How often are you supposed to change your air filter

Before replacing your car’s engine air filter, it’s important to understand that most vehicles have two air filters: A cabin air filter and an engine air filter (a.k.a. “vehicle air filter”). The cabin air filter ensures that passengers have clean air to breathe. This is especially important for city dwellers or anyone who lives in an area with poor air quality. The engine air filter, on the other hand, keeps the air your engine “breathes” clean and free of dirt, dust, and other particles -- all of which can affect how efficiently your car runs. A dirty air filter can result in ignition problems and lower gas mileage.

Contents

• How To Replace the Engine Air Filter In Your Car
• How Often Do I Need To Replace the Air Filter in My Car?
• How Often To Replace Cabin Air Filter in Car?

Every modern vehicle engine requires a mix of fuel and oxygen to run properly. Imagine trying to breathe through a face mask caked in dirt, dust, and other environmental contaminants. That’s what it’s like for your engine to run with a dirty engine air filter. Thankfully, changing the filter is one of the simplest and cheapest routine maintenance items to tackle. (Even easier than changing your oil!) Modern engine air filters are easy to access and typically require few or no tools to replace. Here’s the lowdown on how often to change the engine air filter and how you can even do it yourself in less than five minutes.

How To Replace the Engine Air Filter In Your Car

Step 1: Open your vehicle’s hood. To locate the engine air filter housing, look for a large, usually black, plastic box sitting atop or to the side of the engine. There should be a large hose coming out of one side.

Step 2: Note how the filter housing is secured. In most cases, two hands and some elbow grease are all that’s required to open it. Some manufacturers, however, use clamps, clips, screws, wing nuts, or a combination of these, in which case you’ll need an appropriate tool.

Step 3: Open the top of the housing. Remove and discard the old air filter. Wipe any remaining debris from inside the housing with a shop rag.

Step 4: Install the new engine air filter by placing it inside the housing with the rubber rim facing up. Ensure it’s seated properly and snugly inside the housing.

Step 5: Close the filter housing and replace any fasteners (screws, clips, etc.) removed in Step Two. Close the hood. That’s it!

How Often Do I Need To Replace the Air Filter in My Car?

Engine air filters should be replaced regularly. The short answer for when to replace yours is: It depends. Your vehicle’s year, make, and model, how you drive, and even where you drive -- if it happens to be in an area that’s hotter or more polluted than normal -- can all affect the filter-changing schedule. The easiest way to know for sure how often to change the engine air filter is to check the maintenance section of your owner’s manual or simply Google to find the manufacturer’s recommended service interval. This can vary widely from 15,000 miles in severe driving conditions to as much as 45,000 miles.

A simple visual inspection can provide a “status check.” New filters are stark white or off-white. A dirty engine air filter will usually look dirty with visible dirt, dust, or stains inside the pleats. If in doubt, any reputable mechanic in your area will be able to tell you for sure. As a rule of thumb, most average drivers should be able to go one to two years before needing a new air filter. A word of warning: Any mechanic who recommends a new engine air filter every time you bring your vehicle in for an oil change (i.e., every 3,000-5,000 miles) is a red flag.

How Often To Replace Cabin Air Filter in Car?

Like vehicle air filters, cabin air filters should also be changed regularly as part of your vehicle’s routine maintenance. Most manufacturers recommend scheduled intervals between 15,000 to as high as 45,000 miles. To simplify things, consider changing both of your car’s filters at the same time. The good news is that replacing the cabin air filter in your car is even easier and cheaper than changing the engine air filter. It’s something anyone can do in less than five minutes with few or no tools required.

Editors' Recommendations

• Buying an electric vehicle? Here’s how to install an EV charger in your home
• This family-friendly SUV is the perfect road trip car for nature lovers
• The new Polaris RZR UTVs offer a desert driving experience like no other
• This Is How Easy It Is to Wash Your Car at Home
• Follow These Car Tire Maintenance Tips for Long-Lasting Tires