Change the filter in late spring when the pollen is gone.

Your AC needs a better air flow than your heat.

If you or your regular passengers have breathing issues, get a charcoal filter. Otherwise, a regular filter will keep dust out.
Of course, if you change the filter every year, you will realize that they are not very expensive unless you insist that a dealer does the installation.
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Keeping it running is better than buying new

Hi domenic!

I'm happy to have a particulate filter each time I see how dirty they become but having tried both charcoal and cheapo versions, never noticed a difference in air quality, HVAC performance, nothing.

I'm more inclined to spend the extra cash on the fancy filter for my home's HVAC unit and cheap out on the car's since so much more time is spent in the house.

-Will

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XC60 / Odyssey