Mechanic says 'hidden button' in car can save drivers £100 but they're unaware

A hidden button in cars can save drivers, road users and motorists in Birmingham and beyond £100. In a new video, mechanic Scotty Kilmer -who regularly goes viral on YouTube - shared a hidden button in the glovebox to access a vital part.

He explained: "Today I'm going to tell you about the hidden air filter fitted in your car that nobody knows about. It's called the cabin air filter. You squeeze the glove box and it comes out. If you look inside there’s a cover that snaps off and out comes the cabin air filter. This filters the air that goes into your air conditioning and heating system."

He advised: "Clean it out once in a while by whacking it on concrete until all the crumbs come out of it. If it's real dirt you can go and replace it. My advice is buy it online cheaper because the auto parts store charges too much. And if you're really sensitive to smells like my wife, you can buy a black carbon-activated one like this that works better."

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The cost of replacing a car's cabin filter, also known as a pollen filter, can range from £40 to £100. The cost of the cabin filter itself can range from £8 to £65, depending on the vehicle, manufacturer, and product specifications.

You can usually replace a car's pollen filter during a regular service, which most car manufacturers recommend at least once a year or after a certain number of miles.Most manufacturers recommend changing the filter every 1-2 years, or every 12-20k miles.

However, if you drive in a city or town, the filter may need replacing sooner. While you can drive safely with a broken or faulty pollen filter, the air quality in your car will decline over time. You may notice that the cabin is stuffy, especially during spring and summer when pollen counts are higher.