Offering cabin air filter service is an excellent opportunity for automotive repair shops to help customers enjoy clean air inside the car while, at the same time, build a profit. Giving special attention to customers and their families, who might be sensitive to the dust and pollen that is in the air, provides yet another chance to draw the customer into your shop.

“A fresh cabin air filter cleans the air that the driver and passengers breathe, reduces the accumulation of dust inside a car, and helps keep the interior air clean and free from pollen, dust and allergens,” said Chuck Kerrigan, director of marketing for Purolator Filters NA LLC. Purolator manufactures and supplies BreatheEasy cabin air filters for most domestic and imported vehicles in the North American automotive aftermarket.

Although, years ago, vehicle manufacturers and automotive parts companies recognized the need for a filter to help clean the air that enters a vehicle through its vents, few motorists seem to be aware of their existence, or the benefits they offer in helping us breathe clean, healthy air while we drive.

Current data shows that over 100 million vehicles in operation in the U.S. have been factory-equipped with cabin air filters. According to Kerrigan, “Despite the fact that nearly all of today’s cars come factory-equipped with a cabin air filter, often, they go unnoticed and – more important – unserviced.” For best results, Purolator recommends a vehicle’s cabin air filter be replaced every 12 months or 12,000-18,000 miles.

Purolator’s BreatheEasy cabin air filters feature specially engineered, media that can capture and hold even the finest particles of contaminants such as dust, soot, pollen, fungus and bacteria.

Two kinds of cabin filters are available for modern vehicles – the particulate cabin filter and the activated charcoal cabin filter. The particulate cabin filter features more surface area to filter out pollutants and irritants. The filters are also electrostatically charged, similar to many household HVAC filters, ensuring that particles stay attached to the filter.

The activated charcoal cabin filter adsorbs most toxic and foul-smelling gases such as ozone, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide and hydrocarbons, keeping odors out of the cabin.

Purolator offers both particulate and activated charcoal cabin air filters for many vehicles. Either type may be available depending on the make/model of a vehicle.

Cabin air filters can be installed anywhere from less than 10 minutes to about an hour, depending on the location. They are usually found under the dash, behind the glove box, or in the air box in the engine compartment. Most BreatheEasy cabin air filters come packaged with clearly illustrated vehicle-specific instructions that make installation simple for do-it-yourselfers (DIYers) or professional technicians.

Also available to everyone, are the Purolator PROs, a team of experts who will answer any filter-related question, free of charge, via personal e-mail. Purolator PROs can be contacted through the Purolator website at www.purolatorautofilters.com. The website also includes a wealth of information on every type of automotive filter, including online part number look-up, Purolator Gear (caps, jackets, and other great items), as well as details on special deals and promotions.

Refer to the vehicle owner’s manual or visit the Application Guide on Purolator’s website at www.BreatheEasyCabinFilters.com to see if a vehicle has a cabin air filter.

Finally, suggested Kerrigan, “the beginning of spring is the best time to replace the cabin air filter. On the one hand, the cabin air filter that has been subjected to a particularly high level of dampness during fall and winter becomes a breeding ground for mildew and bacteria. On the other hand, the filtering effect needs to be at an optimum level with the onset of the pollen season. As cabin air filters retain pollen very effectively, allergy sufferers can drive safely and free of stress — without streaming eyes and sneezing fits.”

Purolator is a proud supporter of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association’s (AASA) Know Your Parts education and awareness campaign. This initiative promotes the importance of quality brand name aftermarket parts backed by full service suppliers to preserve the industry’s good reputation. For more information, visit www.AASAKnowYourParts.org.

To learn more about Purolator filters and the filtration category, visit www.purolatorautofilters.com.

To learn more about Purolator Breathe Easy cabin air filters, visit www.BreatheEasycabinfilters.com.