A cabin filter is present in every car, especially when it comes to a new vehicle. Probably, there is no longer a need to paint all the benefits that these necessary elements bring. But at the same time, many motorists are asking themselves this question, which cabin filter is better - carbon or ordinary? To answer this question, you have to do an analysis of these filter elements, as well as identify their advantages and disadvantages.
The need for a cabin filter
This element, which is so necessary for each car, appeared relatively recently - it began to be installed in serial vehicles since 1991. His main responsibility is to clean the air entering the car from various contaminants.
One can only imagine the concentration of dust and other dirt on the roads and sidewalks! Therefore, they began to use filter elements in order to protect the driver and his passengers from the harmful effects of such toxic substances.
This element provides protection not only from the harmful emissions of neighboring cars. And also with its help it is possible to prevent the penetration of poplar fluff, pollen and that variety of dust that is on the roadway, especially a lot of it on country roads.
Before proceeding to a discussion of which cabin filter is better - carbon or ordinary (photos will be presented in the article for a better visual perception of information), it is worth touching on other possible threats. As a rule, the non-freezing liquid, which is necessary for cleaning the windows of a vehicle during the winter, contains isoprapanol in its composition. In the people, such a tool is called an "anti-freeze." But if you inhale for a long time the vapors of this liquid with a high content of the substance mentioned, then a headache may occur, respiratory organs will be prone to irritation. In addition, it affects the eyes, and not for the better. The maximum concentration of isoprapanol occurs in the first 5 seconds, when the "non-freezing" is fed to the glass.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) is also a serious threat to all those inside the car. Inhaling even a small amount of this gas, airway resistance increases. Even healthy people will have difficulty breathing.
Classic Cabin Filter
Today, the question of which cabin filter is better - carbon or ordinary, is asked by every driver who cares about their own health. And in order to answer it, it is necessary to understand what they are.
The classic option for a car interior is an anti-dust or anti-allergenic filter element, a rectangular shape, of which synthetic or cellulosic material is a part. Horizontal plates are formed from it, located at an equal distance from each other. A kind of accordion of a famous musical instrument, but in a slightly different way.
Such a filter is able to clean the air entering the car interior from dust. But besides this, such an element also retains plant pollen, soot, including heavy chemical compounds. If during the production the filter element passes chlorine treatment, then subsequently it is able to neutralize a number of dangerous bacteria.
Coal option
Unlike a conventional cabin filter, the carbon version contains an additional layer of activated carbon. In fact, this is an advanced classic dust unit. From a structural point of view, this filter element consists of several layers:
- Coarse filtrate - necessary to retain large particles of air flow.
- Microfiber - helps to retain suspended dust particles.
- Layer of activated carbon - capable of holding not only dust and pollen, but also effectively stop harmful sulfur compounds, organic hydrocarbons.
But most importantly, such a filter is able to delay unpleasant, and sometimes even harmful smells from the exhaust system of nearby moving cars. And all this thanks to the absorbent properties of activated carbon.
The filters neutralize the benzene and phenolic group of substances that pose a serious threat to the human body. When carcinogens are combined with coal, an absorption (purification) process occurs with the complete absorption of hazardous compounds, including their partial neutralization.
Now, to understand which cabin filter is better - carbon or ordinary, you should get acquainted with their advantages and disadvantages.
Benefits of Filter Elements
Now it's time to find out what are the advantages of conventional and carbon filters. Let's start with the usual products:
- functions regardless of whether the vehicle is moving or standing still;
- glasses fog up significantly less;
- the fan can be left turned on when driving in a tunnel or while in traffic;
- filtering large and small particles of pollution, including pollen, bacteria, insects;
- reasonable price (for many drivers this is one of the important selection criteria).
The coal version also has its advantages:
- The degree of filtration of all harmful compounds is 95%.
- In addition to getting rid of harmful compounds, the filter is able to eliminate unpleasant odors.
- Removes harmful volatile compounds.
- Hazardous to the human body, ozone is converted to oxygen.
- Glass fogging practically does not occur.
- When driving through a tunnel or while in traffic, you can also not turn off the fan.
And which cabin filter is better - coal or ordinary - for winter or summer? As you can see, the carbon filter element has a few more advantages.
In addition, they are also significantly more beneficial for the driver and his passengers.
A number of disadvantages
Unfortunately, both versions of the filter elements for the vehicle interior, in addition to the obvious advantages, have a number of disadvantages. Cons of a conventional cabin filter:
- extraneous odors are not eliminated;
- for harmful and toxic compounds such a filter is not a hindrance.
As for the coal counterpart, there is only one, but a significant drawback is the high cost. But, fortunately, the negative aspects of both types of filters are still less when compared with their advantages.
Comparative analysis
As you can already guess, when comparing two filtering elements for a car interior, the championship deservedly goes to coal construction. Its main distinguishing feature is the presence of an additional layer of activated carbon.
Some car enthusiasts who think about which cabin filter is better than a carbon filter or a regular one for summer or winter may think that the first option is a tricky move by marketers in the name of enrichment. But this time it is really a reliable and necessary thing. It is due to activated carbon that harmful impurities in the air are retained. Conventional paper construction is simply not able to do this. But, as you know, polluted air adversely affects the human body.
With a lack of oxygen, the circulatory and nervous systems are exposed to harmful effects. Because of nitric oxide, vision deteriorates, mucous membranes are dried, in addition to everything, an allergic reaction can begin. Therefore, in order to protect your health, it makes sense to purchase a carbon filter.
In addition, the unsatisfactory condition of the driver sooner or later, but inevitably can lead to an emergency on the road.
Is the game worth the candle?
