Cabin filters should now be an all year round service item but there tends to be a demand spike in the spring as the pollen count rises. They perform a vital task filtering the air that enters a passenger cabin and providing protection against pollutants and bacteria as well as pollen. This helps maintain driver and passenger health and is especially important for allergy sufferers.

 Cabin filters work hard and will clog over time making their performance less effective. When this happens replacement with a new high quality replacement filter is essential.

 ADE filter supplier MANN has highlighted how in some garages, instead of buying a new cabin filter, they just clean and brush the old one down. The belief is that this is just as effective as replacement. This is a common myth about cabin filters, but he truth is very different.

 By using water and a brush it may make a cabin filter look cleaner, but tiny particles, such as pollen, fungi and mould spores, cannot just be brushed away. The cleaning process may in fact loosen them so that they enter the passenger compartment next time the ventilation system is operated.

Residual moisture from washing the filter can also cause dangerous window misting problems that will be recurring in damp weather, because particles retained in the filter material do not allow the fresh air to pass through freely. The cooling effect of the air is also reduced as residual dirt particles can block the air flow from the air conditioning system.

 Cleaning will also destroy the filters electrostatic charge meaning its ability to trap pollen, dust and dirt particles will be lost.

 In short, cleaning instead of replacement means the filter offers very little protection and puts driver’s and passenger’s health at risk.

 MANN recommends that cabin filters are replaced either once a year or every 15,000 km. The motorist will notice and difference and the garage benefits from an additional business boost.