How often should a car's air filter be replaced?
2 Answers
The air filter is normally replaced according to the maintenance manual or usage conditions, generally every 10,000-20,000 kilometers or once a year. If the driving conditions are dusty, it should be replaced based on inspection results, typically checked every six months. During inspection, clean any debris around the air filter to reduce throttle sludge buildup. Function of the air filter: To filter out particulate impurities in the air, ensuring that sufficient clean air enters the cylinders and preventing airborne dust from being sucked into the engine, which can accelerate wear on the piston group and cylinders. Air filter: A type of filter, also known as an air cartridge, air cleaner, or air element. It is mainly used in engineering vehicles, cars, agricultural vehicles, laboratories, sterile operating rooms, and various precision operating rooms as an air filtration device. During operation, the engine inhales a large amount of air. If the air is not filtered, airborne dust entering the cylinders can accelerate wear on the piston group and cylinders. Larger particles entering between the piston and cylinder can cause severe cylinder scoring, especially in dry and sandy working environments. The air filter is installed in front of the carburetor or intake pipe to filter out dust and sand from the air, ensuring sufficient and clean air enters the cylinders. Dirty air filter: Using an excessively dirty air filter while driving can cause insufficient engine air intake, leading to incomplete fuel combustion, unstable engine operation, reduced power, and increased fuel consumption. Therefore, it is essential to keep the air filter clean. The car air filter is a device that removes particulate impurities from the air, consisting of one or more components that clean the air. Its main function is to filter out harmful impurities from the air entering the cylinders to reduce early wear on the cylinders, pistons, piston rings, valves, and valve seats. Thus, air must pass through the fine filtration of the air filter before entering the cylinders. An excessively dirty air filter can cause poor engine performance, excessive fuel consumption, and engine damage. When inspecting the air filter, if minimal dust and light clogging are found, it can be cleaned using high-pressure air blown from the inside out and reused. Severely dirty air filters should be replaced promptly.
The question of air filter replacement timing is quite common. I drive an old family car, and experience tells me that changing it every 15,000 to 30,000 kilometers or once a year is the most reliable. If I often drive on muddy country roads or get stuck in traffic daily in big cities where the air is particularly dirty, I might need to shorten the interval to every 10,000 kilometers. Otherwise, the engine will suck in too much dust, leading to weaker performance and increased fuel consumption. Last time, I procrastinated a bit, and the throttle response became sluggish, costing me unnecessary repair expenses. Don’t just rely on the manual—check it yourself during routine maintenance. If the filter is blackened, thickened, or deformed, it’s time for a replacement. It’s a simple DIY job, so don’t wait until a major repair to wake up. Also, remember that filter quality matters—don’t cheap out on low-quality ones, as they affect filtration efficiency and overall driving comfort.
