6 Common Air Filter Questions

Drivers have many common air filter questions. An air filter is something that needs routine maintenance as it performs an important job. Below are some common questions and answers about air filter and it's uses. 

1. What Is an Air Filter's Job?

A vehicle's air filter is a replaceable component of the intake system. As a motor runs, air comes in through the air intake and travels through the air cleaner. Gas is then added to the air that has passed through the air filter, and the air/gas mixture is compressed inside the cylinder. As the pressure builds in the cylinder, the spark plug fires, which in turn ignites the air/gas mixture, and forces the piston down into the cylinder. The piston turns the motor. So the air filter provides clean air to the gas, however, dirt builds up in the air filter, thus reducing the amount of air for the air/gas mixture, which can choke an engine and reduce gas mileage.

2. How Often Should I Change My Air Filter?

A person should change the filter before the car performance is jeopardized. A dirty air filter will hurt fuel economy, performance and emissions. The factory recommends that the air filter is changed every 30,000 to 60,000 miles, however your everyday driving conditions will make a difference. Obviously some people will need to change their air filter more often if they live on a rural dirt road. The best advice is to inspect the air filter at every oil change, which should be every 3,000 miles, and replace the filter as needed.  

3. How Do I Know If My Air Filter Needs to Be Changed?

Visual inspection is a sufficient and most common method for determining air filter replacement. A person just need to remove the air filter and see whether the air filter is clean or dirty. A person can also remove the filter and tap the filter with a screwdriver. If you see dirt falling from the air cleaner, it needs to be replaced.

4. How Do I Change My Car's Air Filter?

Every car and vehicle is different. The following advice is for the majority of cars, but always consult your owner's manual for information on how to replace your air filter. Remember to always wear protective eye wear and gloves when repairing a vehicle. First, locate the air filter housing. The air filter housing can be identified by looking for the air intake tube at the engine. Next, the air filter housing typically has retainer clips or screw. Remove the clips or screws and then the air filter housing top. Replace the old filter with a new filter and reassemble.

5. Why Can't I Clean and Reuse My Old Air Filter?

As the filter is made from paper, water can damage the filter.

6. What Is the Difference Between a Discount Air Filter and a Factory Air Filter?

The difference between a factory air filter or Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and a discount air filter is basically in the specifications, such as the micron count of the material used and filter material surface area. Factory air filters use a smaller amount of micron count, however, performance air filters use more.

Changing the air filter is an important part of maintaining a car to extend the life longevity.