‘Hidden’ button you’ve never noticed that saves drivers £75

One of YouTube’s most popular mechanisms has given drivers some useful advice that can prevent drivers from feeling unwell behind the wheel and save them money in the process.

Scotty Kilmer has been an auto mechanic for over 55 years and regularly posts short videos on his YouTube channel to help drivers reduce their car costs and prevent damage to their vehicles.

In a popular videoScotty shows drivers how to access the cabin filter and reminds viewers that it needs to be cleaned regularly.

He explained: “Today I’m going to tell you about the hidden air filter that is in your car that no one knows about. It’s called the cabin air filter. You squeeze the glove compartment and it comes out.

“If you look inside, you’ll see a lid that comes off and the cabin air filter comes out. This filters the air going into your air conditioning and heating system.”

Cabin filters, also called pollen filters, are found in almost all modern cars to remove pollutants from the air that enters the cabin.

The filter, which is usually accessed via a button in the glove compartment, is especially useful for drivers or passengers with allergies as it helps them avoid being distracted by coughing or sneezing while on the road.

Without regular cleaning, drivers may experience significantly reduced power or a whistling noise from the vents or a musty odor coming into the vehicle.

To clean the cabin filter and avoid having to spend up to £75 on replacement, Scotty recommended that drivers remove it from the dashboard and hit it on a concrete block to shake out all the dirt.

He advised: “Clean it every now and then by hitting it on concrete until all the crumbs come out. If it’s really dirty, you can go and replace it. My advice is to buy it cheaper online because the auto parts store also charges a lot.

“And if you’re very sensitive to odors like my wife, you can buy one of those black, carbon-activated ones that works better.”

Although carbon-activated air filters are slightly more expensive than standard alternatives, they are more effective at blocking pollutants such as soot, dust and diesel smoke.

Carbon-activated air filters are especially useful for drivers who spend more time in heavy traffic and may closely monitor vehicles with a larger carbon footprint.

Nevertheless, compared to the standard particulate filter, carbon-activated filters require replacement more frequently, with most manufacturers recommending that drivers replace them every 15,000 miles.