The Difference Between Car Air Filter and Cabin Air Filter
2 Answers
Differences between car cabin air filter and engine air filter: 1. Different locations: The cabin air filter is located inside the glove compartment on the passenger side, accessible by removing the cover panel; the engine air filter is housed in a box on the right side of the engine under the hood. 2. Different functions: The cabin air filter purifies outside air entering the vehicle through the AC system, protecting occupants; the engine air filter cleans air entering the engine, safeguarding the engine. 3. Different replacement intervals: The cabin air filter should be replaced every 10,000 km or 6 months (adjusted based on driving environment - shorten replacement to 3-6 months in humid or smog-heavy conditions); the engine air filter requires replacement every 15,000 km, with shorter cycles recommended during severe smog or pollen seasons.
Last time during maintenance, I was tricked into replacing an extra filter before I understood the difference. The air filter manages the engine's breathing, hidden under the hood, mainly blocking dust, leaves, and other debris. If not replaced on time, the engine will lose power like a person with a cold, and fuel consumption will skyrocket. The cabin air filter is different; it's located behind the glove box on the passenger side and directly determines whether the air blowing out is clean or not. With air quality being so poor nowadays, I make sure to replace it every year before summer, or else I end up sneezing every time I turn on the AC. The mechanic said a regular car's air filter costs just a few dozen bucks, but a cabin air filter with activated carbon can run over a hundred—don’t get ripped off.
