How often should the Leiling air filter be replaced?
3 Answers
According to the car's maintenance manual, it is generally recommended to replace the air filter every 15,000 kilometers or 9 months. The location of the air filter varies depending on the intake form and engine 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. Function of the air filter: To filter out particulate impurities in the air, ensuring that sufficient clean air enters the cylinders, and preventing floating dust from being sucked into the engine, which could accelerate the wear of piston assemblies and cylinders. Air filter: It is a type of filter, also known as an air filter cartridge, air cleaner, or air element. It is mainly used in engineering vehicles, cars, agricultural vehicles, laboratories, sterile operating rooms, and various precision operating rooms. 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 cylinders, accelerating the wear of piston assemblies 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 in front of the carburetor or intake pipe to filter out dust and sand particles from the air, ensuring sufficient and clean air enters the cylinders. Dirty air filter: Using an excessively 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, it is essential to keep the air filter clean. The car air filter is a device that removes particulate impurities from the air, consisting of one or several air-cleaning filter components. Its main function is to filter out harmful impurities from the air entering the cylinders to reduce early wear of the cylinders, pistons, piston rings, valves, and valve seats. Thus, before air enters the cylinders, it must pass through the fine filtration of the air filter. A dirty air filter can cause poor engine performance, excessive fuel consumption, and engine damage. When inspecting the air filter, if the dust accumulation is minimal and the blockage is light, it can be cleaned by blowing compressed air from the inside out and reused. Excessively dirty air filters should be replaced promptly.
As a long-time Toyota Levin owner who mainly uses the car for commuting in dusty urban areas, changing the air filter is quite important. The general recommendation is to replace it every 10,000 km or once a year, but based on my experience, it depends on actual usage: in suburban areas or places with clean air, you can extend the interval slightly; for city driving, I suggest checking it every 8,000 km. A heavily clogged filter can make it harder for the engine to breathe, increasing fuel consumption, reducing power, and in severe cases, damaging internal components. I learned to replace it myself—the process is simple. Just use a screwdriver to open the filter box on the engine bay side, remove the old one, and install a new compatible filter. The whole process takes less than ten minutes and costs just a few dozen yuan, compared to an extra 100-200 yuan at a dealership. A helpful tip: checking the filter before and after the rainy season prevents moisture and mold, saving hassle and fuel while extending your car's lifespan.
I've always enjoyed DIY car maintenance, especially small tasks like changing the air filter—it's just so satisfying. The official recommendation for the Levin's air filter replacement is every 12,000 kilometers or about once a year, but you need to be flexible—I drive in dusty areas, so I change mine every 8,000 kilometers. The air filter plays a crucial role in blocking dust and protecting the engine from wear. If you don't replace it, acceleration becomes sluggish and fuel consumption increases. When buying a filter, go for a reputable brand—it only costs a few dozen bucks. Installation is a breeze—just check the manual or an online video: pop the hood, remove the filter box cover, pull out the old filter, insert the new one, and seal it properly—no tools needed. I recommend every car owner learn this trick—it saves money and time, and you can also take the opportunity to inspect other parts of the engine. The car will run smoother and with more power.
