A Guide to Changing Your Car’s Air Filter This Spring

As winter relinquishes its frosty grip on the Stroudsburg area, you’re starting to feel it whenever you drive: the familiar urge to crank up the speakers, roll down the window and let the spring breeze drift in. And for good reason! We’re ready to breathe in all the natural air we can after this long winter – making the start of spring the perfect time to change your car’s cabin air filter. 

As pollen, dust, and other allergens become more prevalent at the start of spring, a constant flow of fresh air is needed to help combat these airborne nuisances. Thankfully, the process of swapping out your air filter is a completely painless one. Courtesy of Abeloff Kia, here’s what you need to know.

What Does Your Air Filter Do? 

Cabin air filters are tasked with purifying the air streaming into the cabin via your vehicle’s HVAC systems. These filters eliminate dust, pollen, mold particles, and additional airborne debris, providing you with clean, revitalized air. Air filters enhance air purity, contributing to a more breathable, allergen-free driving environment. This makes regular filter changes a must if you suffer from allergies. Additionally, air filters help keep your HVAC components functioning while optimizing HVAC system performance. 

Having fresh, clean air in your cabin is essential to safe and healthy driving, and it’s your air filter’s job to maintain that constant airflow. If you’ve been breathing stale or acrid air while driving, a change of filters is most likely needed. Keep an eye on your windshield as well; if you’re find it fogging up easily in humidity, that could be another sign your old filter needs to go.

When it does come time to replace your air filter, you’ll discover there are various types at your disposal, including:

Standard Air Filters: The most common type of cabin air filter. Provides basic filtration for dust, pollen, and other particles. Generally costs between $20-$25 dollars, though they can be even cheaper – such as this filter, compatible with the 2023 Kia Carnival.

Activated Carbon Filters: Excels at absorbing gases and other unpleasant odors. Recommended if you’re focusing on eliminating odors and trapping airborne pollutants. 

HEPA Filters: Or, “High-Efficiency Particulate Air” filters. For advanced filtration, captures smaller particles and allergens. Recommended for those with bad allergies, sensitive respiratory conditions, or who simply enjoy the highest level of air purity. 

How Do I Replace My Air Filter? 

Once you’ve selected your filter type, substituting your cabin air filter is even simpler than you could have imagined. First, locate your air filter box (or, “filter housing”). Opening it may require a screwdriver or another tool, but once that’s complete, the ensuing job should take mere moments.

Remove your old air filter slowly, noting how it’s installed. Snap a picture with your phone if that helps you recall the configuration, because you’ll want to mimic it when inserting the new filter. Take a moment to remove any stray dust and debris in the air filter box that may have blown off the old filter.

Next, simply replicate the placement of the old filter with the new one. Close the air filter box securely, re-tightening its bolts if you had to unscrew them. Before you know it, your cabin will be flooded with fresh air once again.

Filter Happier 

If you’ve detected reduced airflow, unpleasant odors, noises from your vents, or your windshield fogging up quickly amidst humidity, these could all be signs that your cabin air filter needs replacement. Fortunately, you now know that replacing your cabin air filter is a simple, affordable process.

If you encounter any other issues with your HVAC systems this spring, Abeloff Kia is the place to be. Our team of expert technicians will handle all your filtering needs, from air filters to oil and engine filters. Kick off spring cleaning season by purifying your vehicle today with the assistance of Abeloff Kia.