Your car’s air filter is a significant and integral part of the engine. The air filter traps dirt, dust and other materials from falling into the engine and reducing its working efficiency. After constant use, it is prone to get clogged. Neglect can lead to a plethora of troubles with your car. This is why it is important that you keep a check on it. The maintenance of the air filter in car engine is very simple and just needs five steps. Read on to know how you can change your car’s air filter.

Changing your car’s air filter is not very hard. All you have to do is follow these steps and you’re all good to go. Here’s how to replace air filter in car in five short and easy steps:

First, you will need to track and locate where the air filter in your car is. Generally, it’s a black coloured plastic box that might be located at the side or the top. However, if you’re not sure where the air filter in car engine might be, then you can refer to the owner’s manual. This is because its location can be different in different cars. Older car models have a round or oval-shaped filter and newer versions have a rectangular or box-shaped car engine filtersometimes with an engine cover.

The car air filter might have a cover that helps secure it in its place. You will need to unscrew the nuts or flip open the spring clips first. Once you do so, you can take the cover off and remove your filter out. Ensure that you remove the filter carefully as it might have some wiring or any other part attached. Clean out the area of the car air filter from any dirt that might have accumulated there.

Also Read: Car Maintenance: Basic Tips & Tricks

You will have to check the condition of the filter and look for any cracks, tears and any other sorts of damage. Since it is usually made of paper, cotton or gauze material, it’s prone to getting dirty and possibly damaged. So, you’ll have to inspect it thoroughly to see whether it just needs some cleaning or needs to be replaced with a new filter.

If after inspection, you think the filter is good enough and does not need to be replaced, then you’ll just need to clean it. To clean your filter, you will need a vacuum cleaner. A small car vacuum cleaner with pressurized air will be effective in cleaning out dirt and dust. You can also tap the filter lightly to let all of the dirt fall off. Ensure it’s thoroughly cleaned before you secure it back in its place.

Also Read: Guide to Engine Maintenance

If your air filter is too dirty and not in the state of being cleaned, then it's past its prime. You will need to swap it out with a new one in this situation. Look for the best engine air filters you can find and ensure that it is similar to your old one. Fit it correctly in its housing, place the lid on top of it and secure it with screws or spring clips. You should try to change your filter at least once a year or after a year and a half depending on the condition of the air filter in car engine might be.

Summing up, the air filter might be a small part of your car’s engine but is extremely crucial. Its maintenance is not very hard and does not even need a lot of time and effort. If you’re looking for a pre owned luxury car, ABE is the best place where you can find a wide range of luxury car collections.

FAQs

How long your car air filter lasts depends on the vehicle and what conditions you drive under. In most cases, an air filter lasts for a year or two at the most after which it needs to be changed. However, if you drive in dusty conditions, or there’s a lot of dirt and pollution then it might not last as long as it would in non-dusty conditions.

The general rule of thumb is that an air filter should be replaced anywhere between a year to a year and a half or two years. This again depends on the vehicle as well. Try to check the filter once a year. If you travel a lot by car then it might last even less.

If you don’t change the air filter, it can result in poor performance. This is because your car’s engine will end up using more gas than air due to the filter being clogged with dirt and dust.

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