- Deplete the glove box by opening it. If necessary, locate a screw on the lower right side and remove it (not all models have this)
- Look for plastic tabs along the glove box’s edges. You’ll see the glove box opening more fully when you press these.
- Then, pick a long, rectangular piece of plastic with two tabsone on each side. The plastic will come off when these tabs are squeezed in, revealing the air filter.
- Cabin air filter should be taken out and changed.
- Reattach the plastic strip and put the glove box back together by following the reverse directions.
Congratulations, you’ve just replaced your air filter. When you use the heater or the air conditioner, the air will circulate better and cleaner.
In This Article...
Do I need a cabin air filter to drive?
Even if a broken or malfunctioning cabin air filter has no direct effect on the performance of your engine, it is still not a good idea to do it. especially if you are turning on your heater or air conditioner. Why? Because a choked filter would restrict airflow in the HVAC system, the system would have to expend more energy to maintain the desired temperature inside the car. It might eventually need maintenance, mostly due to air filters that aren’t working properly. However, this isn’t even the more important problem. The potential health risk it poses is the major issue.
The significance of having purified air inside your car cannot be emphasized enough. Put things in their proper context. The average American commuter logs 225 hours year, according to a survey. Given that your air filter prevents pollen and dust from entering your automobile through the air conditioner, you put yourself and your family at risk for a variety of potential respiratory conditions. You want to stay away from that, right? Driving without an air filter is therefore definitely not a good idea.
How frequently should a car’s cabin air filter be changed?
However, in general, most cabin air filters should be changed every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. Reduced air flow while climate control systems are active is another indication you might see. persistent, offensive scents.
The number of air filters in a Toyota Corolla.
The 2020 Toyota Corolla has two major air filters. The engine air filter, which is found in the engine bay, is designed to remove potentially harmful particles from the air that could harm the engine of your car.
When should an engine air filter be changed?
It’s a common tale of getting ripped off at an auto repair shop: the salesperson approaches you, kneels down, and hands you what appears to be a filthy air filter, saying, “It appears that you need to change your engine air filter, ma’am. But how can you tell whether your engine air filter has to be replaced or if you’re being conned?
Why should I replace my engine air filter?
The purpose of replacing the air filter isn’t to increase the amount of money you spend at the auto repair shop. In actuality, it’s important for maintaining and performing engine maintenance.
To function, engines require a lot of pure air. The engine air filter stops particles, dirt, insects, and other impurities from harming the engine. Reduced gas mileage, sluggish acceleration, shorter engine life, greater pollutants, and subpar engine performance are all symptoms of a filthy or clogged filter.
How often should you change the engine air filter?
You might want to think about replacing your engine air filter more frequently if your commute involves lots of pauses and construction zones, or if you routinely drive on dirt or gravel roads.
Here are some signs that it’s time to replace your vehicle’s air filter:
- Acceleration that Is Jerky or Slower Than Normal: If you find that your automobile isn’t accelerating as quickly as it once did, there’s a significant probability that the air filter is restricting the amount of air that gets into the engine. When you hit the gas pedal, you could experience jerky acceleration as well.
- Reduced Fuel Economy: A clogged filter makes the engine work harder to produce the same amount of power, which reduces gas mileage.
- Unusual Sounds: When the car is idle, a dirty or clogged air filter frequently causes a variety of odd noises. Unusual noises could indicate that the engine of your car isn’t getting adequate ventilation.
- You can also visually check your engine’s air filter for dirt. If you are having problems locating it, you can consult your owner’s handbook as it is typically simple to obtain. It’s time to change your air filter if it’s covered in a lot of dirt, debris, or grease. Uncertain if it’s too filthy? Place the filter in front of the light. It’s time to replace your air filter if there is no light visible through the filter.
How long does it take to replace my vehicle’s air filter?
Depending on your car model, installing a filter is often a quick 5- to 10-minute service. Some models make it harder to replace the air filter, so if that’s the case, it will take our professionals a little longer.
Air Filter Replacement at Virginia Tire & Auto
Visit one of our 17 sites, make an appointment online, or stop by to have your engine air filter changed. In no time, we’ll have you back on the road!
AC impacted by cabin air filter?
Unbelievably, your cabin filter can have an impact on your air conditioning system, and the AC can have a significant impact on the overall power of the car. You might need to increase the AC if your filter is clogged. Your AC’s workload increases as does the engine’s. Your car’s drive train, alternator, and other vital components could operate with less energy. You might think that the car is simply not up to pace when these components that produce horsepower fail. While this is unfortunate news, there is a silver lining: If your automobile looks sluggish, it may not be a serious technical issue, but rather something as straightforward as a blocked filter, which is simple to replace.
