One way to educate your customers about the importance of cabin air filters is to talk about what happens when you DON’T replace them on a regular basis (which usually should be at least once a year).
If the cabin air filter is clogged or isn’t functioning properly, the concentration of pollutants inside the vehicle can be six times higher than the outside air! That’s because the exhaust fumes of the cars in front of you are getting sucked into the interior of your vehicle, along with industrial pollution, pollen, diesel particulate matter and other irritants. Yuck!
Driving around with a clogged cabin air filter is like stuffing a dirty sock into the HVAC inlet pipe. A dirty cabin air filter becomes a trap for debris, mold and bacteria, creating nasty odors and unhealthy air inside the passenger compartment. A plugged filter also restricts airflow through the HVAC ducts, which can reduce the efficiency of the heater, defroster and air conditioning.
Even though most newer vehicles are equipped with cabin air filters, the majority of motorists don’t even know they exist. That’s why it’s important to educate your customers about cabin air filters, and to remind them that when they replace a cabin air filter, it’s their health and they’re vehicle that they’re protecting.