Your vehicle has two separate air filters: the engine air filter and the cabin air filter. But what sets them apart? In this article, we’ll break down their distinct functions and explain how they contribute to your vehicle’s overall performance and your comfort behind the wheel.
Key Differences Between Cabin Air Filters and Engine Air Filters
The air inside your car and the air your engine takes in are important for maintaining a healthy, efficient, and comfortable ride. While an engine air filter helps keep the engine in good working condition, most vehicles today also have a designated filter that ensures clean air inside the cabin.
At first glance, cabin and engine air filters may seem similar, but they serve distinct purposes and differ in design. Let’s explore these differences below:
Purpose
Both filters are designed to act as a protective shield from dust, dirt, sand, pollen, and other potential contaminants. But what does an engine air filter do, exactly? Primarily, it prevents dirt, debris, and other foreign particles from getting into the engine, which helps maintain its performance and durability.
Now, what is a cabin air filter? This filter helps clean the air that passes through your vehicle’s AC system and keeps it free from allergens, odors, and other pollutants, thus improving air quality inside the cabin.
Location
The cabin air filter’s location is typically inside the passenger compartment, either on one side or behind the glove box, allowing it to remain hidden while being close to the HVAC system. Meanwhile, the engine air filter is housed under the hood. It’s generally located near the front of your vehicle within the engine’s air intake system, where it’s easy to access during regular maintenance.
Size
Engine air filters are considerably larger than cabin air filters in order to manage greater airflow while filtering out dust and dirt particles that could harm the engine’s components and affect its performance. On the other hand, cabin air filters feature a more compact design to fit into tight spaces within the dashboard.
Design
Engine air filters feature a more complex design and can be flat, cylindrical, or conical. The filter media is usually encased in a plastic or metal mesh frame. In contrast, cabin air filters typically utilize a simpler, flat design and may also feature layers of odor-neutralizing carbon to eliminate odors and improve air quality for passengers.
Maintenance
Engine air filters should be replaced every 15,000 miles or once a year to ensure optimal performance and sufficient clean air for the engine. Thankfully, they are easier to clean and replace despite their size, due to their location in the engine bay.
As for the cabin air filter replacement interval, it could be around two years, depending on climate and driving conditions. Regular inspections are essential to maintain good air quality for you and your passengers. Although smaller, cabin air filters typically need professional assistance to access them from behind the glove box.
Cost
The cost to change engine and cabin air filters can vary significantly depending on the vehicle’s year, make, and model. Typically, the cost of replacing a cabin air filter is higher if done by a dealer using a manufacturer-approved filter. If you opt for the DIY approach, replacement filters can range from around $3 to almost $200.
As for engine air filter replacement costs, you can get something for as low as under $5 or as high as $400 for performance filters that are designed to help boost horsepower and improve your vehicle’s rate of acceleration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a dirty air filter cause a check engine light?
Yes. When your vehicle’s air filter is dirty, your engine may not get enough air. This can negatively affect your engine performance, possibly triggering the Check Engine light on the dashboard.
Does an engine air filter affect the AC?
Yes, the engine air filter can impact a vehicle’s AC performance. Since the AC system relies on engine power, a dirty engine air filter can restrict airflow, forcing the engine to work harder and resulting in weaker cooling performance.
Does changing the engine air filter improve engine performance?
Yes, changing the engine air filter can quickly and effectively boost performance. A clean engine air filter helps ensure that the engine gets efficient airflow. On the other hand, a clogged filter can lead to poor engine performance and potential engine failure, so timely replacements are essential.
