it’s been a while since I last checked in and I thought now was a good time to resume my writing after being sidelined with an injury. When last we talked, winter was getting going and we were getting our snow shovels out, ready for whatever nature threw at us. Well, while we watched flooding in Southern California, blizzards in the northeast and freezing temperatures in Florida that has us applying for bank loans to get a decent tomato, the northwest’s winter was…er…not very “winter-ish” (much to the chagrin of the many local skiers).

Now, we march into spring amid blooming junipers, cherry blossoms and pollens of every make and model from alders to willows. Unfortunately, with them they bring the watery eyes and runny noses that make us wish it would just get over with!

Now you’re probably wondering,”Hey, Car Counselor, what’s all this got to do with cars?!” Well, this brings me to this week’s tip: changing the cabin air filter in your vehicle.

Most vehicles made in the last 10-12 years (and some before) have cabin air filters in them. Their purpose is exactly what it sounds like – they are placed in the stream of air entering the vehicle for the HVAC system (heating, ventilation, air-conditioning) to filter impurities from the air you breathe the same way the engine air filter cleans the air entering your engine. One important feature is the cabin air filter’s ability to capture pollen (see, I told you I was going somewhere with this!)! So, while nature didn’t throw much at us this winter, plenty of allergens are being thrown around these last couple of (sniffle) weeks. The photos illustrate a new cabin air filter compared with one that’s overdue for service. They can be easily overlooked, but are an important part of vehicle maintenance.

So, get out in your gardens, enjoy the longer days and take a second to see if this simple service may be “itching to be done” (sorry, I couldn’t resist)!

Drive safe,
Todd
“The Car Counselor”

Todd Ainsworth is shop manager at Alki Auto Repair and can be reached at todd400@comcast.net or 935-8059.
Please contact him with your questions about car care. Your question and his answer may appear in a future story.