Spring has sprung and with it we can expect the usual – warmer weather, the arrival of migrating birds returning from their Southern winter refuge and, of course, allergies. If you suffer from allergies, this is a particularly frustrating time of year. You want to escape the cabin fever that winter imposed but, to do so, you have to directly expose yourself to the pollen that is the primary assailant for those who suffer from allergies in the spring.

There are remedies – medications you can take to reduce the symptoms of your affliction. But, nothing provides absolute relief. There’s just no way to completely escape the pollen and its effects, even in your home or your car. It seems the pollen is everywhere.

One thing you can do is use a better filter in your home designed to remove more of the pollen from the air. And, it may surprise you to discover that there is also a filter in your newer-model car to clean the air in the cabin where you and passengers ride. It might be time to replace the cabin filter in your car, too.

Just as you can upgrade the air filter in your furnace to reduce the pollen in your home, you can also upgrade the cabin filter for your car for the same reason. For instance, NAPA Auto Parts sells an EnviroShield Cabin Air Filter that is coated with a patented formula to destroy mold, bacteria, allergens and pathogens. This means you can have cleaner and safer air inside your car, too.

It’s recommended that you replace the cabin filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles. This, however, depends on where you drive. If you live in an urban area, you’ll want to replace the cabin filter more frequently as the air quality in those areas is often poor. Likewise, if you’re driving in a rural area where the pollen levels are high in the spring, you may want to replace the cabin filter more often, too.

In most cars, the cabin filter is relatively easy to replace. It’s often found behind the glove box. There are fasteners that, when removed, allow you to pull the glove box out of the way. To find the procedure to replace the cabin filter in your car, the place to look is in your owner’s manual. Of course, a trusted auto repair shop can also replace the cabin filter for you. *

* Older vehicles may not come equipped with cabin filters.