When Should You Change Your Car’s Engine Air Filter?

February 17th, 2023 by
when should you change your car's engine air filter?
Know when you should change your car’s engine air filter at Frank Leta Honda.

A bad engine air filter may cause a variety of issues in your vehicle. The first item that you might notice would be decreased fuel efficiency. A bad air filter makes the engine work harder, and that means more fuel is being consumed. Along with worse gas mileage, you might also feel worse performance, engine misfires, and even the Check Engine Light. If you go too long without replacing it, you may even see black smoke spewing from the tailpipes, and worse yet, in severe cases, the engine might stall. To make sure your engine is running correctly, you should periodically check and replace the air filter when necessary. In many situations, replacing the engine air filter can be added as part of the routine maintenance schedule, which generally includes items like oil changes, timing belts, and transmission fluid flushes. Keeping your car in prime condition should result in extra years of service.



Is It Expensive To Replace A Failing Air Filter?

What’s The Cost To Replace An Air Filter?

Like the replacement interval, the price to replace an air filter can vary based on the engine size, vehicle manufacturer, and age of your vehicle. As consumers, there are several options to get air filters online and in auto parts stores, we strongly recommend buying and installing the air filter made by the manufacturer. Ultimately, the cost to replace an air filter is quite small, but regularly replacing it can add to the longevity of the engine.

What is The Job of An Air Filter?

How Does An Engine Air Filter Work?

An air filter is a safety mechanism that helps filter out contaminants like dirt or even rocks before they enter the air intake and potentially cause problems. Even tiny pieces of dust can be harmful to your engine performance and cause damage. Engines are designed with specially-calculated air-fuel mixture ratios to ensure optimal performance. If the engine has a worn air filter, it could negatively affect those calculations. Replacing worn engine air filters provides cheap insurance to help ensure your engine runs as efficiently and smoothly as possible.

How Long Can An Air Filter Last?

How Long Does Air Filter Last?

Several factors determine the lifespan of the engine air filter. The engine size, driving habits, and even the weather can play a significant role in how long your air filter might last. If you live in a rather dusty area, then the engine air filter needs to be changed more frequently than a car that lives in a climate-controlled garage when not being driven. Ultimately, each make and model will have its own specific replacement schedule from the factory.


Schedule St. Louis Auto Service

Frank Leta Honda is one of the best places to get St. Louis auto repair and service. Visit us in person or online if your vehicle shows any signs of needing to have the engine filter changed. No matter the make or model of your vehicle, our helpful staff is ready to serve you.

Posted in Service