Milex Complete Auto Care recommends preparing your car for allergy season by changing your cabin air filter to keep you healthy and reduce symptoms this year.

While warmer temperatures are a welcome relief, the blooming flowers and new leaves on trees also signal the start of allergy season. More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies.  Allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the United States, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, a nonprofit patient organization for people with allergies and asthma. An allergy occurs when the immune system reacts to a foreign substance. Typical reactions are coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, and a sore throat, the AAFA reported. The most common causes of allergies are tree, grass, and weed pollen, which are out in abundance during the spring season.

The best way to keep allergies at bay is to avoid your allergy triggers, the AAFA reported. They recommend keeping the windows of your home and car closed and taking a shower when you come in from outside.

Replace Clogged Air Filters

While keeping your car windows closed can go a long way to banish allergens, there’s another easy step you can take to stay healthy. Your car is equipped with a cabin air filter that keeps harmful pollutants, such as pollen, dust, bacteria, and exhaust gases, out of the air you breathe while driving. The cabin air filter is typically located behind the glove box in your vehicle. It is made of pleated, multi-fiber paper, cotton, or other engineered material designed to trap harmful debris. Milex Complete Auto Care recommends replacing your air filter prior to the start of pollen season to keep allergens out of your vehicle.

Changing your car’s air filter will also ensure that the HVAC system runs efficiently. A clogged air filter makes your car’s heating and cooling system work harder, which could eventually cause the HVAC motor to overheat and need replacing.

A clogged air filter can also hamper your vehicle’s ability to clear fog and condensation from the windshield and car windows. It can also increase the likelihood your car’s windows will fog up. Replacing the air filter will help improve visibility by increasing airflow.

When you get your oil changed, many repair shops will recommend a new cabin air filter. Take a hard look at the air filter before agreeing to a replacement. If it looks dirty and you see leaves and debris trapped in the filter, it’s time to replace it. However, if the air filter looks relatively clean and free of debris, you can hold off on a replacement. While the timing of replacing a cabin air filter depends on the make and model of your vehicle, a good rule of thumb is to replace it every 15,000 to 30,000 miles.

Other Ways to Improve Air Quality in Your Vehicle

In addition to improving the air quality in your car by replacing your cabin air filter, there are other steps you can take to keep allergies at bay.

• Spot check the weather stripping on your doors and windows to ensure they are still sealing properly.
• Regularly vacuum your car’s upholstery and floor mats.
• Wipe down interior surfaces to remove any dust, pollen, or debris.
• Wash the exterior of your car regularly. Getting rid of that pesky yellow pollen will prevent you from tracking it into the car. Plus, over time, the acidity in pollen can damage your car’s paint job.

Rather than stocking up on tissues this year, consider replacing your air filter to reduce allergy symptoms. Visit your local Milex Complete Auto Care location to get your car ready for spring.