Checking your vehicle’s cabin air filter may help you avoid costly repairs!

Why should you check your vehicle’s cabin air filter? Mice and other rodents have been making more frequent visits into our customers’ vehicles and leaving a trail of damage as they search for a warm place to nest. We saw it often, though, even throughout the warmer months this past summer, so we suggest being vigilant and checking your car’s cabin air filter all year.

What do we see exactly when inspecting your vehicle's air filters? It can range from a huge nest of leaves and other debris sitting right on top of the engine to droppings and bird seeds inside the folds of the cabin air filter itself, which spill over into the air box or glove compartment. We have also seen mice chew up the liners of the hood, as well as shred the insulation in the trunk to make nests. Some customers will report a strange smell or a lack of airflow through the vents. In the worst case scenarios, the mice chew up the wires and can actually cause so much damage to your car that the vehicle is totalled. It is believed the mice are attracted to the soy compound in the wire coverings.

Sometimes acorns will get lodged in the blower motor housing and cause a rattling or whirring sound. If not addressed, this can cause premature failure of the blower motor due to it working harder than it is designed to do. When we take out the cabin air filter, we also vacuum out the surrounding area and leave everything clean. If the smell persists, we also have a ventilation cleaner which can help freshen the system. The function of the cabin air filter is to filter out pollen, dust, bacteria, and exhaust from other cars on the road from the air entering the HVAC system. This is the air that enters the passenger compartment of your vehicle so it is the air you are breathing. Changing your car cabin air filter every 10-12,000 miles will help keep the quality of that air cleaner.

The trained automotive technicians at Grove Street Auto Repair will offer to remove and inspect your vehicle’s cabin air filter at every oil change service. If this is something you do yourself at home, just let us know. Otherwise, we can remove it, check the condition of the filter, and replace it if needed. As always, we take pictures of contaminated filters and include that in the Digital Vehicle Inspection report that is texted to you.

Wondering what you can do to prevent the damage? Some people have used moth balls or dryer sheets, which usually do not smell great. A product called Grandpa Gus is something we have seen some success with. It is a set of small pouches scented with peppermint and cinnamon essential oils. You place these in various spots around your engine compartment and in the glovebox. The smell targets the mouse’s olfactory system, and the mouse becomes scared and irritated. It then cannot smell food or predators, which in turn makes it not feel safe. The theory appears to be that then they find somewhere else to hang out instead of your car!

We look forward to partnering with you in keeping all your vehicle’s heating and air conditioning systems in top running order so you are confident as you drive during your daily routines whether it is local or driving several hours a day for work or activities.

We have been serving the communities of Franklin, Bellingham, Wrentham, Medway and more since 1998. This will be our 25th year in business, and we are so grateful for all our loyal customers/friends. We truly treat you like family and hope to see you soon.

If you have not visited our shop, we hope you will stop by for a tour or call to set up a service appointment. New customers receive a discount of 10% off (up to $50) so be sure to tell us if you qualify! The friend who referred you also receives a discount.

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