How to Change Your Car's Air Filter

A car engine requires a precise amount of fuel and air for optimal performance. Air filters pull harmful particles like sand, dust, and pollen from the air that would otherwise get to the engine to cause expensive damage.

Over time the air filter becomes full of dirt and unwanted particles and needs replacement. A faulty air filter restricts airflow and can hinder your engine's performance and fuel economy. Fortunately, changing the air filter is fairly easy and takes less than five minutes, even for inexperienced drivers.

Below is a quick and easy guide to replacing your car's air filter.

Buy a Replacement Filter

Get to a reputable auto parts store and pick up a new air filter. To buy the right air filter for your vehicle, you'll need to know you're the year, make, and model of your car. Your owner's manual may also have details on the right filter for your car. 

Pop the Hood and Locate the Air Filter Housing

Before you pop up the hood, park your car in the shade and on flat ground so that you will be able to stand and move more comfortably. Let your engine cool down if you've been driving.

You can open the hood after you've taken all necessary precautions. With the hood open, the air box is easy to spot. The filter box should be on top of or to the side of the engine with a giant hose sticking out of its side. The air box is a roundish clunky plastic casing in older cars, but it is square or rectangular in newer vehicles. Again, use your owner's manual to reference exactly where your air filter is.

Open the Air Filter Casing

You'll need a screwdriver to open the air filter casing, as most casings have screws. Unscrew the airbox and lift the top off. If you don't see any screws, don't fret; some car models have clamps instead. 

With such a model, you can use a butter knife or a flat-headed screwdriver to pry the clamping clips off around the case's perimeter.

Pull Out and Inspect the Air Filter

The old filter is now visible, and it should lift right out of the casing. The size, shape, and appearance of the filter may vary depending on the make and model of your car. Typically the filter should have a colored paper filter element with rubber edges to seal it against the casing.

If stuck, you can pop the filter out with a spatula or a butter knife.

At this point, you can perform a visual inspection of the old air filter. One sure-fire sign the filter needs replacement is a color change to grey. A lot of dirt inside the filter folds also means the filter is not in good working condition.

Your air filter housing may be dusty depending on when you last replaced it, as well as your driving habits. Before installing the new air filter, vacuum out any dirt inside the housing.

Install the New Air Filter

Make sure your new replacement filter is the right size by comparing it to the old one. Fit the new filter snuggly in the filter box the right way. The wavy paper side should be facing down or towards the vehicle's exterior where air passes through. Finally, clip the lid back and ensure it's not loose.

As demonstrated, replacing your air filter is easy and will save you a few bucks if you do it yourself. Knowing how to check and replace your filter will ensure your car's engine is in top working condition. As a preventive measure, inspect your air filter periodically to make sure it's in good working condition.

Contact us at Padco Auto Parts for any vehicle parts that you need, whether you're changing them yourself or supplying them to your local garage. Our team of experts is on hand to assist with any questions and provide valuable advice so you can learn more about your car.