Say Goodbye to Allergies with a #FresherCar filter

Do you or your kids have allergies? Does it get worse in the car? I know I had been sneezing and coughing for weeks and even mentioned to my co-workers that every time I get into my car and take the 45 minute drive to work or back home I can’t stop sneezing and I had no idea why. I couldn’t understand, my AC was circulating the air and all.

My son was also recently diagnosed with a lot of Food and Tree Allergies and his Tree allergies to oak trees and pollen was off the chart, he also sneezed every time he got into the car, to a point where we had to double his allergy medication if we had to take longer trips with him. I had no idea what was going on.

A few months ago, I also noticed a rattling noise coming from the AC vents on the right side. I kept complaining to hubby, but he would say turn up the radio, you won’t hear it. I’m not that type and hate to know there is a noise and not knowing where it comes from and why. I took the car to the shop, we only had it for about 8 month and it was brand new when I bought it. The car dealer told me that he can hear the noise, but without taking the entire dash out, which would be about 8+ hours of work and the Warranty may or may not cover it, he would also recommend I keep an eye on it and let it go for a while.

Wonderful, here I have a brand new car, by now it’s 18 month old; we all sneeze, cough and hear noises and no one knows why. Till the other day when I walked through the Walmart car care department, looking for new wiper blades and my eyes caught a shelf with filters. I thought it’s a regular air filter, you know, the ones that hubby replaces every so often. I took a closer look and saw that this is a filter for the inside of your car, somewhere in your AC unit. That was interesting to say the least. I scanned the Q code on the package to see what it was all about and if it was available for my car and quickly got some answers.

I learned that the air inside your car can be dirtier then the air outside; I to be honest had no idea at all that there is such a filter thingy inside my car. I also learned that a lot of newer cars are equipped with an inside AC cabin filter, that should be replaced at least once a year if not twice a year if you are in a high pollen area or think the filter needs to be changed. Again, I had no idea.

The phone app that loaded when I ran the Q-Code on the packaging even gave me my car model, the Filter I need and an installation video to show me how to do it. How super cool was that; I learned in 5 minutes by scanning the shelf at Walmart and a little Q-Code on a box that my car had an air filter inside the car for better air quality, what kind I need and how to replace it. I quickly grabbed a box, what would I have to lose? Better air?

The price wasn’t bad either, ranging from $18-$29 depending on your car make and model; many make and models to choose from. Once I got home from the store, I was quite excited and decided to watch the video real quick on how to install the filter and to my surprise the video was great, but said 15 minutes installation and for my make and model, a 2011 Dodge Caravan, I would also need a screwdriver to remove part of my dash. I was up for the challenge, a bit intimated, but the video showed me how; at least I thought so. Once I looked at my car, it was totally different then the video showed, but I was determined there is a way to find this filter cap and replace it.

Check out my step by step picture instructions below, in case you also have a Dodge Caravan 2011; you won’t believe how fast the new filter installation was and no tools needed!!

See, that was simple, wasn’t it? OMG, did you see ALL the dirt, pollen, leaves and other junk in that filter? No wonder we are all sneezing and coughing, all the pollen from our oak trees, which my Teen is highly allergic to is being blown into the car, over and over and over, not being filtered at all. I had no idea. I’m a bit relieved knowing that there is a way that I can change the air quality inside the car and my Teen and I don’t have to suffer anymore.

The FRAM Fresh Breeze® Cabin air filter is the only cabin air filter that uses the natural deodorizing qualities of ARM & HAMMER® baking soda. These two powerhouse brands have joined forces to help absorb odors and freshen the air.

Outside air that flows through your vehicle’s air conditioning, heating and ventilation system can expose passengers to contaminants such as road dust and pollen. FRAM Fresh Breeze® Cabin Air Filters can filter 98% of these contaminants* from the air passing through the filter to improve your driving comfort.

We have our filter installed for a little over 2 days now and noticed a drastic change in our health. We are no longer couching, scratchy throats, runny eyes and sneezing when we go on trips, we notice breathing inside the car is a lot easier, fresher and just totally NICE! Another added benefit, remember, the rattling noise that the mechanic wanted 8+ hours to take the car apart, yup… gone! It was the filter, covered in leaves that made the noise. A simple fix. I’m so glad I found these FRAM Fresh Breeze filters, with a link to their website to find out what they are all about.

I will from now on replace this filter at least once a year, probably around Easter time, so I remember it and if I feel that we are having issues, I will defiantly check the filter more often. Our old filter was in the car for 18 month and would have been in the car another 6 years or longer if I wouldn’t have found out about the filter inside the cabin. Be sure to check your car and model and see if your car is equipped with one of these filters; pull it out and check it out. I highly recommend you replace your filter if you have one and pick up one of these FRAM Fresh Breeze filters, they are very high quality, carbon filters and Arm and Hammer baking soda to help you breath better are a winner in my book. I’m one happy Mama and no more sneezing in our car, that’s for sure.

You know, now that I think about it that is probably the same reason why my dog sneezed all over the dash, every time he was in the car… MHHH…. I’m so glad that I found the issue and a simple and very affordable way to correct it and bring healthy, fresh air to my family.

For more information, be sure to visit FRAM on the web, they even have a few mail in rebates available for you, you can also be their friend on Facebook and Tweet along on Twitter. I also created a Google Plus story with more pictures about the product, my car and the trip to Walmart, you don’t want to miss this, head over and check it out.

“I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias®  and FRAM #cbias #SocialFabric” Yes, I was asked to check this product out and all opinions and pictures are 100% my own! I’m totally excited about this filter and want EVERYONE to know about it!! My honest opinion…..