Where is the Air Filter in a Sedan?
2 Answers
The location of the air filter element in a car depends on the intake form and the structure of the engine. Generally, it is located in the air cleaner on the engine intake pipe. There are two types of air filters in cars: dry and wet. The dry type is made of paper or organic materials, while the wet type is made of metal mesh. The air filter should be replaced every 10,000 to 20,000 kilometers or during each maintenance interval. However, it is recommended to clean the air filter every 5,000 kilometers to reduce the formation of throttle sludge. The function of the air filter: to filter out particulate impurities in the air, ensuring that sufficient clean air enters the cylinder and preventing airborne dust from being sucked into the engine, which accelerates 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 as an air filter. 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 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 cleaner is installed in front of the carburetor or intake pipe to filter out dust and sand particles from the air, ensuring that sufficient and clean air enters the cylinder. 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 air filter must be kept clean. The car air cleaner is a device that removes particulate impurities from the air, consisting of one or several components that clean the air. Its main function is to filter out harmful impurities from the air before it enters the cylinder, reducing early wear of the cylinder, piston, piston rings, valves, and valve seats. Therefore, before air enters the cylinder, it must first pass through the fine filtration of the air cleaner. A dirty air cleaner can cause poor engine performance, excessive fuel consumption, and engine damage. When inspecting the air cleaner, if it is found to have little dust and minor blockage, it can be cleaned by blowing compressed air from the inside out and reused. A severely dirty air filter should be replaced promptly.
The car's air filter is generally installed inside the air filter box located in the engine compartment, which can be seen by opening the hood. Its position is usually near the front of the vehicle, such as behind the radiator or below the windshield, housed in a plastic box with clips. I often replace it myself because it's designed to draw air from the intake grille, filter it, and then send it into the engine. If it gets dirty or clogged, the engine struggles to breathe, acceleration slows down, and fuel consumption increases. The location varies slightly depending on the car model—Japanese cars often have it on the left, while German cars may place it on the right. It's recommended to check it every 10,000–20,000 km; if the filter looks dirty, it's time for a replacement. Doing it yourself is simple: locate the box, unclip it, replace the old filter with a new one, and save on labor costs. Regular maintenance protects the engine from dust damage, avoids major repairs, and extends the car's lifespan, offering great cost-effectiveness. Don’t forget to check the user manual for the exact location, as some cars may hide it in a concealed spot.
