Advance Auto Parts encourages motorists in the Northeast and Midwest to examine their cabin air filters due to deteriorating air quality in the area

Wildfire smoke continues to impact the Northeast and Midwest. Residents are closing windows, operating air purifiers, and reviewing home air filters. Yet vehicles already include built-in safeguards that most people overlook and rarely service.

Recent national data released earlier this year shows that half of American drivers remain unaware their vehicle even includes a cabin air filter. Additionally, 54 percent have never changed theirs.

The Filter Drivers Often OverlookYour cabin air filter captures smoke particles, pollen, and other contaminants before they reach the vehicle interior via the HVAC system. During wildfire events when air quality drops sharply, a clean filter determines whether you breathe filtered air or smoke-laden air on the road. Neglected filters become blocked and allow smoke to pass through.

Key Statistics for DriversThe findings highlight a clear shortfall in on-road protection habits:

71 percent of allergy sufferers replace their home air filters every 90 days, yet only 51 percent have ever changed a car cabin filter
68 percent of drivers value interior vehicle air quality but fail to take action
55 percent of drivers spend four or more hours each week inside their vehicles

Steps to Take This Week

Find your filter. Consult your owner's manual. It is typically located behind the glove box or beneath the hood. The manual provides precise access instructions.
Check its condition. Hold the filter to a light source. Gray, brown, or visibly blocked appearance means replacement is needed immediately. Fresh filters look mostly white or light in color.
Follow replacement timing. Most cabin air filters require changes every 12,000 to 15,000 miles or at minimum once yearly, based on driving habits and local air conditions.
Activate recirculation. On high-smoke days, switch to recirculation mode to limit outside air intake and enhance filter effectiveness.

Advance Auto Parts carries cabin air filters for all vehicle makes and models. Check AdvanceAutoParts.com or visit a nearby store to locate the correct filter.

Atomik Research

About Advance Auto Parts:Advance Auto Parts, Inc. serves as a major provider of automotive aftermarket parts for both professional installers and do-it-yourself customers. As of April 25, 2026, Advance ran 4,308 stores mainly across the United States plus sites in Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The company also supports 797 independently owned Carquest stores in these areas along with Mexico and select Caribbean islands. More details on Advance, including job openings, customer support, and online parts shopping, appear at www.AdvanceAutoParts.com.

Atomik Research surveyed 1,000 adult vehicle owners and operators, half of whom handle seasonal allergies at home. Margin of error: plus or minus 3 percentage points at 95 percent confidence level.

SOURCE Advance Auto Parts