Denso advises Motors Factors and workshops on CAFs
Motor Factors and workshops have a significant part to play in educating motorists on the importance of the Cabin Air Filter in keeping fresh clean air circulating in the vehicle, according to Denso.
Paul Payne, manager, Denso Aftermarket Sales UK – part of Denso, the world’s leading developers of OE automotive Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems – explores the educational role motor factors and garages can play.
If you’ve ever experienced sneezing, watering eyes or headaches when travelling in a car, you’ll suspect that an inefficient or blocked Cabin Air Filter is to blame. But how aware are your customers? As industry experts, garages can play an important role in encouraging motorists to have their Cabin Air Filter replaced not just at every major service – but on an annual basis or even more frequently.
Technologies
There are two main types of Cabin Air Filter technology:
Particle (pollen) filters
Particle Cabin Air Filters will trap and hold fine pollutants such as dust, bacteria, pollen, soot and exhaust fumes, preventing them from entering the car’s cabin and ensuring a safer, more pleasant in-car environment.
Combination (carbon) filters
Combination Cabin Air Filters perform even better compared to Particle filters (up to 25% better), and have an important additional function – they also prevent odours from reaching the noses of the driver and passengers inside the car. This is achieved by adding a layer of activated charcoal to the filter medium, creating an effective ‘adsorption’ process that condenses the gas on the surface.
Without effective Cabin Air Filtration motorists can be affected by a variety of potentially harmful air pollutants entering the comfort zone of their car, including dust particles, bacteria, soot, pollen and harmful gases.
Over time, such pollutants can cause health problems as dust particles and fumes are inhaled into the body’s respiratory system. In addition, a dirty Cabin Air Filter could compromise the performance of the HVAC system as a whole.
Problems that can arise include:
Decreasing the CAF’S ability to remove dust particles
Losing its electrostatic charge
Increasing the pressure drop, thereby stressing the HVAC system
Trouble demisting windows
In severe cases health problems could even be caused, due to the rise in bacteria allowed to enter the car.
Replacement intervals
To ensure optimum performance, every Cabin Air Filter is replaced at least once a year, every 10,000 – 15,000 km, or as specified by the vehicle manufacturer. Why? Because Cabin Air Filters eventually become less efficient as dust and dirt builds up. Dirty filters can even harbour mildews and bacteria, causing allergies and discomfort. What’s more, failure to change a dirty filter will greatly reduce the air quality inside the vehicle.
Ensuring the CAF is replaced on a regular basis will:
Create a more hygienic car interior
Encourage high filtration efficiency and good HVAC performance
Reduce the risk of damaged HVAC systems
Business potential
Make sure you educate your motorist customers about the importance of replacing their Cabin Air Filter regularly. Once they understand the all-round benefits, it could generate additional future business for your company. And because there are no unusual tools required, it won’t cost you anything.