Engine Air Filter vs. Cabin Air Filter
When the time comes for maintenance inside or outside your Mazda vehicle, filter replacements are a big deal. Whether it's the engine air filter, cabin air filter, or additional filters throughout your car, it's good to understand their differences. People often wonder about the differences between an engine air filter vs. cabin air filter, especially regarding purpose and replacement. You will have different schedules for most of the upkeep on your Mazda, which this post aims to help explain.
Stay tuned as we dive deeper into the differences between engine air filters vs. cabin air filters!
Engine Air Filters
When it comes to the engine air filters of a vehicle, these have one primary goal: to clean the air inside the engine to keep it free from dirt and debris. You can expect these to be inside all Mazda nameplates, as they help keep your everyday driving experience problem-free. Location-wise, the engine air filter will be located under the hood of your car, and they should be easily identifiable. One thing to note, however, is that you might need a screwdriver or socket set to get the housing for your air filter open.
What they do: Engine air filters maintain a clean, debris-free engine.
Cabin Air Filters
Moving onto the cabin air filters inside a Mazda—their main purpose is to keep the air inside your cabin clean. Whenever you turn on the A/C inside your vehicle, you rely on a filtration system to keep dust, dirt, and other harmful particles out of the main cabin. The same goes for when the heat is on or there is no warm or cool air actively blowing around you. Your engine expels its toxic fumes via your car's exhaust system, although it doesn't always make it out that way. Therefore, a cabin air filter doing some heavy lifting is crucial.
Location-wise, a model's cabin air filter can be found in the ductwork that delivers outside air to the HVAC system. It may be located in the engine compartment near the base of the windshield or behind the glovebox.
What they do: Cabin air filters ensure the area where drivers and passengers sit is clean from toxic or harmful debris, dirt, dust, and particles.
Engine Air Filter vs. Cabin Air Filter
When comparing the engine air filter vs. cabin air filter, the two do the same thing but for different vehicle components. As we shared, the engine air filter is responsible for maintaining a clean engine, while the cabin air filter will eliminate harmful particles in the main cabin where people sit. You will need to replace both filters so they are alike in that respect. However, from a location-specific point of view, the two are very different in their day-to-day duties.
Verdict: Both will ensure your engine and passengers are surrounded by clean air and conditions.
How Often to Change Air Filters
As part of their annual and bi-annual maintenance duties, Mazda owners must periodically replace the engine and cabin air filters inside their models. The manufacturer has recommended timeframes for both filters, along with other general care suggestions, which we recommend following. To buy engine or cabin filters, it is a good idea to shop for OEM parts, which Mazda Part Direct proudly carries.
Engine Air Filter
Mazda recommends replacing the engine air filter in your car, truck, or SUV every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. You can usually get away with waiting to do this until the 2-3 year mark and should schedule your filter replacement around the same time as your cabin air filter appointment. By doing this, you can keep a better schedule for annual and bi-annual filter replacements and fluid adjustments on your vehicle.
How often to replace: Every 15,000 to 30,000 miles
Cabin Air Filter
Regarding the timeline for replacing the cabin air filter inside a Mazda nameplate, the manufacturer recommends doing this every 15,000 miles. Depending on how often you drive, this could be every 12 months, although you may be able to stretch it to the 1.5-year mark. Of course, if you aren't sure when the last cabin air filter went into your vehicle, Mazda Part Direct will be here to assist.
How often to replace: Every 15,000 miles
How to Replace an Engine Air Filter
When you're ready to replace the engine air filter in your car, you will need to do the following:
Locate the engine air filter housing under your car's hood.
Disengage the clips/screws to open the housing.
Remove the old filter, paying attention to its orientation.
If the compartment is dirty, clean it with a cloth or vacuum.
Insert your new engine air filter, close the compartment, and you're done!
One thing to note is that many engine air filter compartments will have latches or clips you can press down on to open. If your Mazda has screws, you will need to remove them to insert a new filter. Please refer to your owner's manual for specifics on this.
How to Replace a Cabin Air Filter
If you're ready to replace the cabin air filter inside your Mazda, this should be straightforward. As we said earlier, this can be located in a few places, although glovebox positioning is the most common. Here are the steps to follow:
Remove the glove box pin, open your glovebox, and empty it.
Gently press on either side of your glovebox and remove it.
With the exposed cabin air filter present, remove it.
Clean the surrounding housing with a damp cloth or vacuum.
Slide a new cabin air filter into the glovebox compartment.
Insert your glovebox back into its original position, put everything back where it was, and you're finished!
Note: Your Mazda's glovebox should be the location of your cabin air filter. You must remove the glovebox to expose the filter and compartment, so keep all valuables and vehicle information safe during this replacement. If you've locked your glovebox, you will need to unlock it during this time.
Air Filter FAQs
Now that you better understand the differences between an engine air filter vs. cabin air filter, you may still need some help to answer related questions. Use the below FAQ to learn even more about this process and why some things are required when dealing with the upkeep of your new or used vehicle.
How many air filters does a car have?
Most standard-size cars will have two air filters. However, this can vary by model, so we recommend checking with your dealership and owner's manual before purchasing new filters. The two air filters you must replace every 15,000-30,000 miles are the cabin air filter and the engine air filter.
Can I clean and reuse air filters?
In general, cleaning and reusing air filters inside your vehicle is not recommended. Whether they're for the cabin or engine, you want to purchase a new OEM filter for your Mazda, etc., to ensure it can clean the surrounding climate with zero issues. Disposable air filters tend to be more powerful than reusable ones.
Does changing air filters affect my vehicle's warranty?
Using incorrect filters or refusing to change them will often lead to warranty problems. For Mazda nameplates specifically, you want to purchase OEM engine and cabin air filters and follow the scheduled maintenance recommended by the manufacturer to stay in good graces with the official warranty terms. A dirty or incorrect filter can create warranty-voiding problems inside your vehicle. We recommend playing it safe and following the rules.
If you have further questions, please contact us at Mazda Part Direct. It's always better to be safe than sorry!
How can I check if my air filters need changing?
If you suspect your Mazda or other brand vehicle needs new air filters, the best way to check them would be to locate them and their compartments and inspect them for dirt, debris, or damage. You would follow our above replacement steps to conduct an inspection, so you may need to allow some time for this. Again, the general rule of thumb for cabin air filter and engine air filter replacements is every 15,000-ish miles driven.
Again, every vehicle is different, and depending on your driving habits, you might require more frequent filter replacements. Whatever the case, we suggest contacting your local dealership with any filter-related queries.
Shop Air Filters at Mazda Part Direct
To wrap up this article, it's essential to shop directly through authorized Mazda part retailers, like Mazda Part Direct, for your filters. Whether you need a cabin air filter, engine air filter, or both, we can guide you through this process and ensure your car only uses OEM pieces. This will keep your warranty intact and is oftentimes the best way to maintain a Mazda nameplate.