Car Maintenance 101: Replacing an Air Filter

The air filter is a crucial yet often overlooked component of a vehicle. Replacing a vehicle’s air filter on a regular basis is an important part of keeping the engine running to its potential. If you have had your vehicle’s oil changed at the typical quick oil change service station, you may have been told by a technician that your air filter needed to be replaced, a service which of course incurs an additional cost. Such offers lead many people to wonder, does my vehicle really need this service, or does the station really want my money? Maybe both, but paying a premium for such a simple task is unnecessary. Even if you do not know the first thing about working on vehicles, you can easily replace your air filter with minimal money and time.

First, why is an air filter so important? A vehicle’s engine takes in air, mixes it with gas and compresses the mixture inside its cylinders. As the mixture is compressed to its densest point, it is ignited by a spark plug, firing the pistons down into the cylinders. When all of the components are functioning as they should, this process makes the driveshaft propel the vehicle down the road. Efficient vehicle performance requires a precise mixture of air and gas, and the air filter is responsible for removing unwanted particles such as dirt, bugs and other debris from the air before it enters the engine. A dirty, clogged air filter can affect the life of the engine and result in sub par vehicle performance and decreased fuel economy, costing you money in the long run.

Changing the air filter in your vehicle likely requires nothing more than a standard screwdriver, and maybe not even that! Before you begin, make sure the engine has cooled if you have driven the vehicle recently. Locate the air filter, which is in a black plastic encasement, usually near the top of the engine but possibly to the side. Next, open the case, which may be attached by clips or screws, depending on the vehicle. Before you remove your used air filter, observe the way it is positioned and secured to make inserting the new filter simpler. Air filters vary, but typically consist of a pleated paper center with a synthetic material gasket for sealing. As you place the new air filter in the same position as the one you removed, ensure that you press the gasket on the filter securely into the groove for which it is designed. Then, close the plastic case securely, and you are done. If the case will not close, the air filter has not been inserted properly and should be reexamined.

Replacing your air filter yourself takes only a few minutes, but saves you money and improves the performance of your vehicle.

About the Author: Greg Chapman, of Greg Chapman Motors, is a leading Austin used car dealer. For more information please visit Greg Chapman Motors.