We all love a sunny summer drive, but if you have seasonal allergies like hay fever, the warmer months can be a struggle. 

But did you know our cars have a built-in defence system? Your car’s cabin filter filters out contaminants including pollen, helping you to breathe easier!

What is a pollen filter? 

Your car has a cabin filter (sometimes called a pollen filter) designed to filter out pollution and debris from the air being brought into your car.  

Think of it like a sieve – it lets the outside air in while catching all the contaminants you don’t want to be breathing in. It’s usually found behind the glove box and is made of a papery multifibre material that’s perfect for catching airborne particles, dirt – and pollen.  

If you suffer from hay fever, your pollen filter does a really important job. This means you can still enjoy the cool air brought in by your air conditioning system without the side effects of allergies. 

How often to change a pollen filter  

Like any filter, your pollen filter will get clogged up over time as you use it. All the airborne grime it captures will build up, restricting how much air can get through and reducing the effectiveness of the filter. 

So, your pollen filter will need to be replaced every so often to make sure it’s working at its best. Most manufacturers recommend you change your pollen filter every 12,000-15,000 miles, or once a year – whichever comes first. 

However, if you live in an area with a lot of pollution (like a city) or routinely park underneath trees, we’d recommend you change it more often since it’s likely getting clogged up quicker. 

You may also want to change it sooner if you have severe hay fever, to make sure you’re not left suffering. 

How to tell if cabin air filter needs replacing 

  • It’s been 12 months or 12,000 – 15,000 miles since the last change

  • There’s a musty smell inside the car

  • Your windows are misty

We generally recommend changing your pollen filter just before the spring, to make sure you’re ready for the hay fever season. 

If it is time for a replacement pollen filter, it’s thankfully quite a simple process you can do yourself at home. We’ve got a full step-by-step guide on how to change your cabin filter to help you. 

We’ll also change your cabin filter during our Major Service, as well as your oil filter, air filter, engine oil and brake fluid.