Between the commons and the A23: cabin air in Streatham
On one side of Streatham is Tooting Bec Common; on the other, Streatham Common, with The Rookery at the top and Norwood Grove beyond. Kite Day on Streatham Common each spring is a reminder that pollen season is starting. Tree pollen comes first, followed by grass pollen into early summer, and cars parked along the edges of the commons are right in the thick of it. Hay fever sufferers often notice it most on the drive home.
Then there's the A23. From Streatham Hill station down to Streatham Common, the high road is a slow, bus-heavy red route with frequent crossings and a 20mph limit. When the Streatham Wells low traffic trial was running, the queues got longer still. Sitting in that traffic with the fan on fresh air, the car pulls in exhaust from the bus or van in front. An activated carbon filter absorbs some of those smells and gases where a basic filter can't.
So for most Streatham drivers, the sensible choice is a carbon filter, changed at least once a year and ideally before spring. When we fit it, we check whether the car takes one filter or two, clear leaves from the housing, look for damp that points to blocked drains and make sure the new filter seals so air can't sneak around it. If the air conditioning smells musty even with a new filter, we can quote for an antibacterial treatment.
The drive is about 20 minutes via Mitcham Lane, Figges Marsh and Mitcham, then Carshalton Road south into Hackbridge. For a job that normally takes 15 to 30 minutes, many Streatham drivers combine it with a service, or have us collect the car. Lambeth's controlled parking zones can make collection timing matter, so tell us your street when you book. There's a written quote before any work and a 3-month workmanship warranty.