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Car question

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sigurros81

Platinum Member
Hi guys, I'm kind of a motor vehicle noob, I have a question I was hoping someone can help me with.

I got my oil changed last weekend and the guy said I need to replace my filter. Anyway, I was driving last night and my check engine light came on. I drove to Autozone and bought a new filter, the thing is, when I put the new filter back in, one of the clasps for the filter cover could not be clasped back on, I don't have the leverage to do it and the sucker is kind of tucked in the back.

My question is, I got 3 of the 4 clasps on, just the 4th isn't, and my car engine light is still on. Can a clasp not being on be the cause of the engine light still? Or is it because sometimes I need to get the light reset?
 
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You should be replacing the oil filter every time you change the oil. No exceptions.

The check engine light might not be related to the oil filter. You need to find out for sure.

How do you not know these things?
 
sixone said:
You should be replacing the oil filter every time you change the oil. No exceptions.

The check engine light might not be related to the oil filter. You need to find out for sure.

How do you not know these things?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know it could be anything, I'm just wondering if it could also be because of the clasp not being on.
 
sixone said:
You should be replacing the oil filter every time you change the oil. No exceptions.

The check engine light might not be related to the oil filter. You need to find out for sure.

How do you not know these things?
Click to expand...
He's referring to his air filter.

How do you not know these things?
 
The air filter is probably not related to your engine light. Go to AZ/Advance and have them pull the code and post it here.

Also the oil change places always tell you to replace the air filter and other stuff that is not needed. So be careful of that.
 
That won't cause a check engine light. You can run no filter at all and it still wont trip the CEL. You'll have to get the code read and many auto parts stores will do it for free, unless you're in CA.
 
You need to pull codes from the OBDII port to find out what the CEL is on for. Assuming it even has one. You didn't mention what year make or model it is. That is, after you've checked the simple/obvious stuff like loose has cap as others previously mentioned.

If you don't know how to do that, take it in to a mechanic.
 
SpatiallyAware said:
Also, generally when you can't connect one of those clips it's due to the filter being twisted or pinched.
Click to expand...

I found out (the hard way) that the non-Mazda brand air filters for the NC Miata are incorrectly designed. The generic brands are too big by a few millimeters all around. 😵 I mention this because there is a small chance that the filter purchased by the OP is poorly-designed for his car.

To the OP: As others have said, go back to Autozone and have them scan the code to see if it is a simple issue like the gas filler cap. And while they are at your car checking the code, ask nicely if they can help you with that last clip. You could get lucky!

Generally speaking, those air filters can go a couple of years between replacement. Unscrupulous shops often recommend changing them because it's an easy profit item.
 
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