Windshield won’t defog? Check your filter
By Chris Menzies

I remember the “good ole days” when each spring the weather would warm up and we would reach down near the floorboard and open the vents. We would hold our breath and close our eyes to protect ourselves from the leaves and dirt that would come rushing at us. That changed when European automakers installed cabin air filters in the 1990s, and Asian and domestic manufacturers followed suit in 2001.

Over time, debris clogs filters and restricts airflow. A clogged filter can affect your health, and the vitality of your car. It can decrease fuel mileage. If you place your hand at the defroster vents and cannot feel much air blowing out, or it takes longer than normal to clear a foggy windshield, it may be time to service your filter.

Design engineers put these filters in the passenger compartment behind the glove box or in the engine compartment near the fan motor. Check the owner’s manual to find where your filter is located.

Filters come in a variety of forms, but most include a pleated paper element that must be changed. Have your filter inspected once a year, if you drive between 10,000 and 15,000 miles a year, and more frequently if your mileage is higher.

Whenever you take your vehicle in for scheduled service, don’t hesitate to ask for a check of the engine air filter. Most of us expect it to be done, but when it comes to the cabin air filter, we tend to forget it.

Chris Menzies is owner of AA Automotive Diagnostics and Repair, a AAA-approved repair facility (AAR) in Grand Junction.



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