爱神传媒

How to Replace Car Air Filters

October 11, 2024

Your engine needs clean air to work properly, and that鈥檚 where the engine air filter comes in. Over time, your car鈥檚 filter gets clogged with dust, dirt, and debris, which can choke off airflow and make your engine work harder than it needs to. 

As you can guess, this isn鈥檛 sustainable long-term, and swapping out the old filter for a fresh one helps restore power, improves fuel economy, and keeps your engine running strong. 

The good news? Changing your car鈥檚 filter is one of the easiest DIY tasks you can knock out in just a few minutes! In this article, we鈥檒l cover everything from how to tell if your car’s air filter needs replacing to the handful of simple steps it takes to replace it.

How to Tell If a Car Air Filter Needs Replacing

Besides going by the recommended mileage, how do you tell if a car filter needs replacing? There鈥檚 no need to wait until your car gives up鈥攖here are a couple of things you can look out for:

• Sluggish acceleration: A dirty filter can restrict airflow, cutting into your engine鈥檚 power. Your fuel mileage will also go down due to the lack of air.聽
• Visual check: Hold the filter up to a light source鈥攊f you can鈥檛 see much light passing through, it鈥檚 time for a change.

Do鈥檚 & Don’ts When Changing a Car鈥檚 Air Filter

Like most projects, guidelines help ensure that everything goes according to plan (or as close to it as possible!). The process of changing the filter is pretty straightforward, but before you get started, keep these pointers in mind:

顿辞鈥檚:

• Do check your manual for the correct filter size and type for your vehicle. You can鈥檛 do much with the wrong-sized filter.
• Do clean out the filter housing before putting in the new one鈥攌eep things tidy.
• Do replace the breather filter (if your car has one) while you鈥檙e at it.

顿辞苍鈥檛蝉:

• Don鈥檛 ignore regular checks鈥�make sure to inspect your air filter often, especially if you鈥檙e driving more frequently or live in areas with higher levels of air pollution.
• Don鈥檛 let dirt fall into the engine while swapping out the filter. Always keep your workspace clean.
• Don鈥檛 use a filter that doesn鈥檛 fit properly鈥�no one likes having to return things, but if you try to cram the wrong filter in place, you鈥檒l end up with unfiltered air in your engine.

Step-by-Step Process to Changing an Air Filter in a Car

Now that we鈥檝e touched on the prerequisites of changing your car鈥檚 air filter, you can get started. But first, make sure you have everything you need!

Step 1: Gather Your Tools

You鈥檒l need some essential tools to get started:

• Flathead, Phillips, Socket(s) or Torx screwdriver
• Adjustable wrench (for older cars)
• Needle-nose pliers
• New air filter (make sure it鈥檚 the right one for your car)

Step 2: Find the Air Filter Housing

Pop the hood and locate the air filter housing. If you鈥檝e never swapped out a filter, you might be asking, 鈥淲here is the air filter in a car?鈥� It鈥檚 typically near the top of the engine or connected to the intake hose. 

On older, carbureted engines, it鈥檚 in a big round metal housing. For newer cars, it鈥檚 in a rectangular box attached to the air intake.

Step 3: Remove the Old Filter

Open the housing by removing screws or clips. Pull out the old air filter. Be careful not to drop dirt into the intake鈥攗se a clean rag to wipe out the inside of the housing if needed.

Step 4: Inspect and Clean the Housing

Check the air filter housing for dirt or debris. Clean it out with a rag to ensure no dirt ends up in your engine. If your car has a breather filter, this is also a good time to check and replace it.

Step 5: Install the New Filter

Drop the new filter into place, making sure it鈥檚 seated properly. If you鈥檙e replacing the breather filter, don鈥檛 forget to take care of that as well.

6. Close the Air Filter Box

Once the new filter is in, put the housing cover back on and tighten the screws or clips. Double-check to make sure everything is secure and that there are no loose parts.

That鈥檚 it. This is probably the easiest thing you鈥檒l ever have to do to a vehicle, only second to topping off your wiper fluid.

FAQs About Car Filter Replacement 

How often should I change the air filter on my car?

Unlike changing your car鈥檚 oil, most air filters only need to be replaced every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, or about once a year. But if you drive in dusty conditions, you might need to do it sooner.

Are air filters hard to replace?

Nope! Replacing the air filter is one of the easiest things you can do. All it takes is a few basic tools, a new filter, and some time out of your day.

How long does it take to replace the air filter in a car?

Changing your car鈥檚 engine filter usually takes 5 to 10 minutes, depending on how easily you can access the filter housing. 

What happens if you don’t change the air filter in a car?

Nothing good, really. If you ignore it for too long, a clogged air filter can lead to reduced engine performance, lower fuel efficiency, and, in the worst-case scenario, engine damage.

Get Even More Automotive Skills Under Your Belt With 爱神传媒

Learning how to change the air filter in a car isn鈥檛 the most exciting or challenging thing to do, but it is important nonetheless. Now that you know how to change an engine car filter, why not see what else you can do? 

If you鈥檙e looking to learn more hands-on skills, check out the different programs we have available here at 爱神传媒. You鈥檒l spend over half of your time in the shop, learning from experienced instructors and developing real-world skills that prepare you for the workforce from day one.