Dirty Cabin Air Filter Symptoms

An overworked air conditioning system with reduced airflow is less able to keep the a consistent cabin air temperature.

Dirty cabin air filter symptoms.

When to replace the engine air filter. A dirty or clogged air filter can restrict the engine s airflow thereby decreasing the amount of air available for combustion while also throwing off the air fuel ratio. Here are eight tell tale dirty air filter symptoms. A cabin air filter that s dirty or clogged won t filter those contaminants causing problems for those who suffer from allergies or have breathing difficulties.

Most auto companies recommend that you change the air filter every 10 000 to 15 000 miles or every 12 months. The cabin air filter is the filter responsible for filtering the air that is fed into the vehicle s heating and air conditioning systems. But what are the signs of a clogged air filter. These conditions will reduce performance in acceleration and fuel economy.

One of the easiest symptoms to recognize is the appearance of the filter itself. 1 unusual engine noises. Since they work in essentially the same fashion as a regular engine air filter cabin air filters get dirty and should be. As noted above a bad air filter can significantly affect the performance of your car s engine.

Clogged air filter symptoms. An excessively contaminated filter may produce a dusty dirty or musty smell. If you re noticing that the engine does not start up easily it may be due to a dirty air filter. Read on to learn the signs your vehicle needs air filter maintenance so you can keep it healthy and on the road for years to come.

Luckily dirty air filter symptoms are easy to identify once you know what to look for. The air temperature increase caused by a clogged cabin filter may be gradual or significant depending on how the filter is clogged as well as other factors such as the outside temperature and amount of sunlight heating the air as it passes through the car s windows. Highly concentrated air fuel mixtures can pollute the spark plugs which will cause your engine to misfire or miss. Air filter appears dirty.

Another symptom of a bad or failing cabin air filter is an unusual odor coming from the vehicle s interior vents. The filter traps dust pollen and other foreign particles preventing them from entering the vehicle and polluting the cabin. A good rule of thumb is to replace your cabin air filter every february before spring allergy season arrives especially if you live in an area with a lot of trees.