Cabin air filters protect against contaminants

Contaminants, such as pollen, dust, mold spores and smog, can easily enter a vehicle's passenger compartment through the air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems, making the air in the car six times dirtier than the air outside.

A dirty or clogged cabin air filter can also cause contaminants to become so concentrated in the cabin that passengers actually breathe in more fumes and particles when riding in the car compared to walking down the street.

Today's NASCAR drivers benefit from significant improvements in motorsports safety, including cabin air filters that protect drivers' respiratory systems from particulate matter like dust, soot and rubber, noxious fumes, gas and oil vapors, and most importantly, carbon monoxide.

And so can you.

Approximately 50 percent of automobiles built in the past several years include cabin air filters. Much like the filtration system developed for racers, these consumer cabin air filters capture contaminants like soot and dirt as well as dangerous airborne gases and odors that enter a vehicle while it's moving.

The multi-layer design of a cabin air filter traps microscopic airborne particles. An activated carbon layer absorbs gases and odors that can cause a variety of problems, ranging from headaches and nausea to allergic reactions.

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How to replace your air filter

Changing the air filter should be part of any major tune-up, but if you drive on dirt roads or in other dusty conditions, you will need to replace it more frequently. On most cars, this is a fairly simple procedure.

• Pop the hood and find the air-filter housing. It will be either square (on fuel-injected engines) or round (on older carbureted engines) and about 12 inches in diameter.

• Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws or clamps that hold on the top of the housing.

• Take out the old air filter and clean any dirt and debris from the housing with a clean rag.

• Put the new air filter in.

• Screw or clamp the lid of the air-filter housing back on.

Whether you're competing on the track or driving on the highway, everyone can reap the benefit of cabin air filters. Visit www.wixfilters.com.