Does an Air Filter Make a Significant Difference?

Car air filters can offer a variety of benefits for your vehicle, from improved driving performance to better protection for the engine. By trapping particulates such as dirt, pollen, and dust, air filters can help cool the engine and prevent mechanical damage. But what areas can car air filters make a difference in?To access the air filter housing, simply unclip the clips and lift the top of the housing. Different manufacturers recommend different intervals for replacing the cabin air filter, so it's important to consult the owner's manual.

Generally, engine air filters should be changed every 12,000 to 15,000 miles or approximately every three oil changes. Replacing the air filter regularly can help your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system work efficiently in both hot and cold climates. Installing a high-performance air filter in your car can reduce fuel efficiency and engine life. Cabin air filters are usually flat with numerous folds on the surface. Changing the air filter alone can alter the operation of a car engine with the gearbox and transmission. The most affordable disposable fiberglass filters only meet the minimum (or slightly better), around MERV 2 or 3, and are designed to protect the internal workings of the HVAC system, rather than to protect indoor air quality.

Air filters are designed to trap contaminants such as airborne particles, dirt, dust, and even hazardous vapors. By eliminating air pollutants (both chemical and environmental), your family will be able to breathe cleaner air every day and your electricity bills will also be reduced because your air conditioning unit won't have to work as hard. So what is the difference between a cabin air filter and an engine air filter? Here's what you need to know.

Ericka Boughner
Ericka Boughner

Certified travel junkie. Infuriatingly humble twitter geek. Hardcore food scholar. Award-winning travel buff. Award-winning travel lover. .