How often should the air filter in a sedan be replaced?
4 Answers
According to the car's maintenance manual, it should be replaced every 10,000 to 20,000 kilometers or once a year. It is recommended to clean the air filter every 5,000 kilometers to reduce the formation of throttle sludge. The location of the car's air filter element varies depending on the intake form and the engine's structure. It is generally located in the air filter on the engine's intake pipe. 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: to filter out particulate impurities in the air, ensuring that sufficient clean air enters the cylinder and preventing floating dust from being sucked into the engine, which could accelerate the wear of the piston group and 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. The engine sucks in a large amount of air during operation. 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 cylinder. 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 particles in the air, ensuring that sufficient and clean air enters the cylinder. A dirty air filter: Using a dirty air filter while driving can cause insufficient engine intake, incomplete fuel combustion, leading to unstable engine operation, reduced power, and increased fuel consumption. Therefore, the car's air filter must be kept clean. The car's air filter is a device that removes particulate impurities from the air, consisting of one or more clean air filter components. Its main function is to filter out harmful impurities in the air before it enters the cylinder to reduce early wear of the cylinder, piston, piston rings, valves, and valve seats. Therefore, air must pass through the air filter's fine filtration before entering the cylinder. A 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 little dust and minor blockage, it can be cleaned with high-pressure air from the inside out and continue to be used. Excessively dirty air filters should be replaced promptly.
I've been driving for over 20 years, and when it comes to air filters, don't rigidly follow the manual for replacement. If you mostly drive in the city where there's heavy dust and poor air quality, I recommend checking it every 10,000 kilometers or every six months. If the filter looks dusty, replace it immediately. On highways where the air is cleaner, you can stretch it to 15,000 kilometers or a year. If you don't replace it, the engine will suck in dirty air, leading not only to higher fuel consumption but also potential engine problems. My friend skipped replacing his once, and his fuel consumption shot up, costing him a fortune in repairs. Changing it yourself isn't hard—for most cars, just pop the hood and you'll see the filter box. Pull out the old one gently, buy a new filter, and slot it in. Just remember not to skimp on quality—cheap filters won’t do the job properly.
I believe car maintenance requires careful budgeting, and the replacement interval for air filters should be based on actual conditions. If you frequently drive in dusty areas like rural roads or construction sites, I recommend checking the filter every 7,000-8,000 km or five months—replace it if it's dirty. For highway driving with less dust, you can stretch it to 12,000 km or a year. Neglecting replacement noticeably impacts fuel efficiency. With my family sedan, a clogged filter made the throttle sluggish, adding half a liter per 100 km—costing significantly more in fuel long-term. Plus, DIY replacement saves money—filters cost just tens of RMB, avoiding dealership visits. Beginners needn’t worry; filter locations are usually easy to find (often outlined in manuals), and timely maintenance protects the engine and extends vehicle lifespan.
I often do car maintenance myself, and changing the air filter is not difficult to master. The driving environment determines everything: in dusty or sandy areas, it's best to replace it every six months or 10,000 kilometers, while on clean roads, once a year or 15,000 kilometers is sufficient. Not replacing it causes many issues—a dirty filter restricts airflow, leading to engine shaking, stalling, and sluggish acceleration. I've encountered this problem before and wasted a lot of time before realizing the filter was clogged. If you're handy, you can DIY—just open the housing and check; if it's covered in dirt or blackened, buy a new filter and replace it in five minutes. I recommend also checking the oil and cabin air filter while you're at it to ensure stable car performance. Don’t wait until problems arise to regret it.
