Car Air Filters

[edro]

You know how the oil change guys always try to get you to buy a new air filter?

Should I really change it every so many miles? 3,000, 10,000?

I seriously doubt I have changed mine in the last 25,000 miles

Does it really do anything?

 

[tm37]

well they filter the air

more air means better fule economy

forget how often

 

[bleeb]

yes... it filters crap entering your combustion chambers and eventually the whole engine. replace it when they recommend.. more often depending on conditions where you live.

 

[dandruff]

well changing the air filter is not a bad idea .. interval depends on where you drive ... i visit construction sites so i change every 7,500 miles ... for the cabin/ pollen filter I change every 20K miles ...

 

[jlee]

Take a look at it & see what it looks like. If it's nasty, replace it.

I have to clean mine soon..I keep forgetting about it..

 

[compnovice]

Nah..... You should also use the same filter for all your cigarettes.....

 

[DurocShark]

Don't change it. Cars like a permanent choke.

 

[Eli]

It does not need to be changed as much as oil and oil filters.

Every 25,000 miles is not unreasonble.

Like other things though, it depends on your environment. If you live in a very dry, dusty environment.. consider changing it a bit more often.

 

[JulesMaximus]

25k miles? I'd change it.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
25k miles? I'd change it.

Yeah, it probably needs to be changed. He'll probably be able to notice the difference.

 

[kitkat22]

Ditto on the changing bit, but I wouldn't go with the oil change people. It is cheaper and almost as easy to do it yourself. Just ask the front desk people at your local autoparts store and get the reference number for you vehicle. Seriously for the most part the replacement involves a max of 4 screws, pull out the old, put in the new, and replace screws. I would change it every time they say you should. Air is absolutely vital to the optimal running of a car. I would change it every 6000-9000miles or about every 3 oil changes.

 

[kranky]

If you get 30 mpg, you are spending about 8 cents/mile for gas. Putting in a new $5 filter every 10,000 miles costs you about 5/100 cents per mile. If that filter lets you get 1 mpg more, it's paying for itself five times over.

If you get less than 30 mpg, your savings is even higher. If you get more than 1 mpg benefit, your savings is again even higher. Some say that if your air filter is really dirty you'll get 10% more mileage if you replace it.

And replacing an air filter is one of the easiest things you can do. Don't pay the oil change place to do it.

 

[edro]

Well, I went down and bought one. I have replaced them in the past, but the screws are so corroded and tight that I can't get them off with a screw driver Now where the hell is my socket set

 

[bernse]

I'd change it every 10K. Cheap insurance. More often if you drive in dusty enviroments (gravel roads, etc).

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: bernse
I'd change it every 10K. Cheap insurance. More often if you drive in dusty enviroments (gravel roads, etc).

Ideally, you should change it whenever you notice your MPG drop.

Changing your filter too often may not necessarily be a good thing, but shouldn't matter too much as long as your dilligent with your other maintenance.

 

[daveymark]

Does anyone know how to maintain a K&N filter? the car I bought came with one

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: daveymark
Does anyone know how to maintain a K&N filter? the car I bought came with one

Buy a K&N recharge kit for ~$10, and clean it every 50,000 miles or so.

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: edro13
Well, I went down and bought one. I have replaced them in the past, but the screws are so corroded and tight that I can't get them off with a screw driver Now where the hell is my socket set

Once you get those out, invest in stainless steel hex head screws to replace them with. It'll cost you less than $1 at a hardware store, and will be well worth it the next time you replace that filter.

I usually change my air filter every 15,000 or so.

 

[lobadobadingdong]

k&N owns, I only have to do a re-charge every 65k with my style of driving and the conditions of this area. (spent $45 on a lifetime filter instead of $20 twice a year = better performance and economy, all while costing less in the long run)

 

[bernse]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: bernse
I'd change it every 10K. Cheap insurance. More often if you drive in dusty enviroments (gravel roads, etc).

Ideally, you should change it whenever you notice your MPG drop.

Changing your filter too often may not necessarily be a good thing, but shouldn't matter too much as long as your dilligent with your other maintenance.

Milage drops are generally a slow process that you don't notice happening until it's really bad. For what they're worth for most cars, I still say change it every 10K or less.. or every 3 oil changes at least.. but hey, that's just me.

 

[Analog]

I usually use a shop light. If the light is severely blocked when shining through, change filter.

 

[Vette73]

People over change their air filters way to much. easy test is hold it up to the sun. If you can see clear light coming throw the folds it is fine. if the light is broken or hard to see, then replace it. Most air filters should last 30K easy. Take them out every 10k and lightly dust them out to get rid of the big stuff and you will be ok.

 

[bootymac]

Get a K&N rechargable drop in panel. Best investment evar

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: bootymac
Get a K&N rechargable drop in panel. Best investment evar

Not if longevity is your first priority.

 

[edro]

I found my socket set and I replaced it with a Purolator (Advance Auto had them and K&N). $15 for Purolator, $35 for K&N, but they were out of stock on the K&N. (Not that I would have bought it anyway )