Is your car killing you? If left unchanged, a £10 air filter can trap harmful allergens and bacteria
Drivers are being urged by Volkswagen to change their old filters that are riddled with a 12-year high pollen count, air pollution and fungal spores
FUNGUS could be filling your lungs while you drive, as old and dirty air filters can trap harmful bacteria that’s fanned through your car’s vents.
Drivers are now being urged by Volkswagen to regularly change the car part, which can cost as little as £10.
The car maker found that over a quarter of commercial vehicle owners do not change filters often.
It is important for hayfever sufferers, in particular, as filters can become blocked with ‘pollen bombs’ gathered from the 12-year-high pollen count – causing what VW calls filter flu.
Millions of people were left unable to work due to allergies this summer and UK businesses lost nearly five days per hayfever-stricken employee, according to Allergy UK.
NHS England also advises all drivers to buy a pollen filter for their car air vents.
Further to allergens, filters trap dust, soot and fungal spores, while a carbon filter – or specifically, an activated charcoal micro filter layer – can absorb air pollution.
A clean filter can also help a driver’s visibility by clearing foggy windows quicker.
Changing a filter usually takes no longer than 30 minutes – and they are normally found underneath the glovebox compartment.
While there isn’t a set amount of miles you should consider replacing a cabin filter, manufacturers recommend every 10,000-15,000.
However, drivers in heavily polluted areas or those who regularly drive off-road, may want to consider changing their filter every 5,000 miles.
VW also urges severe hayfever sufferers to change pollen filters before and after the summer season, especially those who use their car often for work, like van drivers.
Trevor Hodgson-Phillips, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles head of service and parts, said: “Downtime remains a huge problem for van users whether that’s the vehicle being off the road or the driver.
“We advised van owners before the summer to replace old air filters to reduce hay fever suffering and it’s just as important to replace blocked filters ahead of winter, especially after a record year for pollen.
“This is an example of quick and low cost maintenance that helps to keep the driver and the van on the road.”