How Often Should the Air Filter in a New Car Be Replaced?
2 Answers
According to the car's maintenance manual, it is generally recommended to replace the air filter every 20,000 to 60,000 kilometers. If the car is driven less frequently, it is advisable to replace it every 12 months. The location of the car's air filter element varies depending on the intake method and the engine's structure. There are two types of air filters in cars: dry and wet. Dry filters are made of paper or organic materials, while wet filters are made of metal mesh. 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. It prevents floating dust in the air from being sucked into the engine, which could accelerate the wear of the piston group and the cylinder. Air filter: 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 sucks in 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, 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 particles in the air, ensuring that a sufficient amount of clean air enters the cylinder. Using an excessively dirty air filter while driving can cause insufficient engine intake, leading to incomplete fuel combustion. This results in 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. It consists of one or several air filter components. Its main function is to filter out harmful impurities in the air before it enters the cylinder, thereby reducing early wear of the cylinder, piston, piston rings, valves, and valve seats. Therefore, before air enters the cylinder, it must pass through the fine filtration of the air filter. An excessively dirty air filter can cause poor engine performance, excessive fuel consumption, and engine damage. When inspecting the air filter, if it is found to have minimal dust and light blockage, it can be cleaned by blowing compressed air from the inside out and reused. Excessively dirty air filters should be replaced promptly.
I remember when I first bought my new car, I was quite concerned about the air filter. After driving for half a year, the manual suggested replacing it every 15,000 kilometers or once a year. But living in the city with constant smog and heavy dust, I checked it with a flashlight after just 10,000 kilometers and found it completely blackened, so I replaced it immediately. After that, the car started up much quicker and even felt more energetic than when it was brand new. If you drive in rural areas or near construction sites where there’s even more dust, you should check the filter every six months or 8,000 kilometers to avoid clogging and affecting the engine’s breathing. Over time, a dirty filter in a new car can impact fuel efficiency. Replacing it isn’t expensive—just 10 to 20 yuan—and you can do it yourself or visit a 4S shop. Regular maintenance really does extend your car’s lifespan and reduces repair hassles.
