Naturally, air filters need to be replaced in the event of damage. However, to maintain the maximum possible performance of your car, it is recommended that you replace your air filters at least every 12,000 to 15,000 miles (19,000 to 24,000 km). This interval should be reduced if you often drive in dusty conditions. It is best to review the maintenance schedule provided by your car manufacturer to get the proper replacement program. A general rule of thumb is to keep track of how long the air filter has been in place.
The recommended average length of service is approximately 10,000 to 15,000 miles, which for most people is approximately every year. But keep in mind that, as with most things related to your car, this is just a recommendation and doesn't take into account your individual driving situation. You should check your car's air filter once a year. Many people choose to change the filter right away, but some mechanics say an air filter can last 15,000 to 30,000 miles. Depending on how much you travel and drive, you may not reach those numbers in a year.
Still, you'll want to take the time to check your air filter once a year. If the filter looks dirty, it's time to change it. Do not attempt to clean the filter and use it again. A new air filter is the optimal choice to ensure that your vehicle performs at its best and stays in top shape. You must change the engine air filter once a year or every 12,000 miles.
If you live in a dusty area, you should change the engine air filter more often. Keeping the air filter clean keeps the engine free of dirt. In short: A clean air filter is your engine's first line of defense to staying dirt-free and working properly. If you drive with a lot of traffic on a regular basis, the air filter won't last as long. You can visually check the engine air filter to see if it looks dirty or if it is full of debris. To locate the engine air cleaner housing, look for a large plastic housing, usually black, that sits above or to one side of the engine.
If you are a man who has never performed any maintenance on your car and would like to start, but you are not ready to change the oil, start by changing your own air filter. The mechanic takes you to the car to show you how dirty your air filter is and tells you it's time to change it. One would think that with what they load, replacing an air filter is a complicated task that requires special tools that are only available to licensed mechanics. A clean air filter is designed to capture dirt and debris from the outside air, preventing them from reaching the combustion chamber and reducing the likelihood that you will receive a large repair bill. An air filter may not seem like an important component to regularly check and change, but it is essential to maintaining the performance of your car.
A clean air filter will help your engine perform better; on newer cars, it can increase acceleration by up to 11%, and on older cars it can improve mileage by up to 14%. Over time, as dust and dirt build up, the air filter will darken and dirt will be noticeable. As a general rule, most average drivers should be able to go a year or two before needing a new air filter. The reality is that changing your car's air filter is possibly the simplest maintenance job you can perform. We expect drivers in most cases to spend more than a year, at least, and probably more than two years between air filter changes, depending on conditions and mileage.
When you experience any of these symptoms, the top of your troubleshooting list should be to check your engine's air filter. One of the most common problems you'll encounter when you need to change your engine's air filter is decreased fuel consumption. However, you should be careful if every time you change the oil, the repair shop says you also need a new air filter.
