How to Maintain an Air Filter?

[Leila]

Luxgen7 SUV fuel consumption in urban areas

[McCorey]

I've been driving for over a decade and have plenty of experience with air filters. The driving environment matters a lot - if you frequently drive through construction sites or dusty roads, the filter gets dirty much faster. I make it a habit to pop the hood every three months to check. If the filter surface turns black, I replace it immediately. DIY replacement is simple: just remove the plastic cover to access the filter. You can vacuum the dust off, but never wash it with water as that will ruin the paper filter element. Once during a road trip in northwest China, I drove 2,000 km through sandy areas, and the filter was completely clogged when I returned - thankfully I checked in time. Long-term neglect can make the engine work harder to breathe, significantly increasing fuel consumption, and in severe cases may cause carbon buildup. Nowadays I stock up on OEM filters during e-commerce sales - a replacement only takes about twenty minutes.

[SanJames]

Last time I went to the 4S shop for maintenance, the technician taught me a method to check the air filter. The lifespan of the filter is most related to the driving environment. For city driving, it's sufficient to replace it every 10,000 kilometers or every six months. They use a high-pressure air gun to blow dust from the inside of the filter outward, which can remove 80% of the dust, but this method can be used at most twice before a new filter is required. In humid areas, special attention must be paid to mold growth on the filter. Moldy filters can produce odors and even breed bacteria. The maintenance manual states that for ordinary car models, the price of an air filter is just a few tens of yuan, which is much cheaper than repairing an engine. I always keep a spare filter in my car, and replacing it myself is very convenient—just unclip the fastener, remove the old filter, and insert the new one according to the pattern.

[LeMelanie]

The air filter acts like a mask for the engine. Poor filtration can compromise the entire intake system. I make it a must-check during every 5,000 km maintenance, especially in spring when willow catkins are abundant—the filter surface gets completely clogged with fluff. Shine a strong flashlight through the filter pleats; if light penetration is poor, it's time for a replacement. An experienced veteran driver once taught me a handy trick: gently tap the filter with a screwdriver handle to shake off accumulated dust. But be careful not to strike too hard and puncture the filter paper. Replacement intervals depend on the vehicle model. Turbocharged cars have higher intake requirements—my friend neglected his turbocharged (T) car's filter for 30,000 km, resulting in carbon buildup in the turbocharger. For frequent highway driving, it's advisable to self-check at service areas. A clogged filter will feel hot to the touch, and the engine sound will become muffled.