Does a Dirty Cabin Air Filter Affect Engine Performance?

When an engine's air cleaner is clogged and restricts airflow, it can cause incomplete combustion and reduce engine power. Learn how a dirty cabin air filter affects engine performance.

Does a Dirty Cabin Air Filter Affect Engine Performance?

When the air cleaner is clogged and restricts airflow, it can cause incomplete combustion and reduce engine power. While a dirty cabin air filter can affect the air conditioning system, a dirty engine air filter can cause engine performance problems. This is understandable, considering that your car can use more than 10,000 gallons of oxygen for every gallon of fuel burned. A dirty air filter also makes the AC fan motor work harder, potentially causing it to burn out and need to be replaced.

In addition, a clogged cabin air filter works less efficiently and consumes more energy, putting the alternator to the test. A faulty cabin air filter also cannot capture particles efficiently, and the cabin may get dirty and smell bad. This can make driving or getting in the car an unpleasant experience. Although a dirty cabin air filter usually doesn't cause engine problems, it will cause the car's HVAC system to work harder than it needs to.

This can cause the engine to overheat or even burn out, because clogged or dirty filters will reduce the amount of air flowing through the vents. Lack of adequate airflow affects cabin air temperature, which depends on whether air can pass through the heater core, evaporator, or both. A cabin filter filled with debris would cause the air blower motor to malfunction. Your car's air conditioning system will be severely affected. You'll notice it with the lack of air flow in the dashboard grilles.

With a clogged cabin air filter, lack of air flow can be felt in the dashboard grilles and will result in lackluster defrost and defrost performance, as well as reduced air conditioning and heating functionality. Without an air filter, fresh air entering the cabin brought a lot of dust, pollen, smog and more. Although it has no consequences for most people, the air filter is vital to keeping your car in full operation. A faulty filter can mean inadequate cabin air, affect air quality, and cause the AC system to consume more energy, among other effects. Changing the old cabin filter is your best defense against pollen attacks and inhaling harmful particles that float in the air. It also reduces the air flowing through it from the air conditioner, reducing cooling that cannot be solved with a refrigerant refill.

If you are an installer, make sure your customer understands the most serious risks by refusing cabin air filter service. The cabin air filter should be replaced regularly to avoid problems with the operation of the vehicle, as well as to protect your health. This occurs because poor quality air entering through a dirty filter allows condensation to more easily form on the window glass. One of the first and surest signs that a cabin air filter needs to be replaced is reduced airflow in the ventilation grilles. Many brands today sell cabin filters with the idea that no one wants to spend time in a smelly car if they can help it.

This is likely because they do not understand the real dangers of doing so, partly because of the way in which cabin air filters have been marketed. It is also recommended to change engine and cabin air filters once a year or every 15,000 miles.

Sophia Walker
Sophia Walker

Tvaholic. Friendly pop culture expert. Friendly beer lover. General pop culture geek. Wannabe internet advocate. Lifelong music enthusiast.

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