Volume 11 Issue 1 » 47
3. CABIN AIR FILTER
W H Y R E P L A C E T H E C A B I N A I R F I LT E R ?
Most vehicles are now equipped with a cabin air filter, sometimes
called a dust and pollen filter. These filters clean all the air that
enters your vehicle’s interior. It is very important to make sure these
are clean in the winter season because a clogged filter can seriously
affect a vehicle’s ability to keep your windows clear of fog on the
inside and frost on the outside – not to mention that this is also the
air you are breathing.
H O W O F T E N S H O U L D I R E P L A C E T H E F I LT E R ?
There is no set rule. The life of the filter depends on various factors:
weather conditions, road conditions, and how often you use your air
conditioning system. Service and inspect your vehicle regularly to
find out when the filter needs to be replaced. Charcoal filters need
to be changed yearly to work properly and should always be replaced
with the same kind.
2. WINDSHIELD WIPERS
W H Y R E P L AC E W I N D S H I E L D W I P E R S ?
Your wipers are at the front of your windshield exposed and
unprotected against all the weather, temperature changes and road
debris that is thrown at your vehicle. In fact, they don’t even go to
work until conditions get bad. Your wipers remove more than just
water: dirt, sand, bugs, tree sap, road tar and much more end up in
their path. They take a beating.
H OW O F T E N S H O U L D I R E P L AC E W I P E R S ?
Windshield wipers should be replaced at least once a year and
checked in between.
KEEP IN MIND:
The good news is that most manufacturers now make it so
that only the rubber inserts need to be replaced, and not
the entire wiper assembly. You will have seen all kinds of
advertising for different kinds of windshield wipers, claiming
all kinds of wonderful things, but the best results come from
using the windshield wipers designed by the manufacturer to
fit your vehicle and your windshield profile.
Although aftermarket manufacturers design wipers to fit
many different vehicles by varying the length and the way they
attach, there is a lot more to it than that. In most cases the
windshield wiper assemblies are also covered by your vehicle’s
basic manufacturer warranty. Typically, inserts are not covered
because they are a wearable part, but they are usually very
inexpensive to replace.
KEEP IN MIND:
There is a difference in the quality of filters, including density
of the filter. A good-quality filter has many more folds or
pleats to provide a larger surface area for better filtering. It will
also allow much better airflow through the filter, especially
when the filter starts to get dirty. Many manufacturers also
add charcoal to the filter element to reduce odour and mildew.