Does a car air-conditioner filter the air it takes in from the environment?

3Apr2008 Filed under: Air Conditioner Author: admin

GV Raj asked:

Is there any filter in the intake tube of a car air-conditioning system meant to stop microbes, dust and other foreign particles from entering the car together wit the cooled air?

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

5 Responses to “Does a car air-conditioner filter the air it takes in from the environment?”

bergab_hase
April 5th, 2008 at 11:06 am

Depends on the car. More expensive models such as Audis and BMWs have dust filters. Cheaper cars don’t.

However, even the best filters don’t get rid of VOC (Volatile organic compounds) produced by exhaust pipes of the cars in front of you.
V*Dub
April 7th, 2008 at 10:32 pm

Yes, my car filters the air from dust, pollen, microbes, ect.
I have a 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible
Sohrab S
April 10th, 2008 at 7:32 pm

My mom’s BMW has one. If a car doesn’t, then can’t dirt and everything get in too?
Me again
April 12th, 2008 at 3:08 pm

Some do, some don’t. It’s more of a luxury. But like a lot of things that start out as luxuries, they will eventually find their way into the lower-end vehicles. If you’re concerned about airborne particulates and such getting in to your car through the air conditioner system, run your system on the recirculate setting. That way, much less outside air is being brought into the car.
num1huckfinn
April 14th, 2008 at 2:44 pm

Actually Ladies n Gents, the A/C system does not have a filter because it is a sealed system and cannot take in air.

What you are referring to as the A/C system filter is actually the cabin intake air filter and no, not all cars have them, but most manufacturers are starting to put them on all vehicle lines.

Depending on the car make and model will tell you if you have a cabin filter or not.

Also, the only thing an A/C system does on your car is recycle refrigerant, the blower motor is what pulls and blows air into and out of your cabin. It also recycles the air in your cabin past the A/C evaporator and the heater core therefore giving you cold air or hot air at the vents