How to Understand Your Car - Air Conditioning Filter Chapter

What is an air conditioning filter element

During the operation of a car, a large number of fine particles invisible to the naked eye, such as dust, the oil filter is divided into full-flow and split types, pollen, bacteria, and industrial waste gas, enter the air conditioning system. The function of a car air conditioning filter is to filter out these harmful substances, improve the air quality inside the cabin, create a safe and comfortable breathing environment for passengers, and protect their physical health.

Classification of air conditioning filter elements

Ordinary paper filter element

The material is generally ordinary filter paper or non-woven fabric, which can only filter large particles or impurities in the air. It has good breathability and is usually pure white.

Air conditioning filter element containing activated carbon

Activated carbon was added on the basis of the ordinary paper air conditioning filter element. Some filter elements have been replaced by fiber layers and activated carbon particles, which can effectively adsorb dust, PM2.5, industrial waste gas, and harmful gases in the air. Due to the addition of activated carbon particles, they appear grayish-white.

HEPA filter element

This type of filter element is less used in automotive enterprises and is generally applied in household air purifiers. Some automotive enterprises have taken the lead in using HEPA filters, which are actually based on activated carbon filter cores and have added filtration to reduce some viruses and bacteria. The style is similar to that of an activated carbon filter element. Some merchants raise the price under the guise of HEPA filter elements. Consumers cannot judge by appearance, so they must be cautious of discrimination. A qualified manufacturer needs to be certified by a formal testing laboratory. Only with a test report is it valid.

The position of the air conditioning filter element

A vehicle with only the core

Generally speaking, for vehicles equipped only with internal air conditioning filters, which are located behind the passenger glove compartment, the glove compartment needs to be loosened for replacement, or you can look up from below the glove compartment, remove the screws, and then you can see the grid of the air conditioning filter. Just replace it.

Vehicles with only the outer core

It is suitable for vehicles equipped only with an external air conditioning filter. The filter is generally located below the front passenger windshield baffle or the wiper arm when stationary, as shown in the above picture

1. Dual-core vehicles

It is suitable for vehicles equipped with air conditioning filters both inside and out, combined with the above two positions

1. Selection and Precautions of air conditioning filters

The corresponding position and location of the air conditioning filter vary by brand and model depending on its size, shape, quantity. It is very important to find the right air conditioning filter for the vehicle

1. Choose a good category, and according to the classification mentioned earlier, you can make your own choices and purchases. It is recommended to choose an activated carbon filter element
2. A filter element with a large dust-holding capacity can filter out more impurities and increase the service life of the filter element
3. Some air conditioner filters have a certain moisture-proof effect, and some are designed with frames to ensure that the filters absorb moisture from the air and are less likely to deform due to moisture. When using vehicles in coastal cities, pay attention to this point
4. Purchasing genuine and counterfeit products often leads to unpleasant odors from the filter paper or fiber layer due to poor material quality, which can cause discomfort to both drivers and passengers
5. It is not recommended to blow the activated carbon filter element with an air gun. Firstly, when activated carbon is saturated, it has no filtering effect. Secondly, the high-pressure air gun may blow away the activated carbon particles, affecting the filtering effect
6. Replacement cycle of air conditioning filters

It is recommended to replace the single inner core, single outer core, or double-core filter elements annually or every 20,000 kilometers

Of course, for areas with severe weather pollution and frequent smog, as well as products that are frequently used by susceptible groups or the elderly and children, the replacement time should be appropriately shortened and the replacement frequency increased