Can You Drive Without Cabin Air Filter? [ Good Or Bad? – Answered ]

You probably won’t need one until it’s working a bit harder than it used to. Your car’s cabin air filter keeps your car’s interior air clean and plays an important role in helping prevent moisture, bacteria, and mold from collecting in the air ducts.

Can You Drive Without a Cabin Filter?

There is no damage or impact to your engine to drive without a cabin filter, however, it is not recommended mainly because of health concerns.

What is a Cabin Air Filter?

Cabin air filters are inexpensive filters usually located in the engine compartment of a vehicle.

Cabin air filters are used with air conditioning systems. They catch particles as small as 1/30 of a millimeter in diameter and help keep the air in your vehicle’s cabin clean. Cabin air filters are recommended to be replaced every three to five years.

An HVAC (high-volume air conditioner), is a type of air-conditioning system, which uses a refrigerant to exchange heat with outdoor air. In order to operate, the air conditioner needs a constant flow of outside air.

The system has a fan that removes the hot air from the room and a condenser, where the heat from the air is absorbed, and a compressor, which pressurizes the air inside the ducts and sends it to the indoor coil fins for cooling.

Importance of Cabin Air Filter

There are a lot of different cabin air filters, but they all do the same thing: they keep carbon and odors out of the cabin of your vehicle. Every time you turn on the heater or A/C or both, the filters get dirty and negatively impact your vehicle’s air quality.

At any given moment, you’re breathing in and out about 5.5 gallons of air, according to research published in Environmental Research. The air you’re breathing determines what you’re inhaling, so it’s fairly logical to use a filter to remove certain types of pollutants from your car’s cabin.

A cabin filter helps remove harmful pollutants from the air you breathe within the car. Some of the pollutants removed from the cabin air include pollen and dust; both contain multiple allergens, which can cause or aggravate allergies or asthma.

But how can you tell when you need to replace this filter? Typically, you can tell when your cabin air filter needs to be replaced if you have a foul smell in your vehicle’s outer air, or if you notice moisture on the ceiling of your passenger compartment. If you hear noises coming from your HVAC unit, it could be a sign that there’s too much debris in the filter, blocking the airflow.

Types of cabin air filter

Pleated cabin air filter

The pleated cabin air filter is a must-have for any car, but it also serves a practical purpose in the cabin. The pleated filter provides airflow that is as good as or better than a conventional pleated filter but is much simpler to install. The pleated filter features large pleats that increase airflow, but at the same time, it does not restrict airflow and does not need any tools to install.

The pleated filter is quite popular among car owners and is used in many car models and variants. They are usually positioned in the front of the vehicle near the windshield and can easily be removed for cleaning and replacement.

Particulate Cabin Air Filter

A particulate cabin air filter is a HEPA filter designed to collect dust, pollen, and microscopic particles from the air. It forms an impenetrable barrier that keeps out large particles and is much more effective than a fabric filter. The airflow is directed through the filter and into the motor, which cannot be blocked by dust particles.

A particulate Cabin Air Filter (PCAF) is a filter that is installed on the outside of an automobile’s cabin to remove the particles that may be emitted by the vehicle’s ventilation system. Particulate matter, or PM, is a potentially harmful component of exhaust fumes and is measured in micrograms. These particles are very small and usually invisible to the human eye. Some of these particles, such as PM 2.5, can be easily inhaled, causing damage to the lungs.

Fabric Cabin Air Filter

The cabin air filter, which is a piece of felt or fabric, is placed in the ducts between the outside and the interior of the car. The cabin air filter catches dust and dirt, which is then captured, removed, and cleaned by airflow.

Carbon Filters

A charcoal air filter is perfect for filtering out the pollutants and dust that are found in urban environments. Charcoal filters work by capturing fine particles such as pollen, dust, and smoke. As fine particles are captured, they become large and block the airflow of the filter.

Activated charcoal cabin air filters are effective, where the filter absorbs contaminants found in the cabin. The activated charcoal can absorb a broad range of chemicals, which makes it ideal in an air filter. They are also made of very durable, sturdy materials and have a strong air flow.

Cabin filters for the HVAC system are relatively inexpensive and do a good job of keeping dust and pollen at bay. Carbon filters are made from charcoal and trap odors inside the filter to prevent them from spreading throughout the air. The filter can easily be installed by simply unplugging the air intake system and replacing it with a new filter.

FAQs

How frequently should I replace a cabin air filter?

We recommend replacing your cabin air filter every 12 months or 12,000 miles. The cabin air filter cleans the air coming into the vehicle and can improve air quality inside the passenger cabin. The cabin air filter can be removed from the dashboard and cleaned using a vacuum cleaner.

The air filter can also be blown by pressurized air to clean dust and pollen particles. This type of cleaning is not recommended as harmful exhaust gases will not be cleaned. Replacing the air cleaner altogether is a better idea.

Will a dirty cabin filter affect fuel consumption?

Cabin air filtration means air entering your vehicle from the outside and it is designed to keep the air in your vehicle clean and fresh. As the air passes through the filter and comes into contact with the hot engine parts it can pick up dirt and bacteria.

Dirty cabin air filters cause reduced mileage, decreased engine performance, and engine wear. This can result in increased fuel consumption.

How much does it cost to replace a cabin air filter?

These cabin filters need to be replaced because they get clogged up with dust, dirt, and other gunk. If you’re struggling with this, you can purchase a cabin air filter cleaning kit from an auto parts store or Amazon. The kits cost around $45 and come with a cartridge and instructions.

With instructions, you can replace a dirty air cleaner at home. However, if you are not sure of what you are doing, you better consult a professional. Wrongfully fitting a cabin air cleaner will expose you to dust, pollen, and harmful exhaust fumes.

Carbon Filters, are They Important?

Things like salt crystals, pollen, and dust in the air can all affect the performance of air filters. The choice between carbon or a pleated air filter can be confusing. In general, pleated filters have suffered from poor reviews, but some people claim that carbon filters can build up a cloud of dust and bacteria that can reduce airflow.

Surfactants in activated charcoal are supposed to help reduce some of the bacterial and viral particles in the air.

Conclusion

If there’s anything that’s proven over the past few years, it’s that driving with a dirty air filter is bad for your car. Follow the car-specific instructions on your owner’s manual to clean your air filters, and you’ll be able to keep your car healthy, shiny, and conducive.

In conclusion, you’re better off making sure you replace your car’s cabin air filter at recommended intervals (every 12,000 to 15,000 miles) rather than taking a chance on driving with dirty cabin air filters that could hamper your fuel efficiency and cause other engine problems.