How long do engine air filters last

It’s a classic story of getting duped at the auto repair shop … the salesperson comes up to you, gets down on one knee, and presents a filthy-looking air filter for you to inspect: “It looks like you need to replace your engine air filter, ma’am.” But how do you know if you need a new engine air filter or if you’re just being tricked?

Why should I replace my engine air filter?

Replacing the air filter isn’t a service auto repair shops invented to get a few extra bucks during your visit. It’s actually a vital part of engine performance and maintenance.

Engines need a lot of clean air to operate. The engine air filter prevents debris, dirt, bugs and other contaminants from entering the engine and causing damage. When the filter is dirty and/or clogged, it results in decreased gas mileage, slow acceleration, decreased engine life, higher emissions and poor engine performance.

How often should you change the engine air filter?

Virginia Tire & Auto recommends replacing the engine air filter in your car every 15,000–30,000 miles or at the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended mileage. Check your owner’s manual to find out the recommended mileage interval for your vehicle.

If your commute consists of frequent stops and construction areas or you regularly travel on dirt/gravel roads, consider replacing your engine air filter more frequently.

Here are some signs that it’s time to replace your vehicle’s air filter:

1. Jerky or Slower Than Usual Acceleration: If you notice that your vehicle doesn’t speed up as well as it used to, there’s a good chance that the air filter is not allowing enough air into your car’s engine. You also may notice jerky acceleration when you press the gas pedal.
2. Decreased Fuel Economy: When the filter is clogged, the engine has to work harder to get the same amount of power, resulting in poor gas mileage.
3. Unusual Sounds: A dirty or clogged air filter often leads to many strange noises when the car is idling. Unusual sounds could be a sign that your car’s engine is not receiving enough airflow.
4. Dirty Air Filter: You can also visually inspect your engine’s air filter. It is usually easy to access, and you can refer to your owner’s manual if you have trouble finding it. If the air filter contains a lot of dirt, debris or grease, then it’s time to change your air filter.
   Not sure if it’s too dirty? Hold the filter up to the light. If you can’t see any light through the filter, it’s definitely time to get your air filter replaced.

How long does it take to replace my vehicle’s air filter?

Installing a filter is typically a quick 5- to 10-minute service, but it can depend on your vehicle model. The air filter is more difficult to access in some models, so, if that’s the case, it will take our technicians a little bit longer to replace.

Air Filter Replacement at Virginia Tire & Auto

At Virginia Tire & Auto, we’ll never recommend parts or service your car doesn’t need—including air filters. Our technicians inspect your engine air filter as part of our 25-point courtesy inspection, and we’ll let you know if we think it needs to be replaced. And we’ll always recommend following your vehicle manufacturer’s maintenance schedule for air filter replacement and other services.

Drop by any of our 17 locations or schedule an appointment online to get your engine air filter switched out. We’ll have you back on the road in no time!

A dirty filter lets polluting and allergen particles, dust, sand, and other debris, into the motor and car. Over time, they can result in motor damage and health complications. That’s why you need to change air filters when necessary.

How often to change (or wash) your air filters in your car depends on multiple factors.

The distance traveled, your vehicle’s specifications, and the environmental conditions in which you drive all play a role in your filters’ durability. Besides mileage, we’ll share several tips indicating when it’s time to replace the filter.

Table of Contents

• What Are Car Air Filters For?
• How Often to Change Engine Air Filter
• How Often to Change Cabin Air Filter
• How to Change an Air Filter
• FAQs
• Filtering Down

What Are Car Air Filters For?

A car typically comes with two air filters — one for the engine and one for the cabin.

The screens are made of breathable material, such as paper, cotton, or foam. Their primary role is to trap sand, pollution, dust, pollen, and even mold before they reach you or the engine.

Engine Filters

The air quality entering the motor plays a crucial role in your engine’s performance. Without screens, these particles would find their way in, damaging the engine’s cylinder walls and pistons (1).

Cabin Filters

Whether inside your home or driving your car, air pollution can lead to cardiovascular and respiratory disease (2). To put it bluntly, it kills millions of people yearly.

High-efficiency cabin air filters — such as HEPA filters — are useful in this area. They can capture 99.97 percent or more of all particles 0.3-microns or larger, significantly protecting drivers’ health (3).

How Often to Change Engine Air Filter

Although there is no set and universal schedule, here are some useful guidelines.

