The low-down on lifts

Giving fresh air higher priority

AS THE ATTENTION ON COVID SHIFTS TO PERSONAL PROTECTION AND GOOD VENTILATION IN INTERIOR SPACES, WORKSHOPS CAN ADVOCATE FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS BY IMPROVING CAR INTERIOR VENTILATION

Most vehicle owners know the importance of changing their engine’s oil filter and air filter but, until now, cabin air filters have had a lower profile — to the extent some owners don’t know their vehicles even have them.

They are also changed less often than oil filters, which are often typically on a one year or 15,000km service interval, so they can be overlooked or even ignored by customers keen to reduce a service bill. However, the current focus on the quality the air we breathe makes proactively suggesting cabin filter replacement a good opportunity for workshops to demonstrate care for their customers. This opportunity is enhanced by the potential to upgrade to the anti-microbial filters now available from NAPA Auto Parts.

0.3 of a micron

The new NAPA cabin filters are built on an activated carbon base which eliminates odours, but they also have an anti-bacterial coating which acts on viruses and bacteria as well as mould and funguses. They have a filtration effectiveness of 0.3 of a micron, which provides much more effective filtration against viruses such as Influenza A, H1N1, and H3N2 (swine flu) than the 2.5 microns protection offered by conventional cabin air filters. They also provide protection against pollen for hay fever sufferers.

Ryco MicroShield filters offer N999 medical mask protection for cabin air, the highest level of cabin air filtration available. It means cars and the workshops servicing them can play an active role in avoiding contamination by viruses. As research shows that a vehicle’s interior can contain over 10 times more pollutants than the outside air, offering a filtration upgrade is likely to be positively received by customers who are now more attuned to the importance of clean air.

Ryco N99 MicroShield is 500 times more effective at capturing particles below one micron in size than regular air filters. The N99 design uses 60 per cent more media than the previous MicroShield and the increased surface area offsets the smaller aperture filtration, resulting in a minimal effect on airflow.

N99 mask for your car

The MicroShield range gains its N99 rating (99.7% efficiency @ 0.3 microns) from an innovative threelayer system. The first layer is antiviral with natural polyphenol extracts that not only stop bacteria and viruses from entering the car, but also destroys them. The second layer is activated carbon, which is designed for odours and gas absorption. The third is medical grade polypropylene filter media. It is also electrostatically charged which helps it attract and collect more micro particles. All MicroShield Cabin Filters are 100 per cent safe and free from pollution.

It’s worth remembering that cabin filter neglect can cause poor airflow resulting in lacklustre demisting, and possibly even premature failure of the blower motor in extreme cases. Unpleasant odours will also indicate a poorly maintained air system.

Musty odours

Starting up the aircon in a car will often release musty odours that indicate the presence of mould or fungus in the heater or evaporator unit. Note that is the passenger side of the cabin air filter, so the new filter will not stop this on its own. There’s a relatively simple procedure that can help with this, using a product called Kool-it Evaporator & Heater Foam Cleaner. It consists of a foam spray can, nozzle, and a length of tube which fits onto the nozzle.

The easiest way to use this cleaner is to locate the evaporator unit drain tube under the car. Make sure the drain tube isn’t blocked, then insert the tube and spray the whole can up into the evaporator unit. The foam will expand inside the plenum and attack the mould, then it will dissolve away and dry out. Sometimes those drains are tucked higher up making access difficult. An option then is to open the evaporator unit and remove the heater to access the plenum. Other alternatives are to spray into the inlet vents or even the cabin outlet vents, as the footwell vents are nearer to the evaporator unit.

You could complete the sanitisation process by using an anti-bacterial spray for fabrics and contact surfaces such as Extol Anti Bacterial Spray.

For more information, contact a NAPA Auto Parts branch, or call 0800 800 073.

RYC2775

NEW 99 MEDIA, INCREASED FILTRATION RATINGS & FEATURES

Efficiency Rating: 99.7% efficiency at 0.3 micron Micron Rating: 0.3 micron

Product Numbering: Brand new cabin filters as well as in-range cabin filters upgraded to N99 media will be denoted with an ‘M’ suffix. Filters denoted with an ‘MS’ suffix will be superseded across to the new N99 media specification. E.G. RCA162MS superseded to RCA162M Media Colour: Yellow What is N99? There are different classifications for respiratory masks in the medical industry. The ‘N’ number means the efficiency at 0.3 micron. N99 must be at least 99% efficient. A standard medical mask is N95. One of the media layers is made of melt blown non-woven fabric, is an essential material for medical masks (the filter layer in the middle of the mask).

500x

Viral (Influenza A, H1N1/H3N2) Bacteria Mould Mites Pollen Fungus Spores Dirt 0.01 Viruses Combustion Gases Tobacco Smoke 0.1 0.3 1 2.5 10 100 Face Powder Wood Smoke Bacteria Dust Mite Feces

60%

INCREASED SEALING VIRAL AND BACTERIAL PROTECTION Dust

Odours

Exhaust Gases

Soot Smog Pet Allergens Wood Smoke

PRODUCT SNAPSHOT UPGRADE FEATURES TECHNICAL BULLETIN N99 MICROSHIELD CABIN AIRUPGRADED RYCO N99 MICROSHIELD CABIN AIR FILTER RANGE The efficiency is dependent on micron size. N99 is more efficient at catching particles under 1 micron. N99 captures more than 500% more particles under 1 micron for example than regular cabin air filters. 60% more media than our previous MicroShield Cabin Air Filter. Increase in media surface offsets restriction from high efficiency media and allowing HVAC systems to function normally. Achieves 0.3 micron with minimal affect on flow & dust holding. 3D scanning utilised to map OE housings to design and construct filters with greater filter sealing. Top 10 new part numbers designed to exceed OE in fit and sealing include: RCA164M, RCA224M, RCA182M, RCA227M, RCA162M, RCA100M, RCA185M, RCA104M, RCA140M, RCA108M Anti-viral and anti bacterial layers with natural poly-phenol extracts eliminate virus*, bacteria and allergens from the air flow. The bio-compatible yellow coating is non toxic. *H1N1/H3N2 CONTAMINANT TYPES              PARTICLE SIZE  SOURCE: Bliss, S (2005). Best Practice Guide to Residential Construction

Cooking Particles

Sneeze Droplets

0.3 Micron Lint Spores/Mould

Pollen Human Hair Spray Paint

2.5 Micron

RYCOFILTERS.COM.AU

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