in the HVAC box which has a little door covering it, and it is usually straightforward to supplant. In some vehicles, there is a slot or carrier for the filter, only there is no filter, as the filter was an optional feature on some models.

Cost of Cabin Air filter Replacement

On average it costs about $70 to supersede a cabin air filter at a service facility. At a dealership, the average cost is closer to $100. If you lot just want to purchase one at an auto parts store, the cabin air filter price is about $18, on average.

For some specific examples of the costs on some common vehicles:

For a 2009 Toyota Camry, the cabin air filter is in a slot right behind the glove box door. A factory cabin air filter lists for $39, while a standard aftermarket filter is nigh $18, and an upgraded filter (with an integrated carbon filter, or pollen filter, or HEPA filter rating) costs about $30. The labor to supervene upon it is between $40 and $60.

For a 2010 Ford Escape, the cabin filter is underneath a encompass nether the passenger side cowl, and the labor to supplant it is usually about $70. A factory cabin air filter costs well-nigh $30, a standard aftermarket replacement filter costs about $15, and a premium filter with pollen protection costs most $28. This makes the chore a little under $100 in most places.

For a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, the motel air filter is behind the glove box door, and the labor to supervene upon it is ordinarily around $40. A factory cabin filter costs virtually $34, a standard aftermarket filter costs about $eighteen, and a premium HEPA filter costs about $50. This makes the job between $58 and $xc in most places.

Replacing Your Own Motel Air Filter

replacing cabin air conditioner filter of car

It's worth maxim, a motel air filter is one of the easier things to replace. In most cases, as with the air filter, information technology's made to be checked and serviced regularly (ordinarily non even requiring tools), and most vehicle owners should be able to manage the job. On nearly vehicles, there is a simple procedure to drib the glove box door down, and then a couple of tabs to push to remove the cabin filter door backside it. Exact procedures are often in the owner'south manual, and also available online for whatever given model of motorcar.

The first time a person replaces their own filter it might take a half-hour. The 2d time information technology might take ten minutes, and crave very piffling thought or trouble. Of course, there'southward nada wrong with choosing to have a shop supervene upon the filter, just for this detail, it'southward a fiddling harder to justify paying a $100 per 60 minutes labor accuse; there just isn't that much expertise required.

FAQ

How can I tell if the cabin air filter needs replaced?

A clogged cabin air filter restricts airflow, and the vents may non accident very well. Also, in most places, the motel air filter will be checked when the oil is changed, which is a frequent enough schedule.

Can I supersede the motel air filter myself?

Usually yes, they're fabricated to be serviceable without tools or too much trouble. The owner's transmission should take a guide to replacing the cabin filter, and online guides are common.

Is it better to use an OE filter?

Any adept quality filter should be fine. In many cases, aftermarket filters can be found with meliorate features (such as HEPA filtration) than the OE filter, at nigh the same price or less.

What if I don't use a cabin filter at all?

Everything nevertheless works, and if the vehicle is driven in a clean environment it may brand no difference. But keep in heed – without a filter, whatever dust or pollen or debris at that place is outside the vehicle winds upwards inside the vehicle, if the HVAC is set to "fresh air".