Driving Frequency

How often you change your car’s air filter depends on how frequently you drive. Generally speaking, you should replace it every 30,000 miles.

The brittle material can tear over time and let debris in. Regardless of miles, however, you should change the screen every three years.

Your Vehicle’s Model

Every manufacturer may have a different recommendation when it comes to filter maintenance. Check your vehicle’s manual.

For instance, Chevrolet recommends filter maintenance every 45,000 miles. On the other hand, Ford advises changing one every 30,000 miles (4).

Driving Conditions

Certain factors will increase the frequency of filter changes. Hyundai suggests changing it every 15,000 miles when driving on unpaved roads, in hot weather, or in high traffic conditions. Driving in a highly polluted environment also falls into this category.

Clues to Look Out For

If you haven’t kept track of your driving distance, here are some other helpful tips.

1. Lack of Power

A clogged filter can cause ignition issues, and your vehicle may take some time to start.

You won’t burn more gas, but a dirty filter can affect acceleration power. A clean filter can improve acceleration time by six to 11 percent (5). So if you feel that your car is slow to gain momentum, this could be a sign your screen needs changing.

Remember that decreased power happens gradually; you may not notice it immediately.

2. Visual Inspection

If you notice any other color but white or grey on the screen, it’s a clear sign it needs to be replaced.

Most car owners change the engine oil every 3,000 to 15,000 miles, depending on the vehicle’s make. Whether done professionally or on your own, it’s usually a good idea to check all filters simultaneously.

3. Black Smoke

To work smoothly, a motor needs about 14.7 pounds of air to fuel one pound of gas (6). If the vehicle doesn’t have enough air, the fuel will create a dark residue, leading your exhaust to deliver a thick black smoke (7).

This is a sign that your engine is receiving an improper amount of air and oxygen, and you should check the air filter.

How Often to Change Cabin Air Filter

You should replace cabin air filters yearly or every 12,000 to 30,000 miles. This also depends on the uses and conditions we’ve previously described. Here are some indications you might need to change your cabin filter:

• Bad smells in the cabin.
• Reduced airflow through the cooling or ventilation system.
• Noisy air circulation.
• Suffering from allergies or other respiratory conditions while driving.

How to Change an Air Filter

A car dealership can replace the filters for you. However, the engine and cabin filters are easy to check and replace when needed.

Engine Air Filter

This filter is generally found under the hood, inside a filter box. While you can access some by simply unlocking the box, other models will require a screwdriver. When purchasing a new screen, ensure it fits the box’s measurements.

Cabin Air Filter

In most cars, the cabin air filter is often placed either behind the glove box or under the dashboard. It may take a bit longer to change the first time, but overall, it is an easy process.

FAQs

Why Does My Car Air Filter Get Dirty So Fast?

There are several reasons why your air filters get dirty fast. You might be buying cheap air filters that are lower quality, you may have the A/C set to “On” permanently, or it may be the driving conditions.

What Happens If You Don’t Change an Air Filter In a Car?

If you don’t change an air filter in a car, it restricts airflow and reduces performance. It also leaves you at risk of higher contaminants entering the cabin because there’s only so much dirt a filter can hold.

Is It Safe to Run Your AC Without a Filter?

It is not safe to run your A/C without a filter because you will fill the car cabin with contaminants. It also clogs your A/C system, causing it to fail.

Does the Air Filter Get Changed With an Oil Change?

The air filter does get changed with an oil change because it maintains the smooth running of the engine and keeps it at peak performance.

Does the Brand of Car Air Filter Matter?

The brand of air filter only matters if it is compatible with your vehicle and the extra expense translates into improved performance. You may notice better fuel efficiency and performance, but it will only be marginal.

Filtering Down

Both the engine and cabin air filters are essential to keep your vehicle and lungs performing well. How often to change your car’s air filter depends on the distance driven. Some visual indicators can, however, give you hints on whether the screen needs to be changed.

Note that not all filters must be replaced; some models can be washable and, therefore, more eco-friendly. If you’re going for a one-time-use filter, don’t throw it away — many dealers can recycle them. Whichever screen you select, make sure it’ll fit its dedicated emplacement.

If you don’t feel comfortable changing filters, or lack time, bring your car to your mechanic. They will be able to change them for you.

How often should you change air filter in engine?

How do I know if I need to change engine air filter?

What happens if you dont change engine air filter?