How Often Should You Replace Your Cabin Air Filter?
April 13 2024 - Lindsay Volkswagen of Dulles

Many components require replacement and maintenance on your vehicle, including the cabin air filter. You may be wondering, “How often should I change the cabin air filter?” Whether you’re a new vehicle owner in Springfield or not, it’s understandable if you’re not sure what this item is or what it does. Let us fill you in on all the important information regarding what a cabin air filter in a car is and when to change the cabin air filter. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to our Sterling team or schedule a service appointment if it’s time to put in a cabin air filter replacement. We explore how often to change a pollen filter below.

What is a Cabin Air Filter?

So, what is a cabin air filter in a car and what does a cabin air filter do? Located behind the glove compartment in most vehicles, the cabin air filter is responsible for filtering the air that enters the cabin of the vehicle through the heating and A/C system. This piece of equipment is critical to keeping air quality healthy inside your vehicle, as it filters out things like:

  • Dust
  • Mold spores
  • Pollution
  • Pollen

Do you know how often to change the pollen filter? Over time, a clogged cabin air filter is inevitable, which will affect your vehicle’s interior air quality. You may now be asking, “How do I know when to change a cabin air filter?” Luckily, cabin air filter replacement is easy.

When to Change My Cabin Air Filter

Unfortunately, many people don’t even realize they have a cabin air filter, much less that it needs to be replaced! It’s essential to keeping your cabin’s air quality high, though, so it’s something you’ll want to stay on top of on a regular basis.

How often should I change the cabin air filter? We receive this question a lot, and the answer is dependent on the make, model, and year of your vehicle. You’ll want to check your owner’s manual for verification. In general, though, most cabin air filters should be replaced somewhere between every 15,000 and 30,000 miles. You may also notice any of the following signs:

  1. Reduced airflow when climate control systems are on
  2. Lingering unpleasant odors
  3. Increasing dust settling on vehicle surfaces

Where Should I Get My Cabin Air Filter Replaced?

Now that you know how often to change the pollen filter, you may be wondering where you can go to take care of this service. Cabin air filter replacement can be a simple task in most vehicles.

How to change a cabin air filter: 

  1. Take a look at your owner’s manual. Here, you can find where the air filter is located for your specific vehicle. This will determine how difficult or easy it is to replace the cabin air filter.
  2.  The cabin air filter should be easily accessible if it is behind the glove box or under the hood. However, if it is under the dashboard, this could present more of a challenge.
  3. Protect yourself by wearing gloves and a mask. Sometimes, removing the dirty air filter can get a bit messy.
  4. Replace the old air filter with a new, clean one.

If you prefer to leave this task to the professionals, thankfully cabin air filter replacements aren’t going to cost you an arm and a leg, as this is a fairly easy service. If you’re a driver around Tysons Corner or Alexandria, then you can get your cabin air filter replaced in no time at Lindsay Volkswagen of Dulles. Check out our current service specials for added savings.

Visit Lindsay Volkswagen of Dulles Today

How often should I change the cabin air filter? Reach out to the experts at Lindsay Volkswagen of Dulles for more information. Check out our current service coupons, schedule service online, or simply stop by our Sterling dealer. Our service center is open Monday through Saturday, and you can reach out to us by phone at 844-230-4218.