We can't say it often enough: The quality of the air in a vehicle is crucial to the well-being and health of the occupants. The cabin filter continues to play a key role here. In the past, experts advised replacing the filter in time for the pollen season. But even that isn't often enough.
At least on one point, there is a consensus among professionals: Many drivers neglect the cabin filter, also known as pollen filter, and leave it in the car for far too long without changing it. And: The replacement intervals for the cabin filter specified by the car manufacturers are anything but optimal from a health perspective.
Car manufacturers advise replacing the cabin filter every 15,000 to 30,000 kilometres
Many manufacturers specify a replacement every 15,000 to 30,000 kilometres. Experts agree unanimously that this is not enough. For this reason, the recommendation so far has often been to replace the filter at least once a year, ideally at the start of the pollen season. After all, a fully functioning cabin filter is essential for allergy sufferers in particular. In addition to dust, dirt particles and other pollutants, it also effectively filters pollen from the air.
Replacing the cabin filter every 12 months is not enough
But even replacing the cabin filter every 12 months is clearly not enough. In the podcast "Technik aufs Ohr" from VDI (Association of German engineers), an expert in air quality warns about a potential hazard that should not be underestimated: Dr. Andreas Winkens, owner of an engineering business with a focus on indoor air quality and chairman of the VDI committees on air hygiene in vehicles: "There is a potential risk. A vehicle air conditioning system is similar to that used in buildings. If the filters are not changed regularly or are changed incorrectly, of course this will cause problems," says the expert in the podcast. Because over time, the cabin filter may become clogged with the residues of the filtered out particles, fungi and bacteria. It becomes unhygienic and the filter performance decreases.
Cabin filters should be replaced twice a year
Filter replacement every 12 months? Not advisable, according to Wilkens: "The filters in vehicles actually need to be replaced more often. It is advisable to change the filter before spring, i.e. before the pollen season." Another replacement is recommended at the end of the pollen season, before winter starts. Otherwise, car owners will travel through the winter with substances hazardous to health in the air conditioning system.
Another problem: A bad smell in the interior. Because when the air conditioning system blows a stale smell into the interior, this is usually due to the evaporator, which ensures that the air in the interior is cooled. However, moisture forms, which creates an ideal breeding earth for bacteria, fungi and mould if it is not removed. To avoid this, "the evaporator should also be cleaned regularly, otherwise it starts to stink in the car," says Wilkens. Drivers should proactively request cleaning and replacement of the filter from their automotive workshop. And automotive companies should inform their customers and offer relevant services.
