How Often Do I Need to Change My Engine Air Filter?

An auto mechanic wearing protective work gloves holds a dirty, clogged air filter over a car engine during general auto maintenance.

Your vehicle’s air filter keeps the air your engine needs to operate clear, and over long periods of time eventually needs to be replaced as the particulates it filters out begin to clog it. Many Minneapolis drivers wonder how often to change the engine air filter, what their car’s air filter replacement schedule is, and when to change the engine air filter in general. The overall answer is every 30,000 to 45,000 miles, or three to five years. Learn more about this topic below, and get in touch with us if you have any questions.

What Does an Engine Air Filter Do?

The engine air filter removes dust and other contaminants from the air entering your engine. This keeps said contaminants from entering the engine and causing damage. Here are some symptoms of a clogged air filter in need of replacement:

  • Sluggish acceleration
  • Misfiring spark plugs
  • Black smoke from the exhaust
  • Service Engine light comes on
  • Lower gas mileage

How to Replace a Car Air Filter: Step by Step

Replacing the air filter of your vehicle is among the very easiest and quickest operations, and comes with virtually no risk of damaging the vehicle. Here’s how one would go about doing it:

  1. Pop open the hood and locate the air filter housing. If you’re unsure of where it is, consult your owner’s manual.
  2. Remove the top of the housing unit on your air filter. You may need a screwdriver to remove the housing. Be sure to wipe off any dirt before opening so that no dirt falls inside.
  3. Once the air filter top is removed, take out the old air filter unit and throw it away.
  4. Place the new air filter in place of the old one, and put the top of the housing unit back on to secure the air filter in place.

Rely on Cornerstone Plymouth to Keep Your Car Running

Now that you know how often a car air filter needs changing, you can help keep your vehicle in optimal condition for your Maple Grove and Minnetonka drives. Remember that if you ever need more comprehensive help, you can contact our service department, or check out our other service tips at any time.

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