The quality of the cabin air is crucial for everyone’s health as well as the long-term maintenance and performance of your car. It’s crucial to breathe clean, fresh air, particularly on lengthy travels and especially on chilly or wet days when you don’t want to open the windows. Make sure to have the cabin filter examined or changed on a regular basis to be on the safe side.
Cabin air filters: do they impact gas mileage?
Surprisingly, a blocked filter can reduce fuel efficiency since it forces your engine to work harder than it needs to. It’s recommended that you change your cabin air filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, but it’s a good idea to check your owner’s handbook first.
What occurs if my cabin air filter isn’t changed?
If you don’t replace your cabin air filter, it will accumulate additional dirt and debris, reducing its effectiveness and that of your car’s HVAC system. The volume of air entering your passenger compartment will gradually decrease, which may cause a problem with unpleasant scents within your car. The air quality in your car will be significantly improved by performing the straightforward task of changing your cabin air filter.
What should the price of a cabin air filter be?
Typically, cabin air filters cost $15 to $50. You could save up to $50 on labor charges if you can complete the replacement yourself.
Can you cleanse the air filter in the cabin?
Cabin air filters are the hidden heroes of having a comfortable environment while driving. The majority of people have no idea they exist. They have a job to do, and that task gets them dirty, just like any other filters on your car. Knowing when to clean a cabin air filter or recognize when a new filter is required is essential for proper cabin air filter maintenance. These filters are found in the majority of vehicles built after 2000, and depending on normal driving conditions, manufacturers typically advise replacing them every 15,00020,000 miles, or about once per year.
Purpose
Cabin air filters assist in removing tiny particles such as dust, mold, pollen, and others from the air inside your car that may be unpleasant or dangerous to breathe in. Environmental toxins can irritate people when they pass through a dirty filter. Additionally, the effectiveness of the heating and cooling systems for the interior of the automobile might be impacted by a filthy or clogged filter.
Removal
Although some are under the hood, just behind the firewall, most cabin air filters are found on the passenger side, under the glove box. There could be one or two, depending on the car. Check your owner’s handbook to learn how to remove the filter(s) properly as different vehicles have different methods for doing so. In some cases, disconnecting the glove box is also necessary. Despite how simple it is to remove the filters, treat them carefully to avoid ripping them. Any amount of wear requires replacement.
Debris
You’ll see that one side is dirtier than the other once the filter has been removed. Look for fading, a buildup of dirt or dust, and rips or distorted pleats. By hand, clear the area of any sticks, bigger debris, or other gathered items.
Cleaning Different Filter Types
There are cloth, carbon, and paper cabin air filters. Never clean paper filters; always replace them. Some fabric and carbon filters can withstand washing and are reusable. Apply water with a hose set to low pressure, sweeping from top to bottom, from clean side to dirty side. Then pour soapy water into a container, submerge, slosh around, and let sit for at least 10 minutes. Rinse it off and let it to air dry on a towel in the sun. Repeat as necessary with a fresh batch of clean, soapy water. Reinstall only when everything has dried completely to avoid developing mold. Reusable filters can only be washed so many times; if they start to look worn or develop holes, it’s time for a replacement.
Maintaining your cabin air filter is an easy method to enhance the quality of the air and boost the effectiveness of your heating and cooling systems.
To learn more about all the filters we have to offer, visit NAPA Online or depend on one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare centers. Visit your neighborhood NAPA AUTO PARTS store to speak with a qualified specialist for more details on cabin air filter maintenance.
How do you determine whether your automobile requires a new air filter?
- A brand-new air filter will be off-white or white. The filter will get darker as more dirt builds up inside of it. Make sure to replace your filter with a fresh one if it appears dark. There may occasionally be dirt in the deeper levels that is difficult to see. If this is the case, a mechanic can investigate.
- Turning on the check engine light
- The air filter may be to blame occasionally for the Check Engine Light to illuminate. Lack of air might cause carbon to accumulate and turn on the warning light. When you bring the automobile in for maintenance, the mechanic can investigate what set off the warning indicator.
- reduced horsepower
- If there isn’t enough air, the automobile will jerk when you hit the gas or won’t react as effectively. The air filter should be changed to resolve this issue.
- Exhaust Pipe Emitting Black, Sooty Smoke
- If there is not enough oxygen present, fuel may not burn as it should. If you see this, you should clean or replace the air filter right away. Additionally warning of this issue, popping noises or flames at the tailpipe can be quite dangerous. If you detect this right away, take your automobile to the shop for repair.
- gas smell when the engine first starts
- You need to change your air filter if your car starts up with a gas smell. The scent is the result of the fuel that failed to burn due to a lack of air leaving it and exiting through the tailpipe.
Why is an Air Filter Important?
Your car’s engine and air filters help them last longer. These filters help maintain the proper balance of fuel consumption by preventing harmful items from getting to the engine and other crucial automotive components.
We hope that these indicators will enable you to decide whether to update your filter. For additional advice on upkeep, follow our blog!