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Can you smell that?
Is your car making loud thumping or banging noises? Can you smell diesel or rotten eggs inside the car? Contact Blackwood Dyno Tune & Service immediately to inspect and identify the exhaust issue.
Read moreIs Your Cabin Air Filter Due for a Check?
There is a filter in your vehicle that you may not think about very often, but it plays an important role in the air you breathe while driving. Your cabin air filter, also known as a pollen filter, filters air entering the passenger compartment and helps capture dust, pollen and other airborne particles before they reach the cabin.
At Blackwood Dyno Tune & Service, we recommend checking your cabin or pollen filter at least annually and as part of your regular car servicing. A filter that has become heavily loaded with dust and debris can restrict airflow through the ventilation system, meaning your air conditioning may need to work harder to maintain comfortable airflow.
Why Does Your Cabin Air Filter Matter?
The air around your vehicle can contain dust, pollen, traffic-related pollutants and other airborne particles. South Australian conditions can be particularly challenging at certain times of the year, with dust storms, bushfire smoke and high pollen levels all capable of affecting outdoor air quality.
Your cabin filter helps reduce the amount of particulate matter entering through the vehicle's ventilation system, but it doesn't last indefinitely. As the filter collects contaminants, it can become visibly dirty or restricted. Moisture and contamination can also contribute to unpleasant or musty smells within the ventilation system.
A dirty cabin filter may be worth investigating if you notice:
- Reduced airflow from the interior vents
- Musty or unpleasant smells when the fan or air conditioning is operating
- More dust accumulating inside the vehicle
- A cabin filter that is visibly dirty or clogged
If you regularly drive in dusty areas, spend a lot of time in traffic or have been using your air conditioning heavily, checking the filter before summer can be particularly worthwhile.
When Should a Cabin Filter Be Replaced?
There isn't one replacement interval that suits every vehicle. The manufacturer's servicing recommendations, the type of filter fitted and your driving environment can all affect how quickly a cabin filter becomes restricted.
Some cabin filters are located behind the glovebox, although the exact location varies between makes and models. At Blackwood Dyno Tune & Service, we check the condition of your cabin air filter as part of our free 65 Point Vehicle Inspection Report with every full car service and can let you know whether it needs cleaning, replacement or further attention.
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Standard or Carbon Cabin Filter?
Depending on your vehicle, you may have the option of fitting a carbon or activated-carbon cabin filter instead of a standard filter. Carbon filtration can provide additional odour and gas adsorption and may be useful for drivers who regularly travel through busy traffic or are concerned about exhaust smells entering the cabin.
We can check which filter options are suitable for your vehicle and driving conditions.
Freshen Your Vehicle's Ventilation System
If your vehicle has developed persistent odours, replacing the cabin filter may not be the only consideration. Blackwood Dyno Tune & Service also recommends MIST Treatment, which is designed to treat the vehicle's ventilation system and cabin surfaces as part of a broader vehicle freshening service.
A fresh cabin filter combined with appropriate ventilation-system treatment can be a worthwhile consideration before the warmer months, particularly if your air conditioning is about to see increased use.
Don't wait until your cabin filter is completely blocked to check it. Contact Blackwood Dyno Tune & Service in Blackwood to have your cabin air filter inspected at your next service, or ask our team about replacement and MIST Treatment.
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