A Guide to Changing Your Car’s Air Filter This Spring

Now that Old Man Winter’s icy grip on the Stroudsburg area is melting, you’re starting to feel it whenever you drive: the familiar urge to crank up the speakers, roll down the window and let the spring breeze drift in. And for good reason! Our Pennsylvanian lungs are ready to breathe in all that natural air after this long winter. That also makes the start of spring the ideal time to switch out your car’s cabin air filter. 

As pollen, dust, and other allergens become one with the wind at spring’s start, a constant flow of fresh air is needed to help combat them. The air filter that’s been collecting dust in your filter box all winter long probably isn’t up to the task. Thankfully, the process of swapping out your air filter is a totally painless one. Courtesy of Abeloff GMC, here’s a guide detailing what you need to know.

What Does Your Air Filter Do? 

Cabin air filters work to purify the air streaming into the cabin via your vehicle’s HVAC systems. These filters eliminate dust, pollen, mold particles, and additional airborne debris, leaving you with clean, healthy air. Air filters enhance air purity, and thereby help create a more breathable, allergen-free driving environment. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, monitoring your cabin air filter’s cleanliness is a must. Additionally, air filters help keep your HVAC components functioning properly, while optimizing HVAC system performance. 

Having fresh, clean air at your disposal is the simplest but most crucial component to safe and healthy driving, and it’s your air filter’s job to maintain that constant airflow. If you’ve been breathing stale or acrid air lately while behind the wheel, a change of filters is most likely needed. Keep an eye on your windshield as well; if you find it struggling to maintain visibility in humidity, that could be another sign your old filter needs to go.

When it does come time to replace your air filter, you’ll discover there are various types at your disposal, including:

Standard Air Filters: The most common type of cabin air filter. Provides basic filtration for dust, pollen, and other particles. These filters generally cost between $20-$25, though they can be even cheaper – such as this Pureflow filter, compatible with recent GMC Sierra models.

Activated Carbon Filters: Excels at absorbing gases and other unpleasant odors. Recommended if you’re focusing on eliminating odors and trapping airborne pollutants. 

HEPA Filters: Or, “High-Efficiency Particulate Air” filters. For advanced filtration, captures smaller particles and allergens. Recommended for those with bad allergies, sensitive respiratory conditions, or who simply enjoy the highest level of air purity. 

How Do I Replace My Air Filter? 

Once you’ve selected the filter type that best suits your situation, the replacement process is even simpler than you could have imagined. First, locate your air filter box (or “filter housing”) and open it. Be aware that doing so may require a screwdriver or another tool . Once the box is open, the ensuing job should take but a moment.

Remove your old air filter slowly, noting the placement of how it was initially installed. Take a picture with your phone if that helps you recall the configuration, because you’ll want to mirror it when inserting the new filter. Take a moment to wipe away any stray dust or debris in the air filter box that may have blown off the old filter.

Next, simply replicate the placement of the old filter with the new one. Secure the air filter box once again, tightening its bolts if you had to unscrew them. Flip on the HVAC, and before you know it, your cabin will be flooded with crystal-clean air once again.

Filter Happier 

If you’ve noticed reduced airflow, unpleasant odors, noises from your vents, or your windshield fogging up quickly in dense humidity, these could all be signs that your cabin air filter needs replacement. Fortunately, you now know that replacing your cabin air filter is a simple, affordable process.

If you encounter any other issues with your HVAC systems this spring, Abeloff GMC is the place to take your vehicle. Our team of service professionals will handle all your car’s maintenance needs, from oil changes to tires, brakes to batteries. Kick off spring cleaning season the right way, and drive into the rest of 2024 with your vehicle feeling so fresh and so clean.