How often should the car engine filter be replaced?
2 Answers
Car engine filters should be replaced approximately every 20,000 kilometers. The function of the car engine filter is to remove impurities, gum, and moisture from the engine oil, delivering clean oil to various lubrication points. The functions of engine oil include: 1. Lubrication to reduce wear; 2. Assisting the radiator in cooling the engine; 3. Flushing away dirt from engine components; 4. Buffering the load on connecting rods and crankshaft bearings; 5. Preventing external contaminants from entering. Signs that indicate the need for an oil change include: 1. Checking the oil viscosity—if there is no viscosity, the oil needs to be replaced; 2. The oil color turns black; 3. Excessive black particles, metal shavings, or carbon deposits in the oil; 4. The oil has an unusual smell.
Every time I service my car, I pay special attention to the replacement timing of the engine air filter. Generally, the car manual recommends replacing it every 15,000 to 20,000 kilometers or once a year, but this definitely depends on your daily environment. For example, I live in the city and mainly drive on paved roads with less dust, so replacing it once a year might be fine. If you frequently drive on construction sites or rural dirt roads with more dust, you might need to check it earlier, say every 10,000 kilometers. Just pop open the hood and take a look at the filter—if it's black and greasy, it's time to replace it immediately. Don’t underestimate this small task; failing to replace it on time can allow impurities to enter the engine, affecting acceleration and fuel consumption, and even shortening the engine’s lifespan. Once, I got lazy and delayed it, and the engine light came on, costing me a few hundred bucks to fix a minor issue. So it’s better to develop a good habit—next time you service your car, ask the mechanic for advice to avoid regrets.
