How Often Should the Car Engine Air Filter Be Replaced?

[Lulu]

Replacing the engine air filter is one of the most common routine maintenance tasks. It is recommended to replace the filter after a certain mileage, typically every 10,000 kilometers or 6 months. Here is more information about the air filter: 1. During operation, the engine inhales a large amount of air. If the air is not filtered, suspended dust particles in the air can enter the cylinders, accelerating the wear of 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 at the front of the intake pipe to filter out dust and sand particles, ensuring that sufficient clean air enters the cylinders. 2. Among the countless components of a car, the air filter is an inconspicuous part because it does not directly affect the car's technical performance. However, in practical use, the air filter significantly impacts the lifespan of the car, especially the engine. 3. On one hand, without the filtering effect of the air filter, the engine would inhale large amounts of dust-laden air, leading to severe cylinder wear. On the other hand, if not maintained for a long time, the filter element can become clogged with dust, reducing its filtering capacity and obstructing airflow, resulting in an overly rich air-fuel mixture and causing the engine to malfunction. 4. Generally, it is recommended to replace the air filter every 10,000 kilometers or 6 months, one at a time. However, maintenance cycles may vary by brand, so the specific replacement schedule should be based on the car manufacturer's recommendations and your usage conditions and environment. For example, in areas with severe smog, it is best to replace the filter every 3 months.