MECHANICS are frantically warning motorists to follow the manufacturer’s suggestions for regularly replacing a cheap part.
Keeping it clean can reduce seasonal allergies, eliminate bothersome odors, and improve airflow.
Scotty Kilmer, an experienced mechanic who made a name for himself by publishing free DIY car maintenance tips, reinforced the need to replace an important part at the proper intervals in a car. video posted on his YouTube channel (@Scotty Kilmer).
Of course, the part in question is the cabin air filter which filters debris, dirt and dust from outside the vehicle before it is brought into the cabin.
The video was posted in 2020 and has almost 300,000 views and 10,000 likes from its six million subscribers.
“Unlike other things out 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’ve fixed a lot of cars that didn’t have good air conditioning or barely any heat just by replacing a clogged filter.”
He adds that the problem 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, ruining the heater core or evaporator core inside the vehicle.
“And if you pay to replace the heater core and evaporator on a modern car, some of those jobs can cost more than $1,500 dollars,” Kilmer said.
To avoid these high costs, it is recommended that car owners regularly inspect their cars for any signs of wear.
Things like an overheating engine or a clogged air intake system can cause serious problems.
It is also important to check the cabin air filter for signs of deterioration or damage.
If the filter is extremely dirty or torn, it should be replaced as soon as possible.
Experts recommend that car owners replace cabin air filters every 12,000 to 15,000 miles or once a year.
However, if a driver frequently travels in dusty conditions or on dirt roads, they may need to check their filters more frequently.
HOW TO CHANGE A CABIN AIR FILTER
Replacing the cabin filter doesn’t cost much and is relatively easy to change.
- To change your car’s cabin air filter, you need to find out where the filter needs to be installed.
- In some vehicles, the filter is located in the glove compartment.
- Once you find where the filter is, you will have to unscrew or remove all of the clips that hold the filter in place.
- Remove the old filter and put in the new one – make sure it is snug before replacing anything.
- Lastly, double-check to ensure everything is secure.
Kilmer suggests checking it at least twice a year, especially if you have allergies.
“That will go down, especially if you get a higher quality filter,” he said.
The cost of replacing a filter can range 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 the manufacturer’s guidelines on how often to change the filter and how to check for signs of wear.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story