MECHANICS are frantically warning drivers to heed their manufacturer's suggestions to replace a cheap part regularly.
Keeping it clean can reduce seasonal allergies, eliminate troublesome smells, and improve airflow. Agricultural Machinery Filters
Scotty Kilmer, a tenured mechanic who's made a name for himself by publishing free DIY tips on car maintenance, reinforced the need to replace an important part at the proper intervals in a video posted to his YouTube channel (@scottykilmer).
Of course, the part in question is the cabin air filter that filters debris, dirt, and dust from outside the vehicle before it's brought into the cabin.
The video was posted in 2020 and has nearly 300,000 views and 10,000 likes from his six million subscribers.
"Unlike other things there if it ain't broke don't fix it, you want to do preventative maintenance with these things," he said in the video.
"I fixed many cars that didn't have good air conditioning or hardly any heat just by replacing a clogged-up filter."
He adds that the issue is more than just air not flowing properly in the vehicle, but rather that if the cabin air filter is restricted, it can "make your fan work harder... it can destroy parts of your system like the fan motor."
This can cause a domino effect, ultimately ruining the heater core or evaporator core inside the vehicle.
"And if you price out changing a heater core and evaporator core in a modern car, some of those jobs can cost you over $1,500 bucks," said Kilmer.
To avoid these high costs, it is recommended that car owners regularly inspect their cars for any signs of wear and tear.
Things such as an overheated engine or a clogged air intake system can cause major issues.
It's also important to check the cabin air filter for signs of deterioration or damage.
If the filter is extremely dirty or has tears, it should be replaced as soon as possible.
Experts recommend that car owners replace their cabin air filters every 12,000 to 15,000 miles or once a year.
However, if a driver often travels in dusty conditions or on dirt roads, they might have to check their filters more often.
A replacement cabin filter doesn't cost much and they are relatively easy to change.
Kilmer suggests checking it at least twice a year, especially if you have allergies.
"This is going to lower it, especially if you get a higher-quality filter," he said.
The cost of replacing a filter can range anywhere from $20 to $50 depending on the type of car and the quality of the filter.
A higher-quality filter will offer better airflow and engine performance.
It's always best to follow manufacturer guidelines on how often to change your filter and how to check for signs of wear and tear.
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