The price of a high-quality filter element is three times higher than the cost of a conventional cellulose analogue. In this regard, a logical question may arise - is the game worth the candle, and maybe still not overpay ?! According to many reviews, carbon cabin filters show wonderful results. When traveling in the city, especially in large cities, where the concentration of harmful substances is maximum, there is really no smell or other dangerous compounds in the cabin.
In addition, with the help of an expensive filter, it is possible to reliably clean the air of nitrogen oxide and dioxide. We are already aware of the dangers of these chemical compounds for the human body. Their concentration in the air decreases dozens of times before it enters the vehicle interior. This not only favorably affects the well-being of the driver and passengers, but also preserves their health.
It should be noted that this applies only to high-quality filter elements that are produced in the factory. Unfortunately, in our time you can come across a craft or products made with ignoring all the rules and regulations.
Charcoal Filter Life
Now there should be no doubt which cabin filter is better - carbon! At least judging by the pros and cons of both products. Now it’s worth familiarizing yourself with another equally important point - what is the duration of its operation? There is only one reason for this - I don’t want to pay a high price if the carbon counterpart becomes unusable faster than the classic filter. The shelf life of activated carbon is 4 months, but the system itself can work longer.
In many respects, the density of the coal layer affects the duration of full operation. As a rule, this indicator should be in the range of 150-500 grams per m 2 . At the same time, the thicker the filter material, the lower the air permeability. This significantly affects the functioning of air conditioning and heating systems, and more often than not for the better.
In addition, there are situations when expensive filters have an active layer so thin that it is not able to cope with its task than the cellulose version.
Analog or original?
Which vehicle manufacturer is better to give preference to? Should I buy original products or can I purchase an analogue? In addition, there is an argument in favor of the latter - such filters are significantly cheaper than the original elements. In addition, and among inexpensive designs, you can find quite high-quality products.
When compiling your rating of cabin filters (coal or classic), you must be guided by important parameters:
- The maximum value of the dust transmittance , which should be no more than 10%.
- The aerodynamic drag of the filter must also be within acceptable limits. For a clean design, it should not exceed 50 mm water column. For a clogged element, a maximum of 150 mm. water Art.
By and large, buying an analogue or an original filter is a purely individual issue that each owner of the vehicle decides how he wants.
Decent manufacturer of cabin filters
Among most motorists, the Bosch brand is deservedly very popular. And this is no accident, since the company always remains at its best, trying to constantly improve the quality of its products.
Although good Bosch cabin carbon filters are more expensive than conventional options, at the same time, the price remains acceptable to many consumers. Despite this, such products can still be classified as budget ones, since their quality is not the best among the variety of analogues on the market. There are still some flaws. But at least Bosch filters perform their task of air purification at the proper level.
Another popular brand that can be found in the modern automotive market is Corteco. Such products are also in high demand, and the cost is consistent with quality.
At the same time, filters from the companies Mann Filter (Czech Republic) and Raf Filter (Russia, China) have high aerodynamic drag, including permissible transmittance of dust and harmful substances.
Raf Filter has solutions with antibacterial and antifungal properties. Such filters passed the test of time with dignity, which confirmed their high efficiency.
No less worthy brands
Which cabin filter is better - carbon or ordinary? In relation to manufacturers, you can pay attention to other equally well-known brands. Some premium cars come off the assembly line already equipped with filters. For example, Eiken products are often placed on Japanese-made vehicles.
The list of manufacturers with expensive, but at the same time high-quality cabin filters includes Valeo. Their coal-type products are expensive, but since the company holds the brand and values its reputation, you can not worry about quality. After installing these filters, you can once and for all rid yourself of unpleasant odors.
Cabin Filter Location
The location of the air filter in the cabin depends on the specific vehicle model. In most cases, it is located behind the wall of the glove compartment compartment. In this case, any driver is able to make a replacement - special skills, abilities, as well as special tools, are not required here. It is only necessary to remove the glove box itself from the fasteners (detailed instructions are attached to each car) and pull out the structure that holds the filter element.
For some models, such a detail is hidden under the dashboard, which imposes certain difficulties in terms of access. It can also be located in the engine compartment.
And which side to put the cabin carbon filter? In this case, you need to pay attention to the marking, where you can find the inscription UP with the up arrow, as well as air flow with two down arrows.
Here you can get confused, but it is easiest to focus on the inscription itself - it should be located as it is read. In other words, with the inscription UP, the arrows should be directed upwards, and with air flow - down. It should be clarified that the inscription UP is applied to the original products, and air flow corresponds to some analogue.
Summarizing
It is impossible to unequivocally answer the question “Which of the two filters is better?”. Mostly it depends on the specific traffic conditions. Their analysis shows that paper filters are capable of providing mechanical cleaning of the air flow entering the car interior. Coal analogues plus this prevent the penetration of volatile contaminants.
We have already familiarized ourselves with the main differences between the carbon cabin air filter and the usual one. If the driver spends most of the time in the city limits, he often needs to be in traffic jams, and besides, sometimes smog is present in the air, then the option is clear - a carbon filter. We have already talked about its most important advantages.
As for the suburban conditions, then you can limit yourself to the possibilities of the classic version.
What do motorists think?
Many drivers who have a need to replace the cabin filter experience certain difficulties - what element to put? Based on the material provided, some conclusions can be drawn.
Judging by the numerous reviews of professional drivers and beginners regarding which is better to put a filter in the car interior, some are of the opinion that the coal version really helps in eliminating unpleasant odors. Others, on the contrary, noticed a “special aroma” when using it.
Still others did not see any differences regarding whether the cabin filter is better - carbon or ordinary. Reviews, as you can understand, do not always give a clear understanding. In other words, the coal option really helps someone, but not the other. True, this again confirms the fact that much depends on specific road conditions.
Therefore, drivers, choosing between a charcoal and a classic filter, should pay attention to the conditions under which they will move on their vehicle.