HI All - I just posted this on the Superb 1 Forum and repeat it here as it may be of interest to all models.

Pollen and engine breathing filters (not sure about exhaust particulate filters) work on an adsorption process (not absortion). They do not work like a sieve where every hole is smaller than the smallest particle. Adsorption works by catching most of the particles as they try to weave their way through the labyrinth of fibres. The first particle may be caught in the last fibre so it is difficult to make a judgement by how dirty the used filter appears. The finer particles tend to have a better run through the fibres before they get adsorbed whereas the larger particles tend to crash into the fibres at an earlier stage because they are less agile. Even a Hepa filter only catches typically 99.997% of particles, the rest get through - even on day one.

Secondly 2010 was an exceptionally bad year for airborn contamination due to Icelandic volcanic activity. This level of contamination may not have been forseen by Skoda designers (and also the airline/aircraft industry!). Until last Autumn my caravan was parked outdoors in Wales. When I went to it in Spring 2010 it was filthy and the farmer said that this was due to the dry Spring and the dust from the farm tracks. I hoped that the first heavy shower would wash it off but eventually I had to go on top with a bucket and mop and the muck took some shifting. The residue left in the bucket was clearly grey, gritty pumice. Like many of us I wondered what all the fuss was about last year especially as my holiday to the Canaries was delayed by 5 days. Now I know different!

Personally I would put complete faith in the designer's choice of filter. When contamination is exceptional I would increase the frequency of air filter changes. Best Regards, Carloski

Wow

That was a English degree written exam paper lol