How to Clean a Car's Cabin Air Filter?
3 Answers
The cabin air filter can easily accumulate dust. Simply use tools like a blower or high-pressure air gun to remove loose dust. Never wash it with water, as this can easily damage it. It filters out dust, pollen, and other particulate impurities from the air; it provides fresh air inside the car, preventing passengers from inhaling harmful gases and ensuring driving safety. The car's cabin air filter needs to be replaced regularly. Generally, it should be replaced every 10,000-20,000 kilometers or once a year.
Over the years, I've cleaned my car's cabin air filter several times myself. It's quite simple but requires attention to detail. First, the filter is usually hidden behind the glove compartment in front of the passenger seat. Open the glove box, locate the clips on both sides, press them gently to remove the cover, and you'll find the filter inside—typically a rectangular paper box or fiberboard. When removing it, don't rush. Avoid using high-pressure water unless the filter is explicitly labeled as washable. Instead, use a soft brush to gently remove dust or a hairdryer on the cool setting to blow away dirt. Excessive moisture can cause deformation. If the filter is blackened, has a moldy smell, or is damaged, replace it immediately—there's no point wasting time on incomplete cleaning that could breed bacteria. Check it regularly every 3-6 months. After cleaning, the airflow from the AC becomes smoother, and the cabin air feels fresher, which is especially beneficial for people with allergies. When reinstalling, ensure it's aligned with the original position and the arrow direction—don't reverse it, as this can obstruct airflow. Doing it yourself saves a few dozen bucks each time and teaches you some handy tricks.
As a beginner just starting to learn car maintenance, cleaning the air conditioning filter went quite smoothly for me. The filter is usually located inside the glove compartment on the passenger side. After opening it, you'll see a small cover panel inside - just pry it open to pull out the filter. When removing it, be careful not to get it wet. Using a household vacuum cleaner to suck up the dust is the easiest method, or you can gently brush it several times with a soft-bristled brush. If there's not much dust, you can clean it, but don't rinse it with water - it's only suitable for lightly shaking off surface dust. If you find the filter is very dirty or has a strange odor, don't bother cleaning it - just buy a new filter to replace it. You can find cheap replacements online for just 20-30 yuan. After cleaning, the air conditioning runs much smoother, eliminating that musty smell in the car, which is also better for your health. I recommend doing this every 4,000-5,000 kilometers or when seasons change - this way your car will be more comfortable to drive and you'll save money.
