How to change a Cabin Air Filter in your car or van in order to relieve Spring and Fall Allergies

Most people know they should change the air filter in their engine, but did you know there may also be a cabin air filter on your vehicle? Many newer vehicles have one or more cabin air filters. A cabin air filter filters the air coming into the passenger compartment from the vents. With a good cabin air filter and the windows closed, you can have filtered air flowing into the passenger compartment.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Vehicle Owner's Manual
• Cabin air filters

1. This is the single most important step: Find your Owner's manual! If you can't find it, order it, or download from the auto manufacturer website.

2. Once you have your Owner's manual, go to the index and look up either "cabin air filter" or "air filter, cabin". If you don't find it, chances are you do not have a cabin air filter. But, you can go to the next step if you want to be sure.

3. Call up your favorite auto parts store (why waste the gas going there) and ask if they have the cabin air filter(s) in stock. Sometimes they don't. You'll need to know the year, make, and model of your vehicle. Sometimes you even need the VIN number. The VIN number can be found on your registration.

4. Once you have your cabin air filter(s) in hand, follow the instructions in your Owner's manual. Each vehicle is different, so there is no way to explain how to do it without knowing the exact vehicle.

Tips & Warnings

• I have a 1999 Pontiac Montana with 2 cabin air filters located side by side in the glove compartment.
• The specifications for my vehicle say to change the cabin air filters once every 12,000 miles.
• If you suffer from spring or fall allergies, make sure your cabin air filter is clean because the cabin air filter will bring filtered, allergen free air into your vehicle if you keep the windows closed while you drive.
• If you don't feel comfortable doing this, bring your cabin air filters to your local mechanic and maybe he'll do it for you and show you how.

[justscott]

on 8/16/2009 Excellent advice! 5* & rec!