Southern California Wildfires create ashes and debris that clog your car's Cabin Air Filter.
The wildfires we experience here in Southern California create smoke and ashes that can affect your health. We have certainly seen our share of ashes in Simi Valley over the years.
When your Air Conditioner is blowing cool air into your face, it feels good. One thing many people don’t know is there is a special filter between the air conditioner blower and you, it’s called the Cabin Air Filter.
The function of the cabin air filter is to catch the ashes and particulates before it blows into your face. The problem is the wildfires create significantly more debris on the Cabin Air Filter than normal. In many cases, your Cabin Air Filter can become more clogged in one month than in a normal two year period.
What’s wrong with a clogged Cabin Air Filter?
- It blocks air flow. Blocked Cabin Air Filters can reduce the effect of your air conditioning system.
- It smells bad. The debris on the Cabin Air Filter is joined with moisture in the AC system. The moisture remains and you smell a mildew type of odor.
- It creates mold and mildew that can be unhealthy. Because there is moisture in the air, the filter is catching that and landing on the clogged debris on your Cabin Air Filter. That sits and turns to mildew or mold. Then, you turn on your AC and blow it right into your face.
When to replace the Cabin Air Filter
We recommend replacing the cabin air filter in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendation. Most recommend it replaced about every 30,000 miles — under normal conditions. However, with the wildfires and ashes, you may need to replace it sooner. Next time you’re in, talk to our service advisor to see if your car is ready for a new Cabin Air Filter. Make sure to give them the full picture, i.e. around ashes, etc.
