How often should the air filter be replaced?
3 Answers
The air filter should normally be replaced according to the maintenance manual or usage conditions, generally every 20,000 to 60,000 kilometers. If the driving mileage is low, it is recommended to replace it every 12 months. The location of the car's air filter element varies depending on the intake form and the engine's structure. The function of the air filter: It filters out particulate impurities in the air, ensuring that a sufficient amount of clean air enters the cylinder, preventing floating dust in the air from being sucked into the engine, which would accelerate the wear of the piston group and the cylinder. Air filter element: It is a type of filter, also known as an air filter cartridge, air cleaner, or style. It is mainly used in engineering vehicles, cars, agricultural vehicles, laboratories, sterile operating rooms, and various precision operating rooms as an air filter. During operation, the engine inhales a large amount of air. If the air is not filtered, the suspended dust in the air will be sucked into the cylinder, accelerating the wear of the piston group and the cylinder. Larger particles entering between the piston and the cylinder can cause severe cylinder scoring, which is particularly serious in dry and sandy working environments. The air cleaner is installed in front of the carburetor or intake pipe to filter out dust and sand particles in the air, ensuring that sufficient and clean air enters the cylinder. A dirty air cleaner: Using a dirty air cleaner while driving can cause insufficient engine intake, incomplete fuel combustion, leading to unstable engine operation, reduced power, and increased fuel consumption. Therefore, the car must keep the air cleaner clean. The car air cleaner is a device that removes particulate impurities from the air, consisting of one or several components that clean the air. Its main function is to filter out harmful impurities in the air that is about to enter the cylinder, to reduce early wear of the cylinder, piston, piston rings, valves, and valve seats. Therefore, before the air enters the cylinder, it must pass through the fine filtration of the air cleaner. A dirty air cleaner can cause poor engine performance, excessive fuel consumption, and engine damage. When inspecting the air cleaner, if it is found to have little dust and is lightly clogged, it can be cleaned by blowing high-pressure air from the inside out and continue to be used. A heavily dirty air cleaner should be replaced promptly.
I've been driving for years, mainly commuting in the suburbs where there's plenty of greenery but also a lot of road dust. If the air filter gets dirty and isn't replaced in time, at best the engine will lose power and fuel consumption will increase, and at worst it will affect the combustion system, leading to costly repairs. I always check it myself, replacing it every 10,000 kilometers or every six months. It's simple: open the hood, locate the rectangular filter box, and unclip it to inspect. If the dust buildup is too thick, use compressed air to blow it out; if that doesn't work, order a new filter online and replace it—it only costs around 30-40 yuan. Don’t underestimate it—this thing filters out impurities to protect the engine. If you drive in dirty environments like construction sites, it’s recommended to replace it more frequently, say every 8,000 kilometers. Once you make it a habit, your car will run smoothly and save you money on fuel.
As a car owner, I don't think changing the air filter needs to be too dogmatic. The standard recommendation is every 10,000 to 15,000 kilometers or once a year, but it depends on actual conditions. For example, living by the sea with clean air, changing it once a year is sufficient; but during heavy smog days, it's better to act early to prevent problems. The filter costs just a few dollars, and DIY replacement is super easy: open the box, replace it, and put it back—done in five minutes. It saves money and time while avoiding garage fees. The key is that not changing it has big downsides: the engine inhaling impurities can shorten its lifespan, and fuel consumption may inexplicably increase. I always keep a new filter at home, checking it when I notice odd smells from the AC or reduced power. Smart maintenance is the way to save money.
