How To Change Your Air Filter

Changing a clogged air filter has more benefits than one might think. By checking an air filter at least once per year, you can easily avoid poor vehicular performance, higher gas prices and polluted air.

Why Should You Change Your Filter?

There are a number of reasons why you should change a clogged air filter. A clogged air filter can damage the engine, thereby ruining any chance of vehicular longevity. According to the Auto Repair Guide at About.com, the air intake system of your car has an air filter and positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve, both of which are equally important. The air filter in particular acts like any other type of filter, removing foreign particles from the air and replacing fresher, cleaner air. Think of it as an old, clogged water filter – all those impurities usually filtered out are now seeping into your drinking water.

Clogged air filters are equally ineffective. They are bad for your health since, when clogged, they are unable to remove air-borne impurities. They are bad for the environment, as well. The PCV prevents the release of gas fumes. If it becomes clogged or dirty, these fumes are released into the air.

Additionally, clogged air filters can cost you at the gas pump, while having harmful effects on the car's engine. Clogged filters make the engine work harder due to the accumulation of particulate matter. Anything making the engine work harder than it should eventually causes it to deteriorate.

Luckily, changing your car’s air filter is a simple (and inexpensive) process, taking only ten to 15 minutes – no smarmy mechanics involved.

Tools

1.    New air filter
2.    Flathead screwdriver
3.    Pliers

How to Change an Air Filter

1.    First, determine if the air filter is clogged and needs to be changed. Some vehicles come equipped with service indicators letting drivers know when it is time to change the filter. If not, the general rule is to change it at least once or twice per year, or every 15,000 miles. If you live in an especially dusty or polluted environment, you may need to change the air filter more often.

2.    Park the car on flat pavement in the shade and allow the engine to cool down for a few minutes.

3.    Open the hood and locate the air intake system on the engine – it the largest non-metal object you will see, located near the top and center of the engine.

4.    Now open the black, plastic casing housing the air filter by using the flathead screwdriver to pry open the case. The air filter is inside this casing and can be easily identified by its typically bright orange or yellow color.

5.    Remove the air filter. Look at it from all angles to determine whether or not to change it. Also look inside the casing to seek out any accumulations of dirt and dust.

6.    If necessary, clean out the casing and replace it with a new air filter. Replace all screws and cables, close the engine and you are done!

Tip

You might also consider buying a washable air filter. The process for removal is the same, but you can clean the filter with a damp cloth to remove dust and dirt.



Sources:
Air Filters: How to Change Air Filters and How Often. PartSource Auto Parts Pros. 20 October. http://www.partsource.ca/doityourself/tips_air-fil ter.asp/
DIY: How to Change Your Air Filter. About, Inc. 20 October 2006. http://autorepair.com/cs/doityourself/a/bl_air_fil ter.htm/
Memmer, Scott. How To: Change Your Car's Filter's. Edmunds.com.
20 October 2006. http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/howto/articles/43 786/article.html/