How to keep your car’s cabin fresh and clean during Delhi's smog season: Easy tips

As Delhi braces itself for the arrival of winter, the hazardous smog season has already set in, pushing the AQI to alarming levels, close to 400 in some areas, as reported earlier today. With the air outside being hazardous, those who rely on driving to get around Delhi/NCR will want to ensure that the air quality inside their cars is as clean as possible. Here are some ways to keep your car's cabin fresh and maintain clean air.

Start by paying attention to your car’s cabin air filter. This filter does a lot of heavy lifting, catching dust, pollen, and other airborne particles before they enter your vehicle. If you’re noticing a reduced air flow, it’s likely time for a replacement. For best results, change it every 15,000 km. If you want to stretch it out a bit longer, try cleaning it.

Next, consider giving your car’s air conditioning system a little care as well. Regular cleaning ensures that air flows through the car as it should, making every drive more comfortable and cabin air fresh. Beside that, intake vents that bring outside air into your car also deserve a wipe-down every so often. Dust often accumulates on these vents, which can compromise the quality of air that circulates inside, making your car feel stuffy or unclean. Simply wiping them down can make a difference.


An in-car air purifier is also a good investment, especially if you’re spending a lot of time on Delhi’s roads. These compact devices remove allergens, pollutants, and odours, leaving the air fresher and healthier. And while the purifier takes care of smaller particles, regular vacuuming can help with larger debris, allergens, and keeping your car’s floors and seats cleaner.

When you’re stuck in traffic, which is inevitable in Delhi, switch your car’s air system to recirculate, close the windows, and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. This limits the entry of harmful pollutants into your cabin, giving you some relief from the thickening haze outside.

Finally, check that your car’s weather-stripping along doors and windows is intact. Proper sealing prevents external pollutants from sneaking in and keeps the air inside fresh.