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'I Feel Like I Wanna Throw Up': Texas Woman Gets In Car. Then She Realizes Something About The Air Filter

'Get your oil and oil filter at AutoZone...'

Texas Woman Gets In Car

Photo by: Unsplash.com

Stacy Fernandez

By: Stacy Fernandez

Apr 13, at 4:00pm ET

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You’re used to getting an oil change or rotating your tires. It’s a regular part of the maintenance process, but there’s also one thing you should be doing that a lot of people overlook.

And apparently, the consequences are worse than most people realize.

Cabin Air Filter Issue

In a video with around 5,000 views, content creator Jaleesa Diggs (@leesabeast.222) has a message for anyone who hasn't thought about their cabin air filter in a while.

She explains that she was given a car and told up front that the cabin filter had never been changed. When she actually pulled it out and looked at it, it was exactly as bad as that sounds.

"I look at the cabin filter: It absolutely looked like they never changed it," she says. "Was a leaf in there. I said, ‘How did a leaf even get in here?’"

But the real problem wasn't the filter itself; it was what she was breathing every time she got in the car.

"Every time I turn on the windshield wiper fluid, why am I smelling it?" she says. "Whole time it's because the thing need to be changed."

The physical symptoms were just as bad. "Every time I get in the car, I feel like I wanna throw up," she says. "Every time I get in the car, I'm dizzy."

Diggs said her new filter is already on the way and, in the caption, urges others to “change that mfer."

What Are Cabin Air Filters?

The cabin air filter sits inside your car's HVAC ductwork and filters everything coming in from outside before it reaches you.

According to AAA, it includes dust, dirt, leaves, twigs, insects, soot, smog, mildew, pollen, mold spores, fungi, bacteria, and rodent droppings. A neglected filter doesn't just smell bad; it can cause real symptoms.

The Filter Manufacturers Council estimates that 40 million Americans suffer from allergies caused or worsened by airborne particulates, and a clogged filter lets all of that straight into the cabin. Sneezing, blurred vision, runny nose, headaches, and dizziness are all documented symptoms.

Signs your cabin filter needs to be changed:

Reduced airflow from your vents
Musty or persistent bad odors inside the car (including exhaust smells)
More dust than usual is settling on interior surfaces
Windows fogging up easily or taking longer to defrost
Smelling wiper fluid when you use it
Nausea or dizziness when you get in the car

Types of cabin air filters:

Standard filter: traps about 98% of particles in the 5–100 micron range; most common contaminants get caught, but smaller particles like soot and mold spores can slip through.
HEPA filter: filters down to 0.3 microns at 99.97% efficiency, the best protection against fine particles.
Carbon/activated charcoal filter: chemically treated to also absorb odors, including exhaust gases, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, and mildew; some include baking soda for an even wider range of smells.

How Often Do You Replace Cabin Air Filters And How?

According to Jiffy Lube, most manufacturers recommend replacing the cabin air filter every 15,000 to 30,000 miles, though you should check your owner's manual for the exact interval. Replace it sooner if you drive in areas with heavy dust, pollen, or pollution.

How to replace it:

Most swaps take under 15 minutes and require no tools:

Locate the filter compartment (usually behind the glove box, under the dash, or near the base of the windshield).
Pop the cover off (screwed or clipped into place).
Pull the old filter out and vacuum any loose debris from the housing.
Drop the new filter in, following the directional arrows on the frame.
Clip or screw the cover back into place.

Filters run anywhere from $15 for a basic version at an auto parts store to $50 or more for a premium OEM part from a dealership.

Commenters React

“Cabin filter, Air filter, spark plugs, coils, and get an oil change,” a top comment read.

“I change my cabin and engine filter every oil change,” a person shared.

“The cabin filter for my SUV is $9.99 on Amazon and took me 2 minutes to change it. The dealership tried to charge me $89.99,” another wrote.

What do you think?

View

Comments

“Bought a 2009 Altima off fb marketplace.. that cabin air filter looked every bit of 2009,” a commenter added.

Motor1 reached out to Jaleesa Diggs (@leesabeast.222) for comment via email and TikTok direct message. We'll be sure to update this if they respond.

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