Engine Air Filter vs. Cabin Air Filter: What's the Difference?

High-quality air is crucial for both your body and your car's engine. That's why you'll find air filters and cabin filters in the engine compartment and the vehicle's cabin. Learn more about cabin filters vs air filters and how to care for them here.

Engine Air Filter

An engine air filter is located inside the engine compartment. This filter ensures the air your engine takes in is free from dirt and particles that can compromise the engine’s efficiency and damage internal components. You’ll find the engine air filter inside a box, and it’s usually easy to locate the box and replace the filter.

What does a car air filter do? The engine air filter plays a vital role in maintaining the health and performance of your vehicle's engine. It acts as a barrier, trapping harmful contaminants such as dust, dirt, and debris before they can enter the engine. This filtration process is essential for several reasons:

• Improved Fuel Efficiency: A clogged or dirty engine air filter forces the engine to work harder, consuming more fuel to draw in the required air. By replacing the filter regularly, you can maintain optimal airflow and improve your vehicle's fuel economy.
• Enhanced Engine Life: Contaminants that bypass the air filter can cause abrasive wear on engine components like the pistons, cylinders, and valves. This accelerated wear reduces the engine's lifespan and can lead to costly repairs down the line. A clean air filter helps protect these vital components.
• Increased Power and Acceleration: When the engine receives a steady supply of clean air, it can operate more efficiently, resulting in improved power delivery and acceleration. This can be especially noticeable in high-performance vehicles or when towing heavy loads.
• Reduced Emissions: A well-maintained engine air filter helps the engine burn fuel more completely, reducing the amount of unburnt hydrocarbons and other pollutants released into the environment. This contributes to lower emissions and a greener driving experience.
• Maintenance Cost Savings: By replacing the engine air filter at the recommended intervals, you can avoid premature wear and tear on engine parts, potentially saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars in future repair costs.

When an engine air filter gets clogged or wears out, you might notice a drop in fuel efficiency and horsepower. The check engine light may also alert you that the vehicle isn’t getting enough clean air to run well.

Cabin Air Filter

What does a cabin air filter do? A cabin air filter is part of the car’s heating and cooling unit—just like the air filter on your home’s heating and cooling. You’ll find this filter in or behind the glove compartment, where it filters bugs, tiny dirt particles, pollen, and other air pollutants before air circulates in the car’s cabin. The cabin air filter allows you to breathe fresh air by controlling allergens and unpleasant side effects of common air problems. It also offers several key benefits:

• Improved Cabin Air Quality: The cabin air filter traps a wide range of airborne contaminants, including dust, pollen, mold spores, and fine particulate matter, ensuring cleaner air inside your vehicle.
• Reduced Allergy Symptoms: For those with respiratory sensitivities or allergies, a clean cabin air filter can make a significant difference in reducing symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, and nasal congestion.
• Longer HVAC System Lifespan: By preventing debris buildup, the cabin air filter keeps the vehicle's HVAC system running more efficiently, which can save on future repairs or replacements.
• Odor Reduction: A clogged or dirty cabin air filter can allow unpleasant odors from outside the vehicle to enter the cabin. Replacing the filter can help to eliminate these unwanted smells and keep the interior fresh.
• Improved Airflow and Climate Control: A clean cabin air filter allows for better airflow, helping the climate control system to maintain comfortable temperatures and humidity levels inside the vehicle.

When a cabin air filter is past its life, it can affect the heating and cooling system efficiency and leave the car smelling musty.

Engine Filter vs. Cabin Filter Maintenance

Your owner’s manual is the best place for general information about when and how to change each air filter type. Generally, both filters must be changed if there’s evidence of visible mold or mildew or if the filter is heavily coated in dirt and debris.

While air filters and cabin filters both serve important roles in maintaining your vehicle's performance and air quality, they have distinct maintenance requirements. Here’s what you need to know:

Engine Air Filter Maintenance:

• Replacement Interval: Typically 12-24 months or 12,000-24,000 miles.
• Accessibility: The engine air filter is usually located in an easily accessible area within the engine compartment.
• Cost: Generally ranges from $20 to $80, depending on the make and model of the vehicle.

Cabin Air Filter Maintenance:

• Replacement Interval: Typically 12-24 months, though more frequent changes may be necessary in areas with high levels of air pollution.
• Accessibility: The cabin air filter is often located behind the glove compartment, requiring more effort to access.
• Cost: Cabin air filters can range from under $20 to over $100, depending on the filter type (e.g., standard, carbon-activated, or HEPA).

Regular inspections and timely replacements of cabin air filters and engine air filters can prolong the life of your engine and keep your cabin environment comfortable and clean.

Breathe Easy When You Visit Take 5 Oil Change

Changing an air filter can be simple but easy to overlook. Count on the skilled technicians at Take 5 Oil Change to keep on top of these extra services for you. Our fast and friendly staff will inspect the engine and cabin air filters at each oil change visit and advise you on their condition. It’s quick and convenient to let us change your air filters during an oil change visit.

Let Take 5 Oil Change take the guesswork out of your car’s air filter maintenance when you use our oil change services. Just visit an oil change location near you for professional inspection and replacement of both engine air filters and cabin air filters. Our technicians will make sure your filters are clean and effective, keeping you and your car breathing easily.