Based on the characteristics of the smell that enters the vehicle interior from outside, one can judge whether the filter is worn out. In the case where this part has not been replaced for a long period, it will be a source of a not very pleasant aroma. This is due to the accumulation of waste. The service life of the cabin filter is indicated in the instructions. On average, it should be changed after 10 - 20 thousand mileage. It is worth considering that the manufacturer indicates the service life under normal conditions. The period of suitability will be halved if the transport is operated in a metropolis and the person spends a lot of time in traffic jams.
To the exact address
You can find many products on the market that look good and have an attractive price. Many buyers make their choice based on the appearance of the product and its low price. But there is a huge distance between the appearance and the quality of operation of the cabin filter. Sometimes you just want to wonder: is such a filter even capable of fulfilling its duties?
There is a simple rule that can suggest the right choice. On a high-quality filter, the country of production must be indicated: made in... You can find products that mimic Japanese or German ones, but have nothing in common with them, and only because the country of origin is not indicated. The rule is this: if you can’t find out where the filter was made, don’t buy it without regret!
How to choose a quality filter?
The filter's dust transmission coefficient should be no more than 1%, but in practice many high-quality filters cope with this task even better, passing 0.5% of dust or less. Since the filter is in contact with external air, and therefore with the water vapor, fuel, and gases contained in it, it is important that the material from which it is made is strong enough, does not get wet, stick together or deform. The filter must withstand high temperatures without risk of fire. And of course, the accuracy of compliance with the air filter dimensions specified for a specific model, the reliability of connections and the quality of sealing materials are very important. For example, Bosch filters use flexible and elastic polyurethane seals to ensure better tightness and precise fit.
Some car enthusiasts, in an attempt to save money, prefer to buy the most affordable air filters, and try to compensate for low quality by more frequent replacement. But cheap filters often have significant drawbacks - low quality filter paper and a small working surface area (due to the small number of corrugations). And their increased frequency of replacement cannot be corrected in any way, so it is better to immediately buy a high-quality air filter that will not only last longer, but also provide truly reliable protection.
The smell has nothing to do with it
There is an opinion that activated carbon in the cabin filter is only needed to absorb odors. This is true, but only partly. In fact, the absorption of odors is a side effect, a free bonus if you will.
The main task is not to allow nitrogen oxides (which, by the way, caused a Volkswagen fire at the diesel gate), ozone, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide to enter the cabin. These are substances that are very harmful to human health, which the filter is actually supposed to absorb - it is them, and not some odors. Therefore, assessing the performance of a filter by whether it allows odors to pass through or not is incorrect.
How much will a replacement cost?
Almost every motorist has repeatedly wondered about the cost of cleaning equipment for his iron horse. It all depends on the brand and purpose of the filter element for a particular machine.
Let’s say right away that owners of minibuses, SUVs, and large-sized trucks will have to shell out significantly more money for the simple reason that the filter is initially large. The second nuance is the place of purchase and replacement. Official dealers will have a high price , but you will be confident in the quality of the item and will be able, if something happens, to make a claim due to a poor-quality replacement.
The second question is the originality of the component. Modern Chinese analogues, which cost 2 or even 3 times less than the originals, are practically in no way inferior in quality. The service life in both cases is almost the same. Yes, there is a small risk of running into a “fake”, but it’s up to you to decide.
How much does comprehensive body protection cost?
Such a high-tech filter costs about 800–900 rubles. Expensive? How to say. We breathe every day. If we divide the price of a filter by the number of days in a year—filters must be changed at least once a year—we get clean air for 2.3 rubles per day. And this is the price of health! For just over two rubles, you will rid your body of such harmful substances from roads and streets as the aforementioned nitrogen oxides, ozone, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide, as well as carcinogens, soot and even microscopic particles of rubber dust swirling over the asphalt.
Cabin filters for increased comfort and health protection
Bosch FILTER + cabin filters with a special combination of filter layers with activated carbon reliably absorb harmful and foul-smelling gases and filter the air efficiently, separating pollen and fine dust. Apart from this, they also provide additional protection for allergy sufferers. Each filter has a special layer that neutralizes bacteria and allergens. Moreover, such a filter effectively separates even fine dust less than 2.5 microns in size, which reduces the number of allergic reactions such as sneezing, irritation, redness and tearing of the eyes, especially during the flowering period. At the same time, Bosch cabin filters reduce the amount of deposits in the air conditioning system, thereby maintaining its efficient operation.
What happens if you don’t change the filter or drive without it for a long time?
Many drivers naively believe that they can do without a cabin filter, and some deliberately remove it in the winter, increasing the air flow to the air conditioner radiator. It is worth agreeing that, yes, heating works more efficiently, but another problem arises that will appear after a certain period of time.
