Your car could be making you sick and may prolong your winter flu infection.

The main source of the problem is an old or clogged cabin filter in the air conditioning unit.

These cabin filters are designed to stop dust, pollen and other pollutants, from entering and circulating within the interior of the vehicle, but, in the moist environment of the evaporator unit, nasty bugs like mould, mildew and fungi will grow on a contaminated filter.

With the heater on in winter, as warm air passes over the evaporator, it picks up these microbes and their waste and blows them into the passenger compartment through the vents. HEAT AND BUGS ARE A BAD MIX!

These microbes are a potential source of various ailments that can affect passengers, and it’s the prolonged exposure to these microbes that earned the name SICK CAR SYNDROME.

People, especially those with young children, are becoming increasingly affected by these environmental health issues.

Some of the reactions can include sneezing, coughing, eye irritations and drowsiness.

There may be a noticeable odour when the heater is turned on.

At Abbotts Auto Care, we care about the health of you and your family.

We check the condition of your cabin filter as part of our extensive safety check with every service and replace the filter if necessary.

Book a service now and you can be assured of healthy family motoring this winter.