Ah-choo!

With allergy season in full bloom, auto service experts warn that our cars’ climate control systems might be making the requisite sneezing, sniffling and watery eyes worse instead of better. That’s because many motorists neglect to change their vehicles’ cabin air filters on a regular basis - if they know such a thing even exists in the first place. An integral part of most late-model cars’ ventilation systems, this small filter is responsible for cleaning the incoming air - including removing allergens - and should be replaced every 12,000-15,000 miles, according to the Car Care Council in Bethesda, Md. “A dirty or clogged cabin air filter can cause contaminants to become so concentrated in the cabin that passengers actually breathe in more fumes and particles when riding in the car than when walking down the street,” says Rich White, the Council’s executive director. The filter is easier to replace on some cars than others, so be sure to check the owner’s manual to see whether it’s a D-I-Y project or will require a trip to the shop.