Internal combustion engines have been with us over a century and are still the most common propulsion for cars. What most people don’t know is that engines are very precise instruments. For an engine to work correctly, a lot of parts must be maintained regularly. One of those parts is the car air filter, which is often overlooked by owners. That’s a shame, because high-quality air filters are inexpensive today, yet very important for proper engine functioning.
But what makes the engine filter so important? Well, it cleanses the air that enters the combustion chamber in the engine. Remember – the internals of the engine work with stringent and precise parameters. Any debris that enters the chamber can upset that equilibrium. The engine won’t just work improperly, but it can be damaged in the long run. And the blow might be costly to fix.
Changing the air filter on your car regularly is crucial to durability, but there are other reasons. Your engine will also run better with a new air filter. An old air filter won’t let air flow as freely, thus limiting the power and increased fuel consumption. Yes, engines also need a lot of air to reach optimal performance. A clogged air filter can also let more debris into the combustion chamber due to vacuum creating in the air passages, which we already know is something you wouldn’t want to happen.
How often should you change it?
Surely by now, you are convinced that changing the air filter regularly is crucial for your car. And you’ve undoubtedly already asked how often you should change the air filter? Well, there is no clear answer to that. Generally, it is accepted that air filters are changed once every 15,000-30,000 miles, but it depends on several factors. In our experience, 30,000-miles should be the upper limit, no question about it.
As for the lowest limit, it depends on where you drive your car. If you mostly drive on paved roads, such as the highway, the air filter might be useful for 15,000-miles. If you drive on gravel roads, though, you might need to change the filter more regularly. The dust created from gravel roads, or other off-road surfaces, will get the filter clogged very quickly.
On top of that, the mileage of the filter also depends on the area you live in. For example, owners that live in Texas should change the filter more regularly than those who live in snowy regions, like Alaska. The more dust and contaminants there are in the air, the shorter the interval is.
Can I change my car air filter myself?
Of course, it’s one of the easiest things to do in a car. However, air filter design differs from manufacturer to manufacturer, and from one engine to another. This means that the steps might be different. That’s why we recommend checking the owner’s manual of your vehicle for the step by step guide.
Nevertheless, we prepared a guide for the most common “rectangle” and "cylindrical" filter types. You can use some of the steps below for other filter types as most of them are similar.
- Choose an air filter that fits your vehicle – suffice to say, the air filter must be the same size as the original one. Otherwise, it might not fit, or it might not provide optimal performance.
- Park your vehicle on level ground. Put the transmission into Park, or into first gear in manual cars.
- Open the hood and locate the airbox. The car air filter sits in a black housing. The housing is connected to the engine on one side and has a tube that sits near the front grille.
- Remove the cover of the airbox. Quick release clamps usually tighten it, but some manufacturers use screws or wingnuts in carburetor motors.
- Take the filter out of the airbox and replace it with the new one. If you intend on washing the filter instead of replacing it, close the housing, so no debris enters inside.
- Put the airbox cover back and tighten it with the quick release clamps, screws or wing nuts.
How much does it cost to change the air filter?
Air filters are usually inexpensive and cost from $20 to $50 depending on the car model, and the filter brand. Typically, OEM air filters cost more than aftermarket filters, but that’s not always the case. Some aftermarket filter that promises better airflow can be even more expensive, especially those intended for tuner vehicles.
How to know if the filter is clogged?
When the air filter becomes clogged with debris, the engine loses power and consumes more fuel. However, this is not a night and day difference. You may see 1-2 mpg worse fuel consumption and less power at higher engine rpm’s. And the worst thing is that it happens gradually and the driver usually gets accustomed to it.
The best way to see if the air filter is clogged is a visual inspection. If the filter looks dirty and has a lot of debris on it, it is usually best to replace it with a new one. The filter on the picture above is an excellent example of a clogged air filter. Check your air filter every 3,000-4,000 miles to be sure that it’s always in great shape.
FAQ
Can you wash a car air filter?
Since you’re already checking on the state of your filter regularly, it’s only natural to ask if you can wash it. Luckily, the question is yes! There are several different ways you can clean a clogged air filter, with the most obvious one being a vacuum cleaner. Use the hose attachment for maximum suction power, and you should be able to remove the larger particles.
You can also wash the filter in a bucket of soap and water solution. Just put the filter inside and give it a stir. Then, drain and dry the air filter entirely before putting it back in the car.
That said, washing will only lengthen the life of the filter. Some of the contaminants will be so ingrained at some time that even washing in water and soap solution won’t help. Over time, you will still need to replace it with a new air filter.
K&N air filter worth it?
Car owners that that want to improve the performance of their vehicles ask this question often. The answer isn’t as straightforward, though. First of all, these filters aren’t for everybody. If you use your vehicle only as a means of transportation, there is no reason to buy an expensive K&N filter. That said, if you want to tune your car (e.g., you install a turbocharger), a K&N filter might help it breath better.
Will AutoZone change my filter?
In our experience, AutoZone doesn’t replace air filters. That said, they have a large variety of filters for most vehicle models and might be a perfect place to purchase one.