Breathe Easier (Cabin Air Filter)
August 18, 2025
When you get in your vehicle, how does it smell? If it's not so nice, it may be time to have your cabin air filter changed.
It's not the same one that filters out the air used in the engine. The cabin air filter screens out dust and other particulates from the outside air so when it enters the cabin, you don't have to breathe them in when you're driving. Maybe your commute finds you traveling along dusty rural roads, or maybe you pass by some city factories that have smokestacks spewing out smoky exhausts. Or in spring, maybe you notice your allergies acting up because of the pollen in the air. The cabin air filter will remove a lot of those things.
The more it filters out, the more those small particles add up. That reduces how much airflow the heating/air conditioning system can handle, and you may notice not as much air is coming through your vehicle's vents. That can also be a sign you need your air filter replaced.
Our technicians will remove and inspect the air filter; it's usually located around the glove compartment, under the dash or sometimes in the engine compartment. If you wish, your service advisor can show you what condition yours is in; if it needs replacing, you'll be able to see the dirt, bugs, leaves and other crud that accumulates after several months of driving.
Each vehicle's manufacturer recommends an interval after which your cabin air filter should be replaced. Depending on how much and where you drive, you might find yourself needing a replacement more or less often than the manual suggests.
Just like you clean your furnace filters periodically, it's wise to do the same with your vehicle. After you do, you'll find you might just breathe easier!
Auto Lab Livonia
36251 Five Miles Rd
Livonia, MI 48154
734-432-6000
http://www.autolablivonia.com
Need Service?
More articles from Auto Lab Livonia
Introduction to Diesels for Livonia, MI
April 26, 2026
Something you're going to be hearing a lot about around Livonia, MI, is diesel engines. We're not talking about semi-trucks and buses; we're talking about diesel engine cars, pick-ups and SUVs.Most people in MI are surprised to learn that around half the cars on the road in Europe have diesel eng... More
It's (Not) Complicated (Engine Air Filter)
April 19, 2026
While many components of your vehicle are complex and composed of lots of mechanical and electrical parts, there's one that isn't complicated but still important. It's your engine air filter. (And, we should point out, the engine air filter isn't to be confused with the cabin air filter. The ca... More
Prepare Your Windshield for Winter (Wiper Blades and Fluid for Freezing Temperatures)
April 15, 2026
Winter and freezing temperatures present challenges for different parts of your vehicles. For example, winter tires give you better traction on snow. But some parts of your vehicle that may need special attention for winter are your windshield wipers. You may have found yourself in the middle o... More