How Often Should You Change Your Cabin Air Filter?

In today’s market, where new cars are practically unavailable, and used cars are priced higher than ever, it’s more important than ever to keep your current car well maintained. Whether you’re driving a sedan like the Hyundai Elantra or a full-size pickup like the Chevrolet Silverado, keeping your vehicle running is the best way to avoid having to jump into this crazy market. You want to make sure you keep things like your cabin air filter changed and up to date for better efficiency.

Aside from oil changes, tire rotations, and basic tune-ups, the cabin air filter is one of the easier and most important elements of your vehicle.

What Is The Cabin Air Filter’s Purpose?

Your cabin air filter is in charge of cleaning the air that makes it into your cabin. This comes in through the heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems. The filter collects and blocks dust, dirt, pollen, and other contaminants from becoming your breathing air.

Like any other filter in your car, the cabin filter will eventually get clogged. That means it can no longer do its job the way it was designed, and you won’t get to breathe easy.

How Often Should I Change the Cabin Air Filter?

In general, when it comes to maintenance, experts agree that you should change your cabin filter every 15,000 miles. Of course, your owner’s manual should provide specific recommendations for your unique vehicle.

The manual for the 2020 Hyundai Elantra, for example, suggests changing the cabin air filter every 10,000 miles in extreme conditions. Otherwise, changing it every 15,000 – 30,000 miles in normal conditions is sufficient. That means you should consider changing it about once a year or as needed.

There are, of course, other situations that might require changing the air filter as well. You’ll want to look for decreased air from the climate control system, increased interior dust, or unpleasant odors inside your car. These are signs that your air filter is clogged and may need attention.

It’s also worth giving your cabin air filter a look whenever you get your oil changed. The Hyundai Elantra, for example, requires an oil change every 3,000 – 5,000 miles (convention oil) or 7,500 – 10,000 miles (synthetic oil). A quick inspection of your cabin air filter during routine oil changes can ensure you don’t wait until it’s too late.

Can I Do It Myself?

Changing a cabin air filter is typically a straightforward process. Of course, the task is not the same for every make, model, and year. The filter is usually found in an accessible place, like behind the glove box (like in the Hyundai Elantra) or under the hood. There are, however, some models that place this under the dashboard, which makes it more challenging to check yourself.
Your local auto mechanic or dealership service department can easily swap out your cabin air filter, especially if they are already working on your car. You can expect to spend between $30 and $70 depending on your vehicle’s make, model, and year.

If you decide to change the filter yourself, make sure you use a genuine OEM filter. This will ensure you get the best quality and fit for your exact rig.

While changing the cabin air filter in your Hyundai Elantra or other vehicles won’t necessarily keep it on the road longer, it will definitely keep it in a more drivable and enjoyable condition.