Does your car have that old, musty smell that just doesn’t seem to ever go away? Or do the diesel fumes from the truck ahead just seem to seep into the cabin no matter what? For some reason, we Malaysians seem to have all learned to just ignore these issues. But chances are, these are signs that it’s time to replace your cabin filter.
A cabin filter might seem inconspicuous, but it actually plays a crucial role in our health and wellbeing. Considering how much time we spend in our cars every day, something as simple as a cabin filter can truly have far-reaching consequences – so it’s even the more important to choose a high-quality one.
Fortunately, changing a cabin filter is simple, and it’s also now incredibly easy to find high-quality filters – if you know where and what to look out for!
We’ve previously had a look at WIX Filters’ engine oil filters, but did you know that WIX also makes high quality cabin filters?
What does a cabin filter do?
As its name suggests, a cabin filter helps clean the air that enters into the car. A high quality cabin filter helps remove microscopic harmful pollutants, including dust, pollen, and soot from the air you breathe within the car.
High quality cabin filters – like those from WIX – also come with antibacterial and anti-allergen properties to help remove harmful germs and other contaminants from the air, keeping the cabin a safe space for us and our loved ones to be in.
Why is it important to use a quality cabin filter?
A low quality cabin filter could cause airflow blockages in your car’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, reducing its efficiency. On a hot day, your car may have to take an extended time to cool the cabin down, leaving you uncomfortable in the sweltering Malaysian heat.
A weakened airflow might also impact the HVAC system’s ability to clear out fog or condensation from the car’s windows. In extreme cases, an airflow blockage might even cause the air-con’s blower motor to burn out, due to it being forced to work harder.
Most importantly, cabin filters of lesser quality also means that harmful pollutants are not effectively filtered out from the air inside your cabin, potentially resulting in allergic reactions or breathing problems, especially for those already with respiratory health issues.
What makes a quality cabin filter?
A quality cabin filter will be able to hold a large amount of fine airborne particles within the filter before needing a replacement. It’ll also have to be able to trap micro particles in the air, especially PM 2.5 particles (2.5 microns in diameter) which are particularly harmful to humans, as they are able to pass directly into your bloodstream.
High quality cabin filters from WIX is able to achieve all that by using a high-quality synthetic non-woven layer as its main filter media, which can capture particles as small as 1 micron – that’s 70 times smaller than the thickness of human hair!
Additionally, most WIX cabin filters come with a Microban anti-allergen coating, which removes close to 100% of bacteria and allergens from the air that we breathe, while inhibiting the growth of moulds and fungi that clogs up the filter.
For those who are a little more sensitive to odours, WIX cabin filters are also available in activated carbon versions, which can effectively trap and remove harmful gasses, unpleasant odours, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide, preventing them from entering the cabin.
How often do you need to change your cabin filter?
As with most automotive parts, the replacement schedule can differ from car to car due to their unique design considerations, so always follow the intervals stated in your user manual.
The common recommendation is, however, to replace the cabin filter once every year or every 15,000 km, as a safeguard to ensure you get an uninterrupted clean airflow into your car.
If you frequently drive in areas with high amounts of airborne dust and smoke, it is highly recommended to replace your filters a little sooner.
WIX cabin filters for Asian and continental cars
Just like its oil filters, WIX cabin filters are available for a vast selection of Asian and continental cars, including Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, and more.
To ensure you are buying the right cabin filter for your car, simply head on over to WIX’s online catalogue (linked here), and input your car model to easily find the right filters for your car.
You can purchase WIX filters via variety of e-commerce platforms here in Malaysia, including on Shopee (Gaido Malaysia Official Store), Action Group, and LMEM. If DIY is not your thing, the following workshops also stock WIX cabin filters and other products in Malaysia:
- Kuala Lumpur – Wai Siong Auto Car Repair Workshop (+6016 576 5862)
- Kuala Lumpur – Enkai Automobile (+60 16 283 1540)
- Kuala Lumpur – Hock Bee Auto Service (+60 36 257 6778)
- Selangor – Kinstone Tyre Auto Service Sdn Bhd (+6012 226 0262)
- Perak – LB Garage (+6016 506 5921)
Learn more about WIX Filters and their wide range of products at its website, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram for their latest news.
[This advertorial is sponsored by MANN+HUMMEL, a global leader in filtration]
