Both cabin and engine filters are designed to keep your vehicle from contaminants. The cabin filter is located below the dashboard. It is designed to keep the allergens and dust out of the HVAC system. The engine air filter is inside of your engine. It is designed to keep the dirt and contaminants out of your vehicle. There are many signs that you will notice if your cabin filter needs to be replaced. You may notice a change in the air quality. Keep in mind that your cabin filter typically needs to be changed every 20,000 to 30,000 miles.
Your driving performance will be impacted if the engine air filter needs to be changed. The fuel efficiency will also drop. You will likely need to get the engine air filter changed every 12,000 to 30,000 miles. The type of vehicle that you have will also determine how often the engine air filter needs to be changed.