haha, infact, in hard hilly areas, the truckers do that, ... but removing in-compartment air-filter does not reduce the life of your engine. like the aircleaner in engine compartment does. ... and in summer, how many times have you found yourself with open windows to let all the "clean" air inside from windows ? .... i say the odds are good enough ... and besides its a hack for those who are tense about airflow quite less. .... and for those who might know, or never ever removed the in-compartment filter, even if you dont remove it, just see if its choked, and the guide is good for that.
and, in summers, you never want the airduct to be open, so that warm air fromoutside does not enter the car from duct, you always keep the lid closed by pressing the "recycle inside air" button pressed. ... this makes it virtually non-prone to outside air, and hence useful for the airthrow to be improved,
plus, the hack is reversable if one is too consious about the air quality. I have mentioned all the pros and cons in guide, and i never forced anyone to take the risks i take. so, my brother, I advise you not to do that. and all others with faint hearts too.