5 Signs Your Audi May Be In Need Of a New Cabin Air Filter

So, you have not changed your Audi’s cabin air filter for quite some time now…

The cabin air filter is one thing that we often overlook. It's not that we don't know how important it is to the overall health of the vehicle; we're simply too careless... But, guess what??? There are consequences for not replacing the said filter that you must be aware of. The sole purpose of this blog post is to provide you with all the info you need to know about the cabin air filter so that you know its true significance and give it the importance it truly deserves.

Cabin Air Filter: The Thing That Helps Your Car Breathe

Made of pleated paper material, the cabin air filter essentially traps dust, leaves, harmful microorganisms, and other unwanted particles from the air before it enters the cabin. In other words, the cabin air filter plays an important role in helping the passengers breathe clean and fresh air.

But, there's a catch... the cabin air filter has a saturation point just like any other filter. Once it crosses that point its ability to filter out unwanted particles from the air will diminish significantly. As a result, airflow to the cabin will be restricted. This will cause a lot of inconvenience to the passengers.

So, if you don't want to breathe air that has a significantly high proportion of dust and other unwanted substances that may harm you in any way, replace your Audi's cabin air filter periodically. If you think your cabin air filter has reached its maximum usage limit, below are some signs you should pay attention to.

Signs It's Time to Replace Your Audi’s Cabin Air Filter

If you suspect that your Audi's cabin air filter has reached its maximum usage limit, below are some signs you should look out for.

Symptom #1- A struggling HVAC

A clogged air filter is one reason your Audi's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system may have difficulty working. Yup, you read that right… a defective air filter can put a strain on your vehicle's air conditioning system. As a result, the cabin might feel slightly warmer than usual. It is also important to note that a defective filter is not the only thing that may cause your vehicle's HVAC to function less effectively.

Symptom #2- Foul odor from air vents

If you have an unusual smell coming from your air vents, this can be a major sign that the cabin air filter is clogged. The air filter, if heavily contaminated, will become a breeding ground for germs. As a result, mold will build up and a stinking smell will emerge. The smell will only get worse with time and there will come a time when it becomes intolerable.

Symptom #3- Foggy car windows

Another sign that your vehicle's cabin air filter is clogged is fogging up of the car windows. After all, your vehicle's anti-fogging system has some degree of dependence on the cabin air filter. When the filter gets clogged up, it will restrict the airflow. As a result, you will notice that the windscreen of your vehicle gets fogged up immediately in case of rain or a sudden drop in temperature.

Symptom #4- Fan noise intensifies

Have you been noticing unusual noises coming from your vehicle's AC blower lately? Well, the culprit could be a defective cabin air filter. The filter is supposed to prevent unwanted particles from reaching the key air conditioning system components. However, if the filter gets clogged up, it won’t be able to do that. As a result, leaves and other foreign elements will interfere with various aspects of the AC system operation. This will cause a strange noise to emerge.

Symptom #5- Reduced airflow from vents

Another recognizable sign that your cabin air filter has reached its maximum usage limit is reduced airflow from the vents.

To Sum Things Up;

If you are experiencing any of the above-mentioned problems while driving your Audi, check the cabin air filter. If it's the filter that is the root cause of all the above said problems, get it replaced. If the filter is fine and pay a visit to a local car repair shop to diagnose and fix the problem.