The Best Way to Clean the Cabin Air Filter & Air Filter on Vehicles

Cleaning your car's air filters is a cost-effective way to improve your gas mileage.

Cleaning an air filter rather than replacing it can save you money and reduce the volume of automotive waste products that harm the environment. Automotive filters are relatively easy to clean and you can prolong their useful life considerably.

Equipment

Collect the items you need to clean your filters. You will need the car's owner's manual, a vacuum cleaner, an extension cord and paper towels or a rag. Hook up the vacuum cleaner with an extension cord so it will reach into your car's hood when it's plugged in.

Filter Location

Look in your car's owner manual to find the diagram of the engine compartment. Look for a break-away view that shows the location of the cabin air filter and regular air filter. Pop the hood on your car, locate the filters, and pull them out of their compartments. Some cabin filters can be found in the glove box or under the dashboard, as well. Any filter should be easy to remove without any tools.

Cleaning the filters

Whack the filters on your car's bumpers a couple of times to knock any loose dirt and dust off them, then turn on your vacuum cleaner and vacuum the dust out of the filters. Vacuum the inside of the chamber where the air filters sit, as well. Wipe off any grime that's accumulated inside the filter chambers with a rag or paper towel. Don't scrub, just wipe the surfaces. Replace the filters and put the covers back in place and secure them. Close the hood and click in shut. Perform this cleaning process every 5,000 miles or so to keep your filters dust-free.

References

• The Simple Dollar Blog: Clean Your Car's Air Filter