Caricarz Guide to Air Filters – What Are They, How Often Should I Change Them?

Car cabin filters are standard in most late-model vehicles. They are required for a clean, breathable vehicle. Car air filters purify the air that enters your vehicle via the ventilation, air conditioning, and heating system. They remove particles in the air such as dust, soot, and pollen, as well as larger particles such as leaves and insects.

Car cabin filters also help to keep the air conditioning evaporator clean, which can reduce microbe growth and musty odours in your vehicle. What are the various types of Cabin Filters? Even though the job of each filter is similar, there are different types of cabin filters with different advantages and disadvantages. There are four major types of filters:

Particulate filters

A particulate filter is typically made of a porous fibrous material that serves as the primary filtration medium. It traps particles 0.3 microns or larger for particulate filtration. This means that the most basic or standard cabin filter does the job well but does not remove ultra-fine particles.

Charcoal filters

A charcoal filter is more sophisticated than a regular particulate filter. It has the standard porous material as the main filter, as well as an additional layer of charcoal that absorbs microscopic contaminants as well as particulates. Even gaseous pollutants like smoke and exhaust fumes can be reduced to some extent by using a charcoal cabin filter.

Activated carbon filter

An activated carbon air cabin filter is similar to a standard filtration medium, but with the addition of a layer of activated charcoal or carbon. This activated charcoal is a type of carbon that has a higher absorption capacity for gases than regular carbon. In addition to exhaust gases and particulate matter, the activated charcoal layer absorbs odours and fumes such as carbon monoxide. Bacteria and other microorganisms can also be removed by an activated charcoal filter.

Electrostatic carbon air filter 

This is the most sophisticated type of filter, employing a static charge to trap pollutants and particulate matter. Layers of electrostatically charged fibres attract pollutants and tightly trap them as the air flows through the filter. Electrostatic charges can also be used to remove odours, fumes, smoke, and particulate matter.

How frequent do you need to change your cabin filter?

Mileage stamps for recommended cabin air filter changes may be found in your car's owner's manual, though they vary depending on the type of vehicle and manufacturer. Some recommend changing these out every 15,000 miles (24,000 KM), while others recommend changing every 25,000-30,000 miles (40,000-50,000 KM approx.).

Each manufacturer has its own recommendations, so reading the manual for your specific make and model will give you an idea of what it requires.

The area where you drive can also influence how frequently you change the filter. Those who drive in urban, congested, or polluted areas may need replacements filters more frequently. If you live in a place with a desert climate, your filter might get clogged with dust faster, thus requiring frequent changes too.

If you don't have your owner's manual or want to know the signs that your filter needs to be changed, keep an eye out for:

• Reduced/weak airflow from the aircond, even at maximum fan level

• Whistling sounds from air intake ducts

• Foul, musty odours wafting through the air in your vehicle

• Excess noises when the climate control system is running

If you notice any of these symptoms in your car, consider replacing the filter to see if it solves the problem.
While having an air filter is unquestionably necessary, deciding which one to use is entirely subjective. Particulate filters are inexpensive, but carbon and activated carbon filters can cost three times as much. However, the decision must be made based on a variety of factors such as replacement cost, level of pollution around you, and the purpose they serve.