How Often Should You Change Your Engine Air Filter?

As an expert in automotive maintenance and repair I recommend that drivers check their engine air filters once a year and replace them if they are dirty or clogged.

How Often Should You Change Your Engine Air Filter?

As a general rule, most average drivers should be able to go a year or two before needing a new air filter. Jiffy Lube has the vehicle maintenance tips you need to keep you on the road. Everyone has questions when it comes to preventive maintenance. Access all the information you need about your vehicle, all on your mobile device.

Get service quotes quickly, find service recommendations, and access current and past services for your vehicle. Let your local Jiffy Lube team provide routine preventive maintenance to help keep your car, SUV, minivan or truck running as designed. This way, a small problem can be corrected before it becomes a costly repair. Now you know how often to change the car's air filter, but what about the cabin filter? Here's an article that tells you what you do and how to maintain it.

In addition to the blog posts, Tips in a Jiffy has videos with car care tips. 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. Replacing your engine air filter is an often overlooked maintenance item, but a dirty air filter can have a negative effect on your car's performance. The distance traveled, the specifications of your vehicle and the environmental conditions in which you are driving influence the durability of your filters. A dirty filter lets polluting and allergenic particles, dust, sand and other debris enter the engine and car.

On most Chevrolet engines, for example, the recommended change interval is every 45,000 miles, but Ford says it should be done every 30,000 miles on many of its engines. Maintenance schedules for different vehicle brands differ in how often the air filter needs to be changed. The purpose of the engine air filter is to prevent dust, dirt and other environmental contaminants from entering the engine. However, you should be careful if every time you change the oil, the repair shop says you also need a new air filter. If you find black areas in the section where outside air enters, it may be time to change it.

In most cars, the cabin air filter is usually placed behind the glove compartment or under the dashboard. The good news is that the air filters on most engines are easy to access, and you can check the location in your owner's manual if you need help. 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. The cabin air filter should also be changed periodically but at a different time than the engine air cleaner. The filter helps keep the air free of dirt, bugs and debris that can reach your car's intake system. As an expert in automotive maintenance and repair I recommend that drivers check their engine air filters once a year and replace them if they are dirty or clogged.

Depending on how much they drive and their vehicle specifications they may need to replace their filters more frequently than once a year - every 15-30 thousand miles - but this is something that can be determined by consulting with their mechanic or checking their owner's manual. Replacing an engine air filter is an important part of preventive maintenance that helps keep vehicles running smoothly and efficiently while also preventing costly repairs down the line. It is also important for drivers to remember that they should also replace their cabin air filters periodically as well.