Haze season in Malaysia: when to check your car's cabin filter

What happened in October

Haze covered much of Peninsular Malaysia in the first half of October 2026:

• 6 October: by 6pm, 30 areas had an unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API). Batu Pahat was the highest at 196. The Klang Valley also went above 150, with Putrajaya at 166, Cheras at 163 and Petaling Jaya at 157 (The Star).
• 8 October: at 7pm, 36 areas were still in the unhealthy band, Segamat at 190 and Seremban at 189. No station in the country reported “good” air (The Star).
• 13 October: 20 locations were still unhealthy, 8 of them in Johor. Cloud seeding was carried out over Johor Bahru. MetMalaysia expected the haze in Johor to last a few more days and the winds to turn northeast within one to two weeks (Bernama).

The haze may come back. MetMalaysia has warned that El Niño could keep the weather drier than usual until about March 2027, which raises the risk of forest and peat fires (The Vibes, citing MetMalaysia).

For reference, the Department of Environment counts an API of 101–200 as unhealthy, 201–300 as very unhealthy and above 300 as hazardous.

What the cabin filter does

The cabin filter, also called the aircond filter, sits in the air path of the air-conditioning, usually behind the glovebox. Every bit of air the fan blows into the cabin passes through it first. Its job is to catch dust, pollen and fine particles before they reach you.

In haze, that filter works harder than usual. It loads up with fine dust faster, and a filter that is already clogged lets less air through, so the fan has to work harder and the vents feel weak.

The DuraFit cabin filter pack lists three things: Blocks PM2.5 Dust, Strong Airflow and Anti-Mould & Moisture Resistance.

How to use the aircond in haze

1. Windows up, recirculation on. On recirculation the aircond re-filters the air already inside the car, instead of pulling in outside air with every breath of the fan.
2. Let in fresh air now and then on long drives. If the windows fog up or the cabin feels stuffy, switch to fresh air for a few minutes, then back.
3. Keep the doors shut while you wait. Parked with the engine running? Open doors and windows bring in unfiltered air.

A cabin filter is not a medical device. If anyone in your family has a medical condition, follow the Health Ministry’s advice on time outdoors and masks.

When to check or replace the filter

Follow the interval in your car’s service book. After a haze spell, it is worth a look sooner. Replace the filter if:

• it looks grey or black across the pleats, or you can see leaves and debris in it;
• the aircond smells musty or sour when you switch it on;
• airflow from the vents is weaker than it used to be at the same fan speed.

One more reason not to wait: the haze season runs into the rainy season. A filter full of dust that then gets damp is where musty smells come from.

Finding the right filter

Cabin filters are made for specific cars. Look up yours in the DuraFit catalogue, or see all DuraFit cabin filters. The current DuraFit cabin filter, SAQM04CF05448, is listed for the Proton Saga (BLM, MC2), Iriz and Persona. Car not listed? Send the make, model and year to the ServAuto BD team on WhatsApp.

Frequently asked questions