Without a filter, dust, soot and other small debris will safely settle on the cooling holes of the radiators, thereby reducing air flow. Thus, when trying to improve heating, by the end of winter you will have to clean the radiators of the air conditioning system, which are not so easy to remove and in most cases cannot be done without contacting specialists. Driving without a filter element has a particularly detrimental effect on the operation of the air conditioner; the evaporator begins to become intensively covered with frost, which increases the load on the compressor and reduces work productivity.
While saving a little money on a cabin filter, you will need to spend thousands on cleaning the ventilation system and repairing the air conditioner. So be careful.
Video “Replacing the cabin filter of a Priora with air conditioning”
We invite you to watch a video on how to replace the cabin filter of a Priora with air conditioning. The author of INVENMEN YURIY will also share a little secret with you.
Do you have any questions? Specialists and readers of the AUTODVIG website will help you ask a question
Was this article helpful?
Thank you for your opinion!
The article was useful. Please share the information with your friends.
Yes (100.00%)
No
X
Please write what is wrong and leave recommendations on the article
Cancel reply
Rate this article: ( 5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Discuss the article:
How do you know when it's time to change?
The first sign that it is time to change the cabin filter is a decrease in air flow through the heating system. For example, by setting the maximum ventilation level, there will be less air than it should be. Signs by which you can determine whether it needs replacement:
- An unpleasant odor is a reason that the component needs to be replaced.
- If in the summer the air conditioner barely works in the car, and in the winter the heater blows weakly, then it’s time to change the cleaning element.
- Humidity persists in the cabin and the windows fog up, this is a sign of a component failure. Humidity in the cabin appears as a result of water entering the component, so domestic and Chinese cars are at risk of such a “sore” than foreign cars.
If a car with a climate control system is used for a long time with a clogged component (or without it), then get ready to shell out a tidy sum at the service station. Deterioration of the air system as a result of a breakdown of the cleaning element in 98% of cases provokes freezing of the evaporator radiator. Frozen dirt caught in frost, as it thaws, will contribute to the formation of a favorable environment for microbes and a disgusting odor.
Old filter
Here it is no longer possible to solve the problem by replacing the component alone. The dust and dirt that the cleaning element “missed” has apparently already reached the stove or air conditioner, so you need to dismantle the evaporator and clean it yourself. You can go to a service station, where it will cost more.
Component replacement
If you don’t know how to remove the cabin filter, then you don’t have to go to a car service station. Don't know how to change the cabin filter? This can be done easily without using special tools. Whatever the car, and wherever this component is located, you will need a universal set of tools: wrenches and screwdrivers. Correctly replacing the cabin filter is possible at home, so we suggest that you read the articles on replacing the filter on our website.
Location
Today, most of these components are installed on the inside wall of the glove compartment or under the instrument panel on the driver's side - it all depends on the manufacturer. As for domestically assembled and produced cars, the cabin filter is installed under the windshield or under the hood in a special cassette. To find out where the cabin filter is located in your car, you need to read the operating instructions for the car.
Filter location
What types of filters are there?
The first air cleaning system elements began to be installed on cars in the early 90s. Back then they were almost identical to standard engine air filters. A little later, the structure was improved and they became two-layer. The first layer was intended to prevent dust from entering the interior, and the second layer was intended to eliminate the consequences of the penetration of harmful microscopic particles into the car’s cleaning system. A few more years later, components appeared whose structure contained activated carbon.
Conventionally, these components are divided among themselves according to the method of air purification. They can be:
- Mechanical. In this case, the air passes through a mesh made of special thin fibers.
- Adsorption. The functionality of such components is based on the ability of activated carbon to absorb various harmful substances and unpleasant odors.
New cabin filter
Component arrangement
Using the example of the most complex in its structure - a multilayer air component - let's look at its structure. The top paper layer of the cleaning system element is designed to retain large harmful particles. Under the paper base there is an electrostatic layer, which is needed in order to trap smaller particles. This is followed by a layer based on activated carbon, which prevents exhaust gases from entering the cabin from the outside. The last, fourth layer of the component is an insurance layer that traps all other remaining harmful particles.
What is the price?
Every motorist has asked the question “how to replace the cabin filter?” and how much will it be?". As for the cost of the elements, it all depends on the brand. If you are the owner of a minibus or SUV, then, firstly, the filter will be larger in size, and secondly, it will cost more. If you decide to buy or replace it from an authorized dealer.
Filter location in Audi
If you compare them with prices on the market, they can cost two or even three times more from an official supplier. Note that the purchase of original products in this case is not necessary, since the service life of both the Chinese and the original air purification product is the same. Components made in China may not only be as good as, but even better in quality than the originals.
