Services
Air and cabin filters
Two filters, two jobs. One keeps dust out of the engine, the other keeps it out of the air you breathe in the car. We pull the filter and show it to you before we change anything.
Two filters, side by side
| Engine air filter | Cabin air filter | |
|---|---|---|
| What it protects | The engine | You, and the A/C and heat system |
| Where it sits | In a box under the hood | Often behind the glove box |
| Signs it is dirty | Sluggish pickup, worse gas mileage | Weak vent airflow, musty smell |
The engine air filter cleans the air the engine pulls in to burn fuel. The cabin air filter cleans the air that comes out of your vents. They are different parts, in different places, and they wear out on their own schedules.
Both fill up with dust, pollen and debris. Here the A/C runs most of the year, which pulls a lot of air through the cabin filter.
Signs each one needs changing
Cabin air filter
- Weak airflow from the vents, even on high.
- A musty or stale smell when the A/C comes on.
- A foggy windshield that is slow to clear.
Engine air filter
- The car feels sluggish when you press the gas.
- Gas mileage has dropped.
- The engine runs rough.
- The filter looks dark and packed with dirt.
None of these signs proves the filter is the cause. Weak vent air can also come from a blower or A/C problem, and a sluggish engine has plenty of other possible causes. That is why we look at the filter itself before anyone buys a new one.
A clean filter is white or off-white and you can see light through it when you hold it up. A dirty one is gray or brown, and a cabin filter can hold leaves, bugs and grit. When you see the two side by side, the call is usually easy.
How often to change them
Your owner's manual comes first. It has the schedule for your car, and some cars show a reminder.
For a rough idea, filter and parts sellers commonly quote about 12,000 to 15,000 miles, or about once a year, for a cabin filter, and 15,000 to 30,000 miles for an engine air filter. Your owner's manual has the number for your car.
Dusty roads, construction, pollen season and heavy traffic fill filters faster. If you drive in those a lot, check sooner. What matters most is how the filter looks, not just the miles on the odometer.
What happens when you come in
- Walk in any day we are open. No appointment.
- Tell us what you notice: weak air, a smell, or just that you do not know when they were last changed.
- We pull the filter and show it to you.
- If it is still clean, we say so and put it back.
- We tell you what it needs and the price before any work starts. No surprise fees.
- We put in the new filter while you wait.
Ask us to check the filters when you come in for tires or an oil change. It fits on the same visit.
Doing it yourself
Some filters are easy to change yourself. An engine air filter is often a few clips on a box under the hood, and some cabin filters sit behind a door in the glove box. Others are tucked under dash panels and take more work.
If yours is one of the easy ones, we tell you so. Buy the right filter for your year, make and model, note which way the airflow arrow points on the old one, and put the new one in the same way.
Related services and tires
Questions we get
What is the difference between an air filter and a cabin filter?
The engine air filter protects the engine. The cabin filter cleans the air that comes into the car through the vents.
How often should I replace my cabin air filter?
Your owner's manual has the schedule. Filter sellers commonly quote about once a year or 12,000 to 15,000 miles, sooner with dust, pollen and heavy traffic.
Why does my A/C smell musty?
A dirty cabin filter is a common cause. We can pull it and show you.
Can a dirty air filter hurt my gas mileage?
A badly clogged engine air filter can make the car sluggish and cost you mileage. A look at the filter tells you if that is the problem.
Do all cars have a cabin air filter?
Most newer cars do, and some older ones do not. Your owner's manual says whether yours has one and where it sits.
Will a new cabin filter help with allergies?
A clean cabin filter catches more dust and pollen before it reaches the vents than a clogged one does. It is not a medical fix, but a packed filter is worth replacing.
Can you show me the old filter?
Yes. We pull it and show it to you before we replace anything.
Do I need an appointment?
No. Walk in any day. We are open seven days a week.
Walk in any day, or text us first.
6302 Westheimer Rd at Winrock. No appointment. You get the price